A TikToker has offered insight into his controversial hobby which includes giving his guinea pigs an entire bedroom – and spending £1,000 a year on them.

Ben Males, 26, an AV technician from Neath, Wales, has had as many as nine guinea pigs, but currently owns five: Frankie, Peanut, Hugo, Paco and Baby Moose – all guinea pigs.

In 2017, he purchased his first two fluffy pals and while he initially had all the equipment needed to give them a happy life, he wanted to make things better for them.

Soon, he began researching and joined multiple groups on social media, as well as ringing experts who informed him that most store-bought cages are "too small" for pets.

After discovering this shocking revelation, he rescued as many guinea pigs as possible until he had nine in total running around – leading him to upsize his current home, as there was no room left.

Now, the guinea pigs are living a life of luxury after being gifted their very own bedroom to play in – with Ben claiming he's spent over £1,000 per year on their lavish lifestyle.

"I've probably sent about £1,000 this year [on them]," Ben told said.

"It's quite a bit to spend on them, but as I've bought reusable bedding [online] this can help to reduce my costs later on.

"It's really hard to put a price on quality of life and I've spent this much because pet store cages are cruel.

"Even the largest ones in Pets at Home are the bare minimum and I thought this wouldn't do.

"[After] we bought a two-bed flat, the idea of giving the guinea pigs their own room came about.

"Then lockdown hit and I fell into making a TikTok account about what will always be my greatest hobby – their care."

In a bid to meet like-minded people, he started sharing their luxuries on TikTok where he has racked up 366,000 views and hundreds of likes in one clip.

In the video, he can be seen surrounded by his guineas' enclosure as they happily run around his feet.

Ben believes people should take more consideration into their animals' living conditions, comparing their cages to "box rooms."

He said: "They live up to seven years in this one space, it's like imagining living in a box room as a studio flat.

"People should certainly look at sizing up their set-ups for sure, as at the end of the day, that cage is the pet's whole home.

"The benefits to your pets' lives are astronomical – it can help prevent medical conditions such as heart disease which in turn makes for much cheaper vet bills.

"Honestly, the bigger the better."

Apart from a few negative comments here and there, he says that the support from the community has helped him look at every aspect of their lives.

Ben added: "It's all been with one goal in mind, to give them the best possible lives.

"At first, [the negative comments] did get to me a bit, until someone pointed out that the only reason people are seeing it as odd, is because it's not a dog.

"My mum used to have a dog room and I see these things as normal.

"In person, I always give a disclaimer for people who haven't seen it before though – I'm not sure if this has ever prepared them for a literal room.

"I have a room full of tiny furry potatoes, it doesn't get much better than that – it's like I have my own petting zoo.

"I go to bed knowing they have a great set up and I've been told it's inspired so many people to re-evaluate their care.

"Improvements never need to be expensive and it's all about doing what you can, with the resources you have.

"There's a hundred different ways to look after a pet to the best possible way."

A TikToker has offered insight into his controversial hobby which includes giving his guinea pigs an entire bedroom – and spending £1,000 a year on them.

Ben Males, 26, an AV technician from Neath, Wales, has had as many as nine guinea pigs, but currently owns five: Frankie, Peanut, Hugo, Paco and Baby Moose – all guinea pigs.

In 2017, he purchased his first two fluffy pals and while he initially had all the equipment needed to give them a happy life, he wanted to make things better for them.

Soon, he began researching and joined multiple groups on social media, as well as ringing experts who informed him that most store-bought cages are "too small" for pets.

After discovering this shocking revelation, he rescued as many guinea pigs as possible until he had nine in total running around – leading him to upsize his current home, as there was no room left.

Now, the guinea pigs are living a life of luxury after being gifted their very own bedroom to play in – with Ben claiming he's spent over £1,000 per year on their lavish lifestyle.

"I've probably sent about £1,000 this year [on them]," Ben told NeedToKnow.Online.

"It's quite a bit to spend on them, but as I've bought reusable bedding [online] this can help to reduce my costs later on.

"It's really hard to put a price on quality of life and I've spent this much because pet store cages are cruel.

"Even the largest ones in Pets at Home are the bare minimum and I thought this wouldn't do.

"[After] we bought a two-bed flat, the idea of giving the guinea pigs their own room came about.

"Then lockdown hit and I fell into making a TikTok account about what will always be my greatest hobby – their care."

In a bid to meet like-minded people, he started sharing their luxuries on TikTok where he has racked up 366,000 views and hundreds of likes in one clip.

In the video, he can be seen surrounded by his guineas' enclosure as they happily run around his feet.

Users took to the comments to share their reactions, with many sharing their similar experiences and others, who don't agree with his decision.

“I wish I had a three-bed house, not for kids but Guinea babies. Got my priorities right,” said one user.

“I can't afford it for my pigs but I agree,” added another user.

Another user commented: “I'm literally moving into a new apartment so I can give my piggies more space.”

Other users shared their thoughts on giving animals a whole bedroom.

“Bigger room than I had growing up,” said another user.

“I guess most ppl just don’t have room,” said one user. [sic]

“Ok I’ll buy a mansion for them too while we’re at it,” added another.

Ben believes people should take more consideration into their animals' living conditions, comparing their cages to "box rooms."

He said: "They live up to seven years in this one space, it's like imagining living in a box room as a studio flat.

"People should certainly look at sizing up their set ups for sure, as at the end of the day, that cage is the pet's whole home.

"The benefits to your pets' lives are astronomical – it can help prevent medical conditions such as heart disease which in turn makes for much cheaper vet bills.

"Honestly, the bigger the better."

Apart from a few negative comments here and there, he says that the support from the community has helped him look at every aspect of their lives.

Ben added: "It's all been with one goal in mind, to give them the best possible lives.

"At first, [the negative comments] did get to me a bit, until someone pointed out that the only reason people are seeing it as odd, is because it's not a dog.

"My mum used to have a dog room and I see these things as normal.

"In person, I always give a disclaimer for people who haven't seen it before though – I'm not sure if this has ever prepared them for a literal rom.

"I have a room full of tiny furry potatoes, it doesn't get much better than that – it's like I have my own petting zoo.

"I go to bed knowing they have a great set up and I've been told it's inspired so many people to re-evaulate their care.

"Improvements never need to be expensive and it's all about doing what you can, with the resources you have.

"There's a hundred different ways to look after a pet to the best possible way."

ENDS

EDITOR'S NOTES: Must credit Ben's TikTok handle in the copy: @benpiggies