Guinea pigs as pets?

[JESW]

Does anyone have one? What are they like? My DD5 loves animals and tries to carry around our two 17yo indoor female cats - while they are nice to her, you know they don't like it. Someone mentioned getting her a guinea pig as they are smaller, lovable and trainable.

Any opinions?? Do they smell a lot? We already have 12 pets in the house - will this make a lot more work for me?

TIA!

Jill

 

[two4ruff]

My boys love theirs!

I help them clean their cages once a week with pine shavings. We have females but I hear the males can smell stronger due to a scent gland. They are pretty low maintenance pets but we found them to have more personality than hamsters or gerbils.

One word of caution: We bought one at a pet store that housed males and females together. Two months later, we had 3 "new" pigs!

Have fun!

 

[Kermit]

I used to have a guinea pig. He was so sweet. Mine loved to be carried and pet. I didn't think that the cage smelled too much, either. I did have to clean at least twice a week, maybe a bit more, but it only took a few minutes to dump out the stuff, lay down newspaper, and then put a layer of pine shavings on top of that. You will have to get something to keep the piggie safe while you clean out the cage with all those other pets in the house. And you should count on doing the work yourself. Guinea pig cages should be large, so it would be too much for your DD to handle.

 

[pumba]

over powering.....but they are cute ....they love to be petted....and they do make a good pet.....the males do smell a little more stronger then the ladies......I say go for it.....

 

[CDoobeeJr.]

I used to have one. I would definately say that if you want a rodent, go for a guinea pig. Hamsters, gerbils, and mice, are little escape artists ....



Plus, this is cuddlier and not as hyper.

 

[JESW]

Thanks for the replies so far - I will certainly have to look into it as I know DD would LOVE one! Our other 12 pets are 2 cats and 10 birds so I am already used to cleaning up after animals.

Jill