Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum and currently do not have a guinea pig. I'm looking into them as I will be moving into an apartment that does not allow cats and dogs, and I'm a person that needs to have a pet to take care of.

I will be moving in with a friend and for the sake of not starting a fire with her, I would like to only get one guinea pig. Is this okay? I am a teacher and not working at all this summer. My normal hours during the school year are typically 8-5. I would have plenty of time to spend with him/her when I was home. Also, my roommate and I were both curious if they smell. I have another friend that just recently got a chinchilla and they are said to be the cleanest and least smelly of small animals. Are guinea pigs pretty clean animals?

Really any information anybody could share with me would be greatly appreciated. I want to know as much as possible before I go and buy one to make sure that it is the best decision for both me and the guinea pig.

THANKS and sorry for the really long post!