Lots of Piggies!

Question
Hello!   I currently have 16 Guinea pigs. We have a 18 foot by 3 foot cage in our living room. Is it OK to play musical Guinea Pigs? Sometimes Ive noticed that they are more active after a change in playmate.

 Also I have 2 Guinea pigs that "Cough" once in awhile. They eat like crazy, good potty habits and are vocal when I bring on the treats (kale, Carrots, apples and an occasional melon) Ive brought one in for a dislocated leg,(he popcorned off his ramp) and other than that the vet didnt find anything else.. Can GP's get dry throat? The cages are carpeted and we use litter boxes with the dried pulp bedding. (All but the babies use the litter boxes which are actually cake pans) They are a lil pudgy.. I am too! could that be part of the problem? AND is it OK to have so many Guinea Pigs?  Thanks a Bunch!

Answer
Missy --

Wow!  For a non-breeder, you do have a lot of animals.  One thing you want to make sure is that all your animals, if they are housed together, are healthy.  If you have one that you even suspect is ill, I would remove it from the group cage.  Now about gender ... hopefully, all your animals are the same gender or neutered, right?  It's probably not a good idea to cross-breed in a large colony like this.  As a colony, it sounds as though you have enough space, although I would not get too many more animals.  Remember, each guinea pig, at a minimum, needs at least 1 1/2 sq. ft. of cage.  You're okay for right now, but if you get too many more, it will be over crowded.  Also, please be aware of how clean you keep the cage.  Since it is in your living area, you are running the risk of air quality problems.  Keep the cage as immaculate as possible.

Now, about the coughing.  I would say that as long as everything else is normal and it's only an occasional thing, you are okay.  Just please be careful that if you notice a change in health that you COMPLETELY isolate the ill animal.  When I mean isolate, I mean in a different area of the home, not just a different cage.

As for the pudgy, I would recommend that you cut down on the treats a little bit, especially if you start noticing that some of your animals are slowing down.  Guinea pigs are very apt to weight problems because they don't know when to stop eating.  Portion control is important!

I hope this answers all your questions.  If you have any more, please feel free to contact me.  Good luck!

Lorena