My 6 year old son wants a Guinea Pig from Santa...

[luvmylittleboy2003]

I have never owned one, please tell me the pros/cons to owning one of these pets. Do they require allot of attention/work?
I was hesitant on getting him one, but, this is the only gift he is asking for.

 

[disneylandkitkat]

The only thing i can say they are loud at night. My x had one and I used to hate spending the night. The little guy kept me up all night. Other than that he was cute.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

They're cute but the cage needs cleaning regularly or they will stink. They need to be fed, watered and played with just like any other pet. And yes, they will squeak quite loudly at times.

We've always told DD that Santa DOES NOT bring live animals. Of course we buy enough of them on our own so the big guy doesn't do that.

 

[C.Ann]

DGD just recently got a hamster for her birthday in the fall.. I forgot what they said in the pet store, but there was some reason that a hamster was better than a guinea pig..

The hamster requires little time and effort - all sorts of fun accessories you can buy for them - and he's so gosh darn cute - fits in my shirt pocket! LOL..

Good luck with your decision..

 

[natenapril]

Try this thread recently started
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2347081

Hopefully that works

 

[torinsmom]

I inherited one when I started teaching at my current school. Ours was very loud, always squeaking and chewing on his cage. He was also STINKY, I mean change the cage twice a week stinky. And that thing ate so much I thought I would go broke too.

I was almost glad when one of our kids kept putting things in the cage and I had to follow through on my threat to give it away, LOL.

I have a hamster and he is only loud at night(not even then if I keep his wheel greased). I change his cage when it starts to smell, usually once a month. I put in fresh food and water once a week and its good.

Marsha

 

[ilovejack02]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2347081
Here is a thread about it.


My inlaws owned a pet store for many years that I managed.
They raised their own hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs.

I liked the guineas alot. So cute, and much friendlier than the hamsters or gerbils.
They can last 5-7 years with proper care, that is a good thing or a bad thing for some people.

Cages must be cleaned, they don't stink if cleaned, trust me I know LOL. I would dump cages weekly , but daily I would scoop it a bit just like a cat box , if I saw a big mess and add fresh bedding, took no time. I used aspen bedding and care fresh.

They must have vitamin C.. I liked to give it in oragnes and carrots, but you can give it in tablets and drops in teh water. Fed our guys a scoop of food a day in their bowl and a few pieces of carrots or carrots, sometimes timothy hay.

If you get a female and then later on decide to get another, make sure you buy another female. Past the age of about 9 months if a female has not given birth her hip bones will fuse shut and if she gets pregnant she will have to have surgery or trying to give birth will kill her.

They are happy to see their owners and will make lots of noise when they see you .
I am looking forward to getting my son one , but with two cats in the house we will wait a few more years.

 

[golfgal]

Give him an IOU from Santa for one when he moves out of the house and has his own place

 

[Carl]

Give him a toy one.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I agree with C. Ann, hamsters are quieter/cleaner.

One Christmas I surprised youngest DS with a baby hamster. We named that one Ludwig. He was so cute. DS was still young enough to believe in Santa so I typed up a letter from Santa and placed it near the habittrail.

In essence, it stated that as Santa was making his rounds, flying over Germany, Ludwig asked Santa to bring him to America. Santa said, okay, and decided to leave Ludwig with DS. I still have the letter someplace!

TC

 

[Dedejf]

I say go with the GP but not until you've done some research on them. GP's are MUCH larger and MUCH more fun and are awake during the day and sleep at night. Hamsters are nocturnal and do not have wonderful personalities like GP's. I had a GP in my classroom named Winniepig and she was a gem but her hair was super long and she had to be bathed in order to not start smelling. She was very pretty though. Then I got a short haired male when she died (they only live 3-5 years usually from what I've read) and he had a totally different personality and was very frightened and sickly. They smell only when they aren't cared for properly imho. I used aspen chips (healthier) and changed the bedding once or twice a week depending on the season, humidity level, temperature, etc. Read about them online and be fully informed about both GP's and hamsters before you decide whether or not to bring one home.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

They poop in a box. Need I say more?