any guinea pig money saving tips?

curlytoast

Hi

Ive been thinking of getting a pet for my 5 year old son, and for myself also!

I'd love to get a dog, but its just not realistic for my family right now as we have a young baby.

Ive researched into pets that are good for kids and guinea pigs have come up loads, plus i think they are lovely!

I'd just like some tips from other guinea pig owners if poss, such as wheres the best place to buy, what are they like as pets etc.

Do guinea pets like being cuddled and held?- as i've had rabbits when i was a kid, but they would hate us holding them.

Thanks in advance

Jo_Mc_2

We have guinea pigs, in fact I'd never be without them now. I got my first one 14 years ago when we moved into this house and have had them eversince. I now have two sons and they each have a guinea pig.

We keep them inside in an indoor cage, it's actually situated in a corner of the kitchen and they squeak - loudly - and wait at the cage door each time the fridge door is opened as they know their carrots and greens are kept in there. They do the same when the understairs cupboard door is opened too as that's where their food and hay is kept.

We get them out a lot and they like to sit and be stroked - one of ours licks your hand while you stroke her with the other - and also love a good run around (inside, of course). They're nervous at first but with attention and handling they soon come to trust you.

If you decide that a guinea pig is the pet for you (and your son!), then I'd advise that you get two - they like company and are a lot more lively when they have a playmate.

olias

Hi, if you have a garden, they also like the grass, so you can build or buy a run - it only needs to be about 4 or 5 feet x 1 or 2 feet with an open bottom so they can sit out in the sun and nibble the grass.

Without lecturing, what I would say is that they live to about 7 or 8 years and need their cages cleaning daily. You need to be prepared to make sure your son does that every day for 8 years. I have seen so many people get pigs and then their children lose interest within a year and the poor pig is left with no attention and a dirty cage.

They also need their teeth clipping regularly which although you can do yourself, most people prefer to take them to the vets, so be aware that this will be a regular cost (albeit a small one).

If you do go ahead, then I would suggest you get one of the 'child friendly' books on keeping guinea pigs. They are full of pictures and illustrations and should give your son (and you!) all the information you need. You can usually get them at the pet shop.

Olias

emma12345

Hi, They are really good pets for children and once they have got used to being handled they are very tame and friendly. Much more so than rabbits as they are very responsive and squeak to show their enthusiasm for something!

I kept all kinds of animals as a child - rabbits, mice, gerbils, hamsters, snakes etc (except for rats which my mum wouldn't let me have!) and the guinea pigs were by far the most fun and loveable.

I'm not sure if I remember this right, but I think you can keep 2 females together (and it's best to as they like the company) but 2 males will fight.

Em

Notsosharp

Hi,

I have three guinea pigs, the Mum and two daughters and I think they are probably the best pets for young children. I definately think rabbits are unsuitable for kids, they take a lot of looking after, more than my cats!

Unfortunately, my pigs don't like being handled, mainly because they weren't handled when they were younger but if you handle them enough from young they like being cuddled and held but also like to have a wee run. I had a pig when I was younger than used to live at the bottom of the garden, he did have a hutch and a run, he just liked it better there! Having said that my pigs still squeak at me when its dinner time, when their water has ran out and when they can smell toast cooking because they love toast!

But definately get a pair because they are sociable animals, once a decent hutch/cage has been brought they are not expensive to keep. Mine will eat dandelions and free veg from the market though their fave is definately the dandelions!

Sirbendy

I have 2 - they eat the veg bits that we don't, they keep the grass short, and they live in a big cage in my kitchen. The more you handle them, the more they are happy to be handled. They're generally very happy anyway!

The cats love them, they like the cats. When I'm cooking I shut the cats out and they have the run of the kitchen, which is hilarious. Low maintenance and always happy to see you..I've always had GPs. Always a pair.

7-8 years? Heh. My longhair was 13, and the last brother and sister pair I had (albino) were about the same.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jemjabella/

Those are mine.

XDA

They make lovely pets and are really easy to look after.

Mine (RIP Gina ) used to spend all day out on the lawn eating grass. She loved it and could eat some amount of grass in a few hours. Mine would eat apple, carrot, dandelions, grass, lettuce and hay. She would always squeak when we came down to feed her and start going crazy in her cage. She was quite timid though, very shy and was easy frightened by loud noises/quick movements. When you did have her out though, and stroke her etc she would just sit and purr.

Ideal pets for children but they do need the cages cleaned out regularly. I would also advise that you get another guinea pig or maybe a rabbit to keep it company.

littleemmie

Guinea pigs are fantastic pets! We have two boys and, I know it sounds soppy, but they are members of our family as they are such good characters.

Ours are in a big hutch by the kitchen door. They squeak really loudly at me whenever the fridge door gets opened as they want a treat. The same when the back door is opened as when it is sunny they run around under the run outside and eat the grass. We feed ours a small bowl of veg (cucumber, broccoli, kale, green beans, carrots and celery) twice a day and they always have dried food and hay available. Jim likes to take huge clumps of hay out of the manger, sit on it and then squeak at me to get him more!

We use vetbed for bedding, which is like a fleece that absorbs the moisture mess whilst leaving the top dry, making it very easy to clean as it goes straight in the washing machine. We wash that fully weekly but clean out any other mess twice a day which doesn't take long. They also have a log cabin thing in their hutch as guinea pigs love to hide and that is covered with shredded paper for insulation! We let ours run around the living room with some parsley and basil most evenings but beware, they do chew any wood in sight (good for their teeth, bad for our coffee table!) I've put some chunks of wood in their hutch for them to play with which they do - Barney picks up the wood, throws it and chases after it!

Our two are very friendly and love cuddles. They like to lick you and Barney will have an occasional nibble of your finger (doesn't hurt) but only if he's hungry or wants to go back in the hutch. They are very vocal, and will let you know what they want!

That seems to be my essay done! Hope that helped a bit!

across

when i was little i had loads of guinea pigs as pets they are the most cutist things and very cuddly!they squeek when they hear the door open as if they know there is food coming!! i used to find they loved to be cuddled and tickled under their chin they are lovely for kids they get very tame if you spend lots of time cuddling them!they used to love grass and dandilion leaves if i remember i used to spend ages in the graveyard behind my house picking grass from round graves they loved it, dont give them grass from near road fulll of fumes and dog wee it may upset their tummy!dont know what they eat these days in the seventies used to give them oats and pellats!!! but they probably have nuggets now like my rabbits from pets at home!

lexi

[ I would also advise that you get another guinea pig or maybe a rabbit to keep it company.[/QUOTE]
No NO!!! do not get a rabbit to share with a guinea pig - have heard so many nasty stories when this happens.
Can only echo what everyone has said, guinea pigs are lovely & to my mind - if handled carefully at a young age, can be very tame, - but please remember when handling them (esp young children) be sitting down low to the ground as they move very quickly when spooked & are so slippery, any fall can be fatal. i have 6 'piggies' at the moment - all rescued bless them. there is no rule as to pairing them up i am afraid. i had 2 girls who fought, so paired them up with 2 neutered boys ( the little devils were bolshie with the boys too but finally gave in but they are still the boss!) i am sure your son will be happy, as they give so much pleasure with their vocals. my lot rule me thats for sure, but they are worth it. i love piggies!