Do you think I should get a guinea pig?

[Figaro]

I am young and I have plenty of time on my hands. I plan on getting a GP soon and I have about $75 dollars or so... My mom can deal with the vet if needed. I plan on making my own C&C cage and I can pretty much only get one Guinea. I have 2 dogs and a cat. My cat is usually outside 24/7. Do you think I am eligible to have a GP?

[Kenny__]

Maybe keep the cat away, but other than that WACHAA! GET ONE!

[Figaro]

xD
GEORGE LOPEZ BABY!
Thanks bud.

[Kenny__]

No problemo. WHAPPA!

[Peggysu]

If you can only get one guinea pig than I would say you shouldn't get one. It's not fair for a guinea pig to be housed alone. They should be in at least pairs because they are herd animals.

[Paula]

I'm not sure why you started this thread again, but there aren't really "eligibility" issues on having guinea pigs, unfortunately. Here are just some things to think about, and I'm basing this not just on what you said here, but on what you said in your other thread asking this same question. (http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...uinea-pig.html)

Pigs are very rewarding little creatures, but they are also very fragile little creatures, and unfortunately they can many times end up paying the price for their owners' lack of education and experience. A lot of times their lives can depend on their owner knowing them well enough to notice the most subtle of changes in their behavior, eating habits, and mannerisms. And knowing them well enough to notice such seemingly minor things requires a tremendous time investment, so my question would be - do you have that? Between school and work and your friends, do you think you have the time for that?

Pigs are expensive. Their veggies and hay and pellets can get spendy.
Pigs are messy. You'll be picking up hay and poo and bedding (depending on what you choose to use) a LOT. Does that sound like a boat of fun?

Pigs need companionship of like kind. They are herd animals and thrive in environments of at least two (same sex or altered pair).

Pigs need adequate space, and if you're going to get two (which is in the best interest of the pigs), that means building at least a 2x4 C&C or alternate cage. (Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home).

Pigs need vet care as much and many times more than dogs and cats, and many times, because they are "exotics" the cost of that vet care can soar. Here's an example - in November of last year my pig Oreo was diagnosed with a bladder stone that had to be removed that day, or, the vet cautioned, he probably would not have survived into the next day. We had the stone removed that day. That surgery, and his follow up care that week, cost $900. Then, in late January, Oreo developed another stone, and had another surgery. Shortly thereafter he started having problems with his recovery and underwent an additional surgery. The cost of those two surgeries and attendant procedures, was $1700. Not to mention the cost of the vet visits in January and all diagnostics we opted to have for him. Do you have that kind of money to spend if your pig or pigs become ill and need such treatment? Do you think your mom would be willing to spend that kind of money on this pet?

Pigs are very, very endearing little creatures, and the benefits of having them in your life far outweigh the challenges, but they are not for everyone, and the decision to acquire them should not be made without knowing exactly what those challenges might be.

I commend you for asking these questions beforehand, but my advice would be to spend a significant amount of time looking into what's really needed to house and home these animals correctly.

[Kenny__]

Gah. You make it sound like NO ONE should EVER get a guinea pig or any other animal. If youre pig was having that many problems, then maybe you should be looking into where he came from BEFORE you bought him/her. Im positive not every single guinea pig will have bladder stones, or another big problem that costs money. My mom had a guinea pig, and it never had any problems. She already has a plan set out, and good living conditions. I think, as long as shes able to get food, water, and a good living enviroment, her little guinea would be fine.

[Kenny__]

and happy!

[Figaro]

Oh yeah!
:]
Thanks.

[Paula]

You're right - not every pig will have stones or other problems. But the possibility exists that they might, and before you get them as pets you need to know that they might and what you could be getting into.

And I didn't buy ANY of my pigs, nor would I ever, given the massive overpopulation problem that exists today.

If your friend (and you, for that matter) are actually interested in learning about these animals BEFORE acquiring one, you'll look into all possible health issues and other challenges they might face.

[Kenny__]

I did. BLEH

[akstrohm]

Figaro- Please read Paula's post very carefully and look into all the issues she brought up. If you do that and still believe that you can take proper care of a pig for it's entire lifespan (and your parents are in agreement), then I would contact a rescue and see if they have any pigs who do not get along with others. This is not very common, and if you can't find any such pigs, I recommend that you do not get any pigs at all. It's just not fair to them.

[sophistacavy]

No offense, but a lone guinea pig that is adopted on purpose to be just that: a lonely only guinea pig......is just about animal cruelty in my opinion. Unless it really cannot be happy housed with other piggies (which is about a one in a million chance as akstrohm mentioned), then I would never consider that anything else but neglect and abuse.

Also, no reputeable rescue or hopefully even shelter will let you adopt just one guinea pig, unless you already have one or more at home.

Welcome to GPC forum! Hopefully, we can assist you in making an informed decision. Perhaps you should have your parents read over your two threads, and they can help you to understand what we are trying to get across to you.

[Figaro]

?
It's not like I don't understand...
Couldn't the Guinea Pig be raised like that?
I don't understand why people would want more than one..other than
because it's a herd animal. I would like to spoil him and give him tons of
attention. Plus he wont always be alone. He could visit my friends GP.
Soon I will have $200 and I will give my guinea the best supplies/foods needed.
If I don't get 2 will he die or something...?

[akstrohm]

Please read this page, including the part at the end:
Guinea Pigs Social Life

Guinea pigs do in fact live longer when kept in pairs or groups. If you were the only human in the world surrounded by a bunch of giants who didn't speak like you or act like you, would you be happy? Or would you rather have another human to talk to and play with?

A guinea pig cannot relate to you in the same way as it can relate to another pig, regardless of how well you care for it, how much time you spend with it, or how much you love it. Seeing your friend's guinea pig will not be sufficient. In fact, it may be really stressful as they will have to constantly work out who is dominant.

Also please keep in mind than $200 will be enough to make a cage and buy some basic supplies, but an unexpected vet emergency can certainly be over $1000. Plus your pigs will need high quality pellets, unlimited hay, and a variety of fresh vegetables every day. This can get more expensive than you might think.

[claire]

"I don't understand why people would want more than one..other than
because it's a herd animal."

You say that like it's unimportant. It might be to you, but to a guinea pigs mental wellbeing it's hugely important. Please read this:- Guinea Pigs Social Life Keeping animals is about doing what's best for them, not about what's convenient to you. Only when you understand and accept that having pets means putting their needs first, should you think about getting any.

[Ly&Pigs]

xD
GEORGE LOPEZ BABY!
Thanks bud.

No problemo. WHAPPA!

Alright kiddies, stop with this kind of crap or you will find yourselves in a cage. This is a forum not your personal playground.

[Figaro]

Gah..
Sorry! I didn't know this place was so strict..

[Fairfax]

Holy crow people. You are making it sound bad about getting a guinea pig in the first place. Figaro, yes, guinea pigs are herd animals but you dont HAVE to have more than one. having two IS a big resonsiblity i must admit, im getting a third one this week. My firstr pig oreo, i adopted her not knowing where she came from. The SPCA thought she was a male but noo shes a female. I adopted her when she was 2.5 and know she is almost 6. for the first two years of owning her she was alone and with no other guinea pigs.

Now yes you can GET a guinea pig and not have to get two. maybe in the future you will want to get another one. As long as you are giving your new piggy lots of attention i dont see the issue.

Animals do get sick and it happens whether some of us like it or not. As long as you do your abselute best for your piggy thats all that matters.

message me if you have any questions.
People are very negative on this site about getting a guinea pig. You people should show the positives towards it. Please

[Paula]

People are very negative on this site about getting a guinea pig.

People on this site aren't negative about getting a guinea pig. They are "negative" about people who want to get them without the willingness to provide proper homes and care for them. I'm sorry, but kids that come here to play and message their friends probably don't have a realistic grasp on the true commitment that's actually needed to care for them correctly.

The bottom line is they are not the throw away pets they are quite frequently thought to be. They deserve the best we can give them and if a person is honestly interested in doing what's best for their pets they will realize that and do everything they can to make sure all of their requirements are met and that they have everything they need to live and thrive as happy little companion animals.

And if "doing your best" doesn't meet their basic needs, then NO, it's not "all that matters."