We're getting Guinea Pigs!

boo80

I hope you don't mind me asking for advise on here, I've been on Google but can't find all the answers I'm looking for...

We've been thinking about a pet for our almost 5 yr old daughter for about a year now, and after lots of consideration and borrowing a friends pet, we have decided to get her 2 guinea pigs for her birthday in August. I've read some bits on the internet, but still have a couple of questions: The piggies will be kept outside, I've been looking at the hutches with the sleeping area on top and the run underneath, should it be put on the grass, or on the patio? Will they try to escape under the fence at the back of the garden which doesn't quite reach the ground? Are girls or boys generally better pets? Is there a specific breed which are better around children?

I want to go into this with as much information as possible, so any advice would be greatfully received!

Fire_Fox

If you don't have a fully secure run/ garden, they will escape or a predator will come into your garden and 'play' - cat, dog, fox ... Do you have somewhere to house them in winter when it's too cold to remain outside? You may find the RSPCA guidance helpful; have you also run a search on this board?

chocdonuty

Guinea pigs will need to be kept indoors or a warm shed/garage (no cars!) over the winter or all year round with a run in the garden for exercise.
I keep my 2 piggys indoors and they get much more attention this way and you get to enjoy them so much more, trust me cleaning out a hutch in the cold wind and rain is no fun at all!
Guinea pigs don't tend to burrow like rabbits can but they can be fast and difficult to catch so you can let them run free in the garden as long as there are no hidey holes or gaps.
Have a look at the https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk and rodentswithattitude.co.uk Both give great advice.
You are right to get two and girls do tend to get on better but it just depends on the induvidual guinea pigs, they are very social animals and always should be kept in pairs/trios/herds (guinea pigs are addictive )

penguin83

Piggys are fab pets. I have 2 girls at the moment on the pretext of them being for my kids (they were really for me!) I bought a two tier hutch but to be honest they are pretty much indoor pigs now because it has been so cold and wet - they do go out in the summer into their 'proper' cage though when the weather is nice (which seems to be a rarity at the moment!). I personally wouldnt let them loose in the garden though unless they were in their proper run. Mine have a run around the living room every day and even though we block at the nooks and crannies they make themselves really flat and can squeeze through the tiniest gap. They are really sociable and love cuddles - mine wheek whenever they hear OH's key in the door as they know that food is on it's way! xx

Waterfalls

http://cjcavies.weebly.com/caring-for-pigs.html

tentickles666

also id look for a local breeder whose ethics and views fit yours, do not support the pet trade in pet shops as these animals come from horrific conditions and will likely be scared of people and harder for you to get comfortable with being handled etc!

Nicoll

I recently got 2 boys from a local rescue centre, their website has some excellent info at www.blackberrypatch.co.uk. I knew nothing about piggies but mine are happily settled down in a hutch in the garden with a separate run for when the weather is ok. The hutch will go in the garage when the weather turns nasty but they are happy in the garden now. I also bought a little indoor pen so they come in during the evening and have a good run around in that, and it has a removable floor so don't need to worry about them peeing on the floor.

They are great pets. One word of advise, don't buy your hay from the likes of pets at home as a massive ripoff, try and find a horse feed merchant where it will be much cheaper.

They love cucumber by the way, mine will eat as much as I can feed them :rotfl: