Would you have a Guinea Pig for a pet?
By Nic
@academic2 (7000)
Uganda
9 responses
@ellie333 (21016)
•
14 Jan 08
have two at the moment. Mine like to be bathed and hen blow dryed gently. Love the pampering. Kids think they are wonderful.. Let them roam free during day (enclosed garden) my cats actually guard them. Make absolutely wonderful pets. My little boy is alos learning responsibilty by helping me clean them out and feed and water them everyday bless
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
20 Feb 08
Be really careful about having them outside. Even if the garden is fully enclosed, you'll want to make sure that there is no chance of heat stroke out there. Guinea pigs can easily suffer heat stroke, even in the shade if it's over 75 degrees outside. Make sure that there is plenty of water available to them. Are you using the garden so that you can substitute grass for hay? I know some people also grow grass indoors. But hay is good for them as well.
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
20 Feb 08
Hi, Thanks for advice but we live in England so never gets that warm but they have a massive big double cage also where they go at night and as I have rabbits aswell there are lots of burrows and nooks and crannies for shade and yes I always make sure they have plenty of water which during the summer months I place bowls under cover so it does not evaporate too mcuh and also pull down the water bottle section of the cage so they have that to drink also. I give them fresh fuit and veg too, so they are very happy. Ellie :D
@vulgarlittleprincess (919)
• Canada
16 Feb 08
I am on my thrid pet guinea pig. The first two passed away years ago. His name is Don Juan and he is brown black and white. He is very cute and very chubby! He broke his front top tooth and i have no idea how. it seems to be growing back tho, which is good. he also has a bit of bum dandruff. Poor thing. He is starting to get old, he is about 5 years old now. Chum, my first piggy, lived to be three years old and Piglet, my second piggy, was 7 years old when she passed away :(
i would definatly reccoment getting guinea pigs as pet. they are mild mannered and love to be cuddled. Wonderful pets for children
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
20 Feb 08
Dandruff around the bum area is usually caused by mites. But don't worry, they are easy to treat if you caught that so early. All you need is some ivermectin which is quite inexpensive and easily obtained. See www.guinealyx.info for dosing information. If you don't treat them, things can get pretty bad... there are some nasty photos on that site of what can happen with mites.
As for the tooth, keep watching it and just make sure he can still eat hay okay. If you have a gram scale, weigh him to ensure he isn't losing weight (it's good practice to weigh any guinea pig weekly anyway really).
I think guinea pigs can be great pets to have if you have children, but they are probably way too much responsibility for a child to handle on their own. Their care should definitely be supervised and any illnesses need to be spotted by the parents, not left to the child to figure out.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
20 Feb 08
I like guinea pigs, but they aren't for everyone. I rescue guinea pigs and can tell you that a lot end up in the animal shelters because people don't know what they're getting themselves into.
If you're interested in having pet guinea pigs (you always want at least 2 because they are social animals), read the information on www.guinealynx.info first before you get some. And look for rescues in your area and opt to adopt instead of buying from a pet mill.
@deberooney (418)
• United States
13 Jan 08
I have 2...one short hair all black and one with long orange,brown and white fur . We love them to pieces...great with kids and so social!
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
17 Jan 08
It is sweet to learn you love them pieces!! I like guinea pigs myself.
1 person likes this
@tamzcat (67)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I love them. I love their little noises they make. I have 2 of them.
@halex2008 (54)
• United States
15 Jan 08
When I was a teen I had a couple that ended up to be close to 22. Let me tell you they make worse then rabbits. The first one I got was my favorite. She (found that out after it was to late) was an Angora black, white and brown. Towards the end she was very tame and calm. I could take her outside with me and let her sit in the grass she would never go to far. I once forgot her outside. Don't ask me how I could forget I was a teen. But when I realized the next day she was not inside, I went out to look for her and she was in the exact same spot that I left her. Of course my parents made a stink about all the guinea pigs I had and we gave them away except my angora one. I got to keep her. Till the day we moved and our family pet tried to play with her and broke her neck I think. I was so sad and morbid, for the longest time and was sooo mad at our dog. But I did like her, the only thing I could have done with out was all the squeaking.
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
17 Jan 08
Sorry for the lnjury it later got, but I swear tat was a nice guinea pig out there!
@pinay81 (1535)
• Philippines
27 Oct 07
i see guinea pig before and its big and so cute i want to buy but its expensive and i have no place here in my house i want to buy if i have a big place so he can play around my pet before is similar to guinea pig its hamster 1 orange color and 1 gray the orange one is female she gave birth about 13 mice:-)
@urtison (75)
• India
15 Jan 08
I love the Guinea Pigs a lot. but never got a chance to get one & make it as my pet... my parents not allowing to have more pets.. my only pet is milo a short coat Pomeranian short coat.... very active dog....
@shootergirl78 (426)
• Canada
14 Jan 08
My son has 2 of them. They are such sweet little pets, very gentle and my son is learning responsibility by helping look after them. We have a dark brown and white one named Diego and a light brown and white one named Boots. Ours love to be bathed and we let them roam in the living room most of the day. For some reason ( a good one mind you )they wont poop unless they are in their cage :)
