Potiental Guinea Pig owner with questions

[Blue_Autumn_Sky]

After spending several days browsing this site and reading at the library I've decided that I want to adopt a pair of guinea pigs into my home. I've fallen in love with their sweet personalities, not to mention their adorable rounded brick shapes and fuzzy selves. However I live with my parents and younger brothers, so I want to be absolutely positively sure that guinea pigs are right for my family. Also, my future piggies will be with me when I start college (it's close by so I won't be moving into a dorm or anything) and hopefully after I graduate too. I'd hate for the poor pigs not to get the love and attention they deserve because I've discoverd too late that they're not right for me. (just typing the idea makes me depressed, but i have to admit that it can happen)
Anyway, rambling aside, here are my questions:What is the smell like?
If anyone out there has had multiple pets, how would you rate the guinea pigs? I've had most of the rodent family as pets before and I'd clean cages once a week for most of them. I'm curious if 2 guinea pig generally smell better or worse than 2 rats (or gerbils or rabbits or whatever you've had experience with) My mother is especially interested as she would rather have a rabbit if the smell is about the same.
How does fleece bedding compare to other bedding?
I understand that fleece would be cheaper, but cost aside how does it compare in terms of ease of cleaning or smell. (big concern of the family if you can't already tell)
What differences have you noticed between male and female guinea pigs?
Are there personality differences, or is the main difference size and smell? How big is the difference between them smell-wise?
And lastly, if I had a really busy day once in a blue moon and found that I hadn't spent time with the piggies other than the daily feedings and spot cleanings would they fall into a deep dark depression or would they be alright?
This had happened when I had a single rat (his buddy died), if I didn't play with him everyday he'd be horribly upset, and I'd hate for this to happen to my guinea pigs.
Thank you for helping me make a responsible decision, and for tolerating my horribly long questions.

[newpiggiemommy]

Originally Posted by Blue_Autumn_Sky

What is the smell like?
If anyone out there has had multiple pets, how would you rate the guinea pigs?
How does fleece bedding compare to other bedding?
What differences have you noticed between male and female guinea pigs?Are there personality differences, or is the main difference size and smell? How big is the difference between them smell-wise?
And lastly, if I had a really busy day once in a blue moon and found that I hadn't spent time with the piggies other than the daily feedings and spot cleanings would they fall into a deep dark depression or would they be alright?

I think the smell of the hay is definately stronger than the smell of the piggies. If you use fleece and spot clean everyday (I use a hand vac) then the smell is not bad at all. I wash my fleece once a week, and I don't smell them at all! Now, if I forget to spot clean or it gets a few days past a week and I haven't washed yet, then they begin to smell a bit!

I have had gerbils before and I think they smell sooooooo much more then a guinea pig! My sister had a rabbit, and she didn't clean up after it very well, but it smelled so bad. Guinea pigs do not smell as bad as rabbits!!!!

Fleece is so much better than care fresh bedding (which is what I started with). I use care fresh in the kitchen area still, but the biggest part of my cage is fleece! I love it! And, I am saving so much money!

I can't really tell you the differences between males and females as far as smell because neither my male or my 4 females smell!

Personalities are all completely different. I have five pigs and they all have very different personalities!

Guinea pigs are herd animals so more than one is a good idea! As far as not having time to interact with them, I don't know. I try to give lap time every day, but I am not as good with floor time. I made their cage a bit bigger so they would have room to play because I don't always get the time to put them out for play time! They get out about 2-3 times per week for play time!

I hope some of this was helpful! Good luck making your decision!

[Blue_Autumn_Sky]

First of all sorry for making you have to read that blocky post. I forgot my basic html.

And thanks for the speedy response. Our rabbit was smelly too, and I was actually good about cleaning her cage!

Interesting though how you say that gerbils stank. I always considered gerbils the cleanest pets I ever had. I'd give them about half a tank of dirt to dig in and I'd only have to clean it out about every three weeks. They never smelled to me. But if guinea pigs smell better than gerbils, than I'm really impressed.

Does anyone else have anything to add? I'd really appreciate the input.

[Pumpkin_RIP]

Well, for me, if my cage smells, then I should have cleaned it a loooong time ago! I never have smell problem. Sometimes I can smell the hay, but the hay doesn't smell bad or anything.
I don't use fleece, so I don't know how it compares.
Females and males can both be very nice and outgoing, or shy. It doesn't matter the gender. Personally I prefer sows over boars because:
1. I don't have to clean the genital area with sows
2. Boars tend to rumble strut when around other boars, and sometimes have dominance issuues(females can aslo)
3. Males spray and scent mark more often.
4. I plain just don't want boars. Sows also tend to get along a little better with each other then boars(just from my experience)
But overall, both are good pets, it just depends on what YOU like. Newpiggiemommy is right, they all have VERY different personalities!
As long as you play with your pets most of the time, one busy day won't hurt them. A thing that you need to keep in mind though, is to make sure you parents are 100% ready to pay a high vet bill if your pets become sick. Too often parents are unwilling to take the pet to the vet, because they ignorantly think,"the pet isn't worth it." This is NOT true. So just make sure your parents understand their part of the deal. Good Luck!!

[smmr930]

Originally Posted by newpiggiemommy

I think the smell of the hay is definately stronger than the smell of the piggies. If you use fleece and spot clean everyday (I use a hand vac) then the smell is not bad at all. I wash my fleece once a week, and I don't smell them at all! Now, if I forget to spot clean or it gets a few days past a week and I haven't washed yet, then they begin to smell a bit!

I have had gerbils before and I think they smell sooooooo much more then a guinea pig! My sister had a rabbit, and she didn't clean up after it very well, but it smelled so bad. Guinea pigs do not smell as bad as rabbits!!!!

Fleece is so much better than care fresh bedding (which is what I started with). I use care fresh in the kitchen area still, but the biggest part of my cage is fleece! I love it! And, I am saving so much money!

I can't really tell you the differences between males and females as far as smell because neither my male or my 4 females smell!

Personalities are all completely different. I have five pigs and they all have very different personalities!

Guinea pigs are herd animals so more than one is a good idea! As far as not having time to interact with them, I don't know. I try to give lap time every day, but I am not as good with floor time. I made their cage a bit bigger so they would have room to play because I don't always get the time to put them out for play time! They get out about 2-3 times per week for play time!

I hope some of this was helpful! Good luck making your decision!

I have tons of animals and my piggies are adapting well. It's my first time as well, but I have seemed to not really smell anything. At first, all I could smell was bedding and hay. Good luck!!!!8)

[Blue_Autumn_Sky]

Originally posted by Pumpkin_RIP
A thing that you need to keep in mind though, is to make sure you parents are 100% ready to pay a high vet bill if your pets become sick. Too often parents are unwilling to take the pet to the vet, because they ignorantly think the pet isn't worth it. This is NOT true. So just make sure your parents understand their part of the deal. Good Luck!!

Thanks for the info about the sows and boars. I was leaning toward sows myself. And as for my parents and the vet, that's one thing about my parents that I consider myself blessed; they are willing to spend money on vet bills, as they love animals as much as I do and hate to see them suffer. Also, I have a part-time job so I could pay the vet bills myself if it comes to that.

Out of curiousity though, how often does the average guinea pig need to visit the vet outside of check-ups? Guinea pigs aren't prone to disease or something are they?

[FoolOnTheHill]

You sound like a really good piggy-slave to be (Yes, they will become your masters with their wheeking and gosh-that-wasn't-many-veggies-give-me-MORE glares )

I have to say, piggies are one of the cleanest animals you could hope for if you keep up with them. You can rarely "potty train" them but their poop doesn't smell at all. If you're concerned about their smell then definitely go for fleece. I use fleece and you really can't smell my pig other than the hay or rarely pee if I don't change the newspaper underneath for a while.
Personally I've always had boars. (4 over the past few years). My first, Bodger and Badger, were from a breeder (tut tut) where they were kept in different hutches. I guess I got lucky because they were best buddies from the start. I think it is more to do with their personality than their gender. Both have their "down sides" on the health side. If you have boys you are meant to clean their butt to stop them getting impaction and females are at risk of ovarian cysts etc, unless they're spayed, although that carries a risk so you shouldn't do it unless there's a reason. Neutering boys is a less risky operation, and some say it lessens the risk of developing impaction, so you may consider adopting a neutered boy and a girl - thus leaving open the option of adding to your herd!

I found most of my piggies prefer to be running round exploring than sitting on my lap! Most will soften up after a while and sit happily, but no, it doesn't matter if you don't handle them everyday. I didn't and mine were happy enough. More important to make sure they have a really spacious and interesting cage (which won't be a problem now you're here!)

Have you been on Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig They have a great care and medical guide which you should read for extra info if you haven't already.
Hope I helped a bit; please feel free to ask any more questions. Have fun with your piggers if you do get some - hope you do! (:

[Pumpkin_RIP]

They aren't prone to disease, and they can't catch viruses. But a check up when the get older is always good so that you can find out if any health problems are there that you can't see. So about a check up once a year, or less if you take great care of them.
That's great that your parents are willing to pay. My parents are also, but I have a friend whose parent would refuse.
Me personally, I have never had to bring them in for other than a check up, except for recently, I got a baby that had URI already, but she is doing good thankfully.

[Pumpkin_RIP]

Actually, about the potty train thing, My pigs are in the process of being potty trained and it is suprisingly easy. It all depends on your pig I suppose.

[Sammy and Peanut]

Guinea pigs should go to the vet once a year or less if you'd like. It is really easy for them to get sick so you may have to watch out. An average vet trip for me is around 40-50 dollars.

[Blue_Autumn_Sky]

Originally posted by FoolOnTheHill
[FONT=Verdana]You sound like a really good piggy-slave to be[/FONT]

You have no idea how much that relieved me

Originally posted by Sammy and Peanut
[FONT=Verdana]Guinea pigs should go to the vet once a year or less if you'd like. It is really easy for them to get sick so you may have to watch out. An average vet trip for me is around 40-50 dollars. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Thanks for the tip. And thanks to everyone elses posts that I didn't quote. You all are so helpful.[/FONT]

[Sammy and Peanut]

Ooops! I made a mistake that I jsut noticed after the 10 minutes was up! Instead of "take them to the vet once a year or less if you'd like." I meant to put "take them to the vet once a year or more if you'd like." Sorry! I am zoning out too much today!

[Rattie Mom]

We have rabbits, piggies AND rats. So I think I can safely address the smell and social questions. Our two piggie girls are our first, so I can't compare them to boys or other piggie personalities.

We use fleece and litter boxes with wood pellets. It has taken some training, but our girls are getting very good about using their box. I'd say they were at about 80% fully trained, which I hear is pretty darn good.

My rats are also litter trained, as are the bunns. In my opinion, rats are THE cleanest, but of course, they eat more than just veggies, so their poo will smell more.

Rats are by far more social that both bunnies and piggies. We interact with all of them daily. But if my rats don't get to come out for playtime, they are like little kids that are cooped up in the house. They'll even bicker with each other, if they miss playtime one day. My bunnies have their crate door open and have free range of our kitchen. They like to interact with us, but honestly could care less about being picked up or cuddled. They are happy to have us play with their toys with them etc.

My piggies like when I talk to them and especially feed them (I was amazed how much piggies EAT) But they too don't seem to care as much about being held, cuddled or brought out for playtime (they will hide most of the time they are out). But I think mine are just taking a little longer because they were from rescue and weren't socialized when I got them. If they don't come out, I will still stop by, talk with them, give them treats (veggies) and make sure they know I'm here. They seem to enjoy the sound of my voice and I know many folks here have piggies that love to be cuddled. I would venture to assume their piggies wouldn't be depressed if they missed a day out of their cage (as long as it's a nice big cage, like they show you how to make on this site. We started with a 2x3 w/loft. We've already moved up to a 2x4 w/loft and are building a play area with ramp off of that...so they will have lots of room).

We change the piggie's litter boxes twice a week and do a thorough cleaning once a week. Our piggies and bunns are about the same smell wize, but I'd have to say the piggies smell a tad more (only because they aren't fully litter trained yet and pee on their blankies sometimes). But the smell is more like wet hay, than a nasty dirty cage smell.

The thing I like most about the piggies, is their cute little faces, lips and the wonderful sounds they make. Rats and bunnies are very quiet. Piggies love to sing for their dinner and I still giggle everytime I hear them "wheak".

We took our piggies to the vet for exams right after we adopted them. We wanted to be sure they were in good health to start with.

I adore my bunnies, don't get me wrong. But I think they only tolerate us. My piggies seem to like me (and getting more interested in me everyday), but I fell in love with them the day I brought them home. Just thinking about them puts a smile on my face.

[Blue_Autumn_Sky]

Thanks for the very informative response Rattie Mom. You're comparison between rats, pigs and rabbits really was interesting. My own rats were lazy boys and slept in their own poo, so I was nervous for a minute that guinea pigs were dirtier, when I noticed the litter box point. My own rats were very much NOT litter trained.

For my guinea pigs I was planning to hang their hay over a seperate box with bedding in it so that they would (hopefully) do most of their peeing and pooing there. Would this help with the smell if the rest of the cage had fleece?