Tell me about guinea pigs

[STLDisney_Freak]

Our daughters both have a guinea pig, Lilly and Sparkles. They absolutely love them to death. We made our cage and used coroplast as a flooring. Then we use a layer of towels with a layer of fleece. The layer of fleece wicked away the moisture. I really thought this method of bedding would stink really horrible, but I was surprised that it didn't reek. I don't regret any moment of getting my girls their guinea pigs.

 

[auroralark]

I had a guinea pig as a kid and I LOVED him. He was a great pet. Very cute and sweet. He didn't smell bad or make a huge mess at all. I would definitely get another one someday. (I have a rabbit now, otherwise I'd already have one!)

Guinea pigs prefer to be with other guinea pigs, so try and get two if you can.

 

[mominwestlake]

My dd begged for a guinea pig for years. We finally got her one for her 13th bday and she enjoyed it for about 6 weeks until she became bored with it and I had to constantly remind her to feed it and give it water. A few weeks later I found 2 additional guinea pigs in the cage. Yes, Linny had 2 babies. We now have 3 piggies. DD1 doesn't give them any attention. Luckily dd #3 does. DH thinks they are costly for the kind of pet they are. We are constantly buying fresh veggies, dry food, hay and bedding. Plus we take them to the petstore to have their nails trimmed. They are sweet and squeak when they hear the frig open. They love to be brushed and will happily sit on dd's lap. That said, they do smell at times (we use aspen bedding) and they just aren't as exciting as a dog would be. DH would love to find them new homes but DD cries whenever it is mentioned.

 

[Freyja]

Thanks again everyone for your input. I´m doing as much reasearch as I can, but it seems like we´ll take the plunge...

 

[Boo'sMom]

We have a guinea pig, the trick to reducing the smell in the cage is the wood shavings, nothing else seems to keep the smell down. They're great pets!

 

[ckay87]

If you liked having rabbits, you may be fine with a guinea pig. I think they are similar animals in the care that they require and their personalities. We had a piggie and I found it to be more work and expense than any dog or cat I've ever had. Bedding, food, timothy hay, and fresh veggies constantly. But you sound like a person who welcomes and enjoys having different types of pets, so keep that in mind. Not everybody does, so that might account for some of the negative opinions that you hear on this thread (including mine! I've just decided I'm a dog lover and that's it.)

 

[my3sonsagn]

The flooring has 3 steps. First you want to cover the base with a newspaper. Second, use kiln-dried pine shavings to build a nice base on top of the newspaper. Third, use a comfortable amount of hay to cover the pine shavings. Guinea pigs love hay!!

** Do not use cedar shavings for the 2nd part no matter what any one tells you. They are not safe for guinea pigs. **

I feel awful now I had no idea cedar could hurt them! Back when I had mine the only care info I had access to was the breeder we got her from and the pet store where we bought supplies, so I trusted what they told me.

 

[Freyja]

I feel awful now I had no idea cedar could hurt them! Back when I had mine the only care info I had access to was the breeder we got her from and the pet store where we bought supplies, so I trusted what they told me.

Oh, no. Don´t feel bad. You did the best you could and I´m sure they were fine.

 

[minkydog]

Mmmm, fried guinea pig...tastes like ham-ster...

 

[mjkacmom]

My friend had a GP and also got rid of it. It was stinky and made a mess (throwing the bedding all over the place, much of it landing outside the cage). It was just a general annoyance until it bit her dd not once but twice. The second time it was an extremely hard bite, too, and she had to pry the thing off of her finger. They ended up giving it to a family with older kids. Have you thought about a rat? I know, I know, but I have always heard what good pets they make. Also, my sister had one. If you can get over the tail, they are kind of cute.

We've had 2 female rats for 1 1/2 years, and although they make the best pets (very friendly, social, and smart - nothing like hamsters), the females are prone to tumors. We've had 2 surgeries on one, and we just can't afford any more. She now has four large tumors, and her sister has one. It's very heartbreaking for our kids. If we did it over again, we'd get 2 males, and have them altered (so they don't pee all over).

In all the time we've had them, they've never pooped when out of their cage. They have peed, but only if out a couple of hours.

 

[Frantasmic]

I agree with the poster who stated their child grew tired of the guinea pig after a while.

They live 4-6 years. They need their cage, house, water bottle cleaned weekly. Cavies also need their nails trimmed. If you don't learn how to do it, that is another expense. Their bedding material is expensive, as is their food, treats, etc.

They are fun to pet and listen to. They need to be bathed and have their ears cleaned regularly too.

Our one piggie was the most expensive animal we have ever had despite his shorter life span than our cats.

I personally wouldn't do it again even though we enjoyed ours.

 

[natenapril]

Did you try any of the odor neutralizing stuff they sell as flooring?

We have a dog too, DS has a toroise and DD will soon have a horse

We did use odor neutralizing bedding and had a special spray to wipe the cage down with.

My dd begged for a guinea pig for years. We finally got her one for her 13th bday and she enjoyed it for about 6 weeks until she became bored with it and I had to constantly remind her to feed it and give it water. A few weeks later I found 2 additional guinea pigs in the cage. Yes, Linny had 2 babies. We now have 3 piggies. DD1 doesn't give them any attention. Luckily dd #3 does. DH thinks they are costly for the kind of pet they are. We are constantly buying fresh veggies, dry food, hay and bedding. Plus we take them to the petstore to have their nails trimmed. They are sweet and squeak when they hear the frig open. They love to be brushed and will happily sit on dd's lap. That said, they do smell at times (we use aspen bedding) and they just aren't as exciting as a dog would be. DH would love to find them new homes but DD cries whenever it is mentioned.

My DDs beeged too and the newness wore off within the same time frame.

I agree with the poster who stated their child grew tired of the guinea pig after a while.

They live 4-6 years. They need their cage, house, water bottle cleaned weekly. Cavies also need their nails trimmed. If you don't learn how to do it, that is another expense. Their bedding material is expensive, as is their food, treats, etc.

They are fun to pet and listen to. They need to be bathed and have their ears cleaned regularly too.

Our one piggie was the most expensive animal we have ever had despite his shorter life span than our cats.

I personally wouldn't do it again even though we enjoyed ours.

Ours didn't make it a year! We have since adopted a dog and are much happier. I really won't do a guinea pig again.

OP Good luck in your choice!

 

[Freyja]

Oh boy. I knew I shouldn´t have asked for advice, lol.
I found the most adorable guinea pigs yesterday, and today DH and I are going to get them. My sister will "babysit" them for us until Christmas, so that the girls don´t find out what they´re getting.

 

[jrmasm]

You won't regret it. They are wonderful pets.

 

[Freyja]

Well, we bought the new "babies" earlier today. Got them a pretty big cage which I hope they´ll be comfortable in and brought everything to my sisters house. They´ll stay there until Christmas morning. I´m so excited and finding it very hard to keep it as a secret. Luckily my oldest kids know, so at least I can tell them about the little cuties.
Oh, what have I got myself into, lol.