Guinea Pigs as pets...

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Do you have one?

Do they make good apartment pets for a single adult?

I find that holding small animals tends to calm me after a day at my rather stressful job...do they like to be held? I held one this weekend and it was very cuddly.

I would have to keep the pen in my bedroom, due to lack of space elsewhere. Are they noisy at night, like hamsters?

Some websites I have seen say it's cruel to only have one? I work during the day but I know I would be holding it every night. I lost my pet rat recently and he was out with me every evening.

Some websites say that a single level "store bought" cage is also cruel? That would be my biggest concern. Until I move into my own place in 10 months, they'd have to be in a single level starter home in my room.

How difficult would it be to find an apartment with a guinea pig? Anyone have any experience with that? I've seen tons of apartments that allow dogs and cats but none mention other pets.

Thoughts?

 

[FINFAN]

hmmm, well, as far as liking to be held, think it will depend on the disposition of the pig...we ahve has several in the past and some were more cuddly than others...we ahev ahd 2 at a time and singles, didn't notice much difference in the overall happiness of the pigs one way or another. They can be pesky sounding at night, chewing, drinking form water bottle etc. GUess you would adjust of in your bedroom. I was allergic to various bedding types, so look into that. We ended up using a product called "yesterdays news" whic was ok, not the best at covering up the urine smell. GP's can be trained to "go" in a corner if you put the time into it which helps for cleaning out the cage until you can wash it out ( which we did weekly)
We have also had pet rats ( Dumbo's) and I gotta tell ya, they were far more cuddly/lovey than the GP's were, quieter and cleaner too ( I also think smarter) any reason why you don't want ot get another Rat?

 

[hiwaygal]

I had Guinea Pigs for a few years while in college...but developed allergies to them and had to give my last one away. (she went to a great home though!)


Anyway, they are fairly social animals. Mine used to "talk" to me frequently. Whistling and squeaking to get attention or just when she was happy. If you hold them frequently, they will become more socialized and it is nice to cuddle them!

They aren't noisy like hamsters and generally don't try to escape their cages. I kept mine in a 20gal (low rise) aquarium with no top. She was fine in there. She could see what was going on. I could see how something bigger would be nice too, but if you are going to let him/her have more freedom in the house, maybe it wouldn't be necessary.

You can get little leashes for them too!

In my experience, the reason you won't see other pets mentioned in rental contracts is because smaller pets (like rodents and birds) are generally kept in cages and don't/can't do significant damage to a property. If it's a big concern, talk to your landlord but I don't think there will be a problem.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

We have also had pet rats ( Dumbo's) and I gotta tell ya, they were far more cuddly/lovey than the GP's were, quieter and cleaner too ( I also think smarter) any reason why you don't want ot get another Rat?

I was very attached to my last rat. He was a rescue and died pretty young. Who knows where he came from though...

I adore rats, I just think something a bit bigger might fare better and be sturdier.

 

[dcentity2000]

Guinea pigs rule... but they die fairly quickly. I'm a pile of soppy so regular cuddly deaths just puts me off



Rich::

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Guinea pigs rule... but they die fairly quickly. I'm a pile of soppy so regular cuddly deaths just puts me off



Rich::

How long do they live? I've heard about 5 years?

 

[Keira1387]

Hi, I had 2 guinea pigs growing up and loved them. Mine were very cuddly. They would lay on their backs and let me feed them carrots. Their lifespan is 4-7 years.

 

[dcentity2000]

How long do they live? I've heard about 5 years?

Yeah, about four and six years I believe, maybe seven.

Also be warned that if you keep them outdoors that clever foxes can get into some hutches and, uh, get at the poor little things...



Rich::

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Yeah, about four and six years I believe, maybe seven.

Also be warned that if you keep them outdoors that clever foxes can get into some hutches and, uh, get at the poor little things...



Rich::

Oh no. No , mine would be indoor only. The worst thing that could get them in my place is a rouge bug that gets in.

 

[robinb]

I was very attached to my last rat. He was a rescue and died pretty young. Who knows where he came from though...

I adore rats, I just think something a bit bigger might fare better and be sturdier.

If you would reconsider rats, you may want to look over at www.goosemoose.com over in the Rats Rule section. You can find a rat breeder over there who actually takes care in breeding and not just someone who has an "oops" litter. I got a lovely cream colored dumbo rex from a local breeder and paid only $10 for her. Well bred rats will live longer and have fewer health problems. My DD has 3 rats: 2 girls and one neutered boy. One of the girls is from an "oops" litter, the boy is a true rescue (my neighbor let him loose instead of finding a home for him) and the third is the dumbo rex girl. BTW, it *is* cruel to only have a single rat as they are very social creatures.

There is also a "pocket pets" section over at Goosemoose if you are still thinking of pigs. I have heard that they are not the nicest animals, though.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

Thanks! I'll check that site out.

I just don't think I can take the heartache of losing another rat.

 

[mjkacmom]

How about 2 rats (you should always have 2)? Ours are so affectionate, and love to be held (dd6 carries them all over the place on her shoulders). You mentioned you had one before. I've never had guinea pigs, but my gf hated hers, just because of the smell (apparently they drink and pee a lot?).

 

[torinsmom]

Well, I inherited a guinea pig in my classroom and I hated that thing. They ARE loud, at least the one we had was--he would make all these squeaking noises and disturb the classroom. He was also stinky; I swear he went all over the cage and we had to change it at least twice a month! One of my kids kept putting things in the cage, so another teacher took him to her home to keep him safe. I have never been so glad to see something go, I can tell you that.

I have a teddy bear hamster, and as long as her wheel is oiled(I use Pam, not WD40, in case she licks it), I never hear her at all. She is nocturnal, but if I feed her in the afternoon, she comes out and is very social.

Marsha

 

[mjkacmom]

If you would reconsider rats, you may want to look over at www.goosemoose.com over in the Rats Rule section. You can find a rat breeder over there who actually takes care in breeding and not just someone who has an "oops" litter. I got a lovely cream colored dumbo rex from a local breeder and paid only $10 for her. Well bred rats will live longer and have fewer health problems. My DD has 3 rats: 2 girls and one neutered boy. One of the girls is from an "oops" litter, the boy is a true rescue (my neighbor let him loose instead of finding a home for him) and the third is the dumbo rex girl. BTW, it *is* cruel to only have a single rat as they are very social creatures.

There is also a "pocket pets" section over at Goosemoose if you are still thinking of pigs. I have heard that they are not the nicest animals, though.

We got our rats from the Paper Heart Rattery (my computer is acting up, and won't let me post a link), a NJ breeder, and I think they're up to $25 (ours were $10 last year). OP, I see you miss your rat, but I think after having one, you might be disappointed with another rodent. We had hamsters, and they're nothing like rats.

 

[FINFAN]

yes, our Dumbo's were from a breeder as well...and always a pair..she wouldn't evenn sell a single unless it was well matched to one she had sold prior to a client. Our Dumboe's lived ot about 4 years, one almost 5. I gotta tell ya, our GP's were noisy, and anytime they heard a plastic bag, holy cow they went nuts thinking it was food, squealing like crazy!
Hi Robin! Had no idea you were a "Rattie" my kids just adored theirs...when the last one passed it was getting close to college for my oldest, so we just decided to have the dog and hermit crabs..

 

[PixiePop]

We have a guinea pig and she is a great pet. She is very friendly and "talks" to you. She doesn't smell, but you do have to change the bedding once a week. The only thing is she likes to kick her bedding out of the side of her cage.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

Well, I inherited a guinea pig in my classroom and I hated that thing. They ARE loud, at least the one we had was--he would make all these squeaking noises and disturb the classroom. He was also stinky; I swear he went all over the cage and we had to change it at least twice a month! One of my kids kept putting things in the cage, so another teacher took him to her home to keep him safe. I have never been so glad to see something go, I can tell you that.

I have a teddy bear hamster, and as long as her wheel is oiled(I use Pam, not WD40, in case she licks it), I never hear her at all. She is nocturnal, but if I feed her in the afternoon, she comes out and is very social.

Marsha

I beg to differ!!!!! I've had several Guinea pigs and found their squeaks and whistles endearing and I welcomed hearing their different tones depending on what they wanted at the time. I also had them in my classroom and they never disturbed the students. I can't believe anyone would let their cages get cleaned only twice a month. No wonder the poor animal's cage smelled!!! Guinea pigs' cages should be changed at least once a week imo. To the OP I would highly recommend having a Guinea pig as a pet and it would be an especially good pet for an apt. They sleep at night and love companionship during the daytime hours. Try the Humane Society if you have one near you. They often have Guinea pigs that you can adopt and save a life in the process.

 

[Gretel]

We have two, (Carlos Gomez and Joe Mauer) who live with me now because my daughter is allergic to them. She had them in her apartment and had no problem with them. One is very cuddly and the other runs and hides. They are very social though, they talk and like to tip there huts and food bowls over. We change there bedding about once a week.

 

[torinsmom]

I can't believe anyone would let their cages get cleaned only twice a month. No wonder the poor animal's cage smelled!!! Guinea pigs' cages should be changed at least once a week imo.

Oops, I meant twice a WEEK! Sorry, I was thinking about the hamster, b/c twice a month is about what she requires. Ours still stank even when we changed it that often. I guess I was not a guinea pig person, because I did not find the constant squeaking endearing at all. Of course, she was also not very social and hid in her igloo all the time. She would actually drag her food bowl into the igloo to eat and walk her igloo over to the water. I used to say she thought she was a turtle, LOL. She is doing well at the other teacher's house. I think all the kids and noise freaked her out a little bit.

Marsha

 

[iggbees]

my sister has a guinea pig and he's a cutie. i always love going home to visit with him. he does get frightened easily though so a lot of times i won't be able to pick him up. when i do though he likes to just sit with me. my sister sleeps with him in her room in a pen that she put a blanket down on the bottom and fencing that is about a foot high. the good thing is that he is kind of trained to poop and pee in this little box she has in the pen. he only gets noisy when he's happy or hungry (which is all the time! haha). i would love to get a guinea pig, but i don't have the patience.