Do you have a Guinea Pig?

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Everyone's responses have been fantastic. I think based on the replies and the research I have done, we are going to hold off on getting a Guinea Pig.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Guinea pigs are a lot of work for little return as far as human playtime goes. We went thru the small animal stage here, gps, frogs, hermies, betas, baby sat a snake and a lizard and all I have to say is, done. If I have to put in the work, I want the snuggle time.

Some people are fine with the small pets, or have space/time constraints. I happen to prefer to have dogs and cats, they are just more hands on, especially for a little child. GPs and the like are pretty fragile, and so darned cute a little kid could just want to squeeze the bejesus out of them, that doesn't end well.

 

[Kellydelly]

I had a guinea pig when I was probably 11, but I don't think it's a great choice for a 4 yr old. What about a kitty? I am allergic to cats and dogs so we have 6 hamsters, two are dwarfs and 4 of them are Syrians (teddy bears). Because they are solitary critters we have to have 5 cages (dwarfs are brothers and don't mind each other). I got caught up in the cuteness of the first one and kept getting more . Now my problem is finding hamster sitters when we go out of town. I think I would get a bigger pet for your child, though.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

we had a black bear hamster and he was the meanest sucker ever! BIT everyone, no matter who. Had a cute dwarf hamster (yes he was small) but he was so sweet. NEVER bit (and my cousin squeezed him a few times.) He did get out once but hung out right next to his cage till he was put back. Gatta handle them when there young. I had a hammy at 4 (he was a teddy bear) and he was my best bud. I had him trained to be a pocket rider, and used to take him all over with me (even went to the grocery store when I forgot he was sleeping in my pocket)