walks

[guineabeginner]

Hey , I haven't even gotten a guinea pig yet, won't for another week or two, but I've done my research and I feel like it will work out really well. What I would like to know is about walking a guinea pig? I see a guinea pig safe harnesse and leash at the pet store, and would certainly like to get one. I love being outside and would enjoy walking my guinea, but I don't see how walking a guinea pig works? I'd like to know if any of you have taken your guinea pigs for walks? How did it go? Do you suggest it?

[piggly wiggly]

Those are very dangerous for a pigs back, they can injure them badly.

[jump it]

They are very unsafe! They can injure their spine and are too small. You shouldn't just bring your guinea pig outdoors in the first place. It can be hard on their feet and predators are always lurking around. If you want to have them outside, get a play pen and put it out on the lawn so they can munch on untreated and chemical-free grass. Put a towel over for shade and protection. Also I hope you're adopting two guinea pigs and are going to make a big C&C cage. If you want an 'outdoor' pet that you can take walks with, a guinea pig is not going to work for you. It looks too me like you need a dog.

[guineabeginner]

No really it is fine if I can't take it for a walk, I only ment that it would be nice if I could. The harness however was made of a stretchy mesh material that fits around the body of the guinea pig, not a strap...so it looks safe, does this not sound safe? As for getting a dog, that will most likely not happen, and I am quite happy with my choice of a guinea pig ^_^ I do believe I will stick with my choice. I am only getting one, we are rather short on money now, and the cage will not be lavish and big, only the right size for my one guinea pig, as I plan to try to have it outside whenever I get home from school. I suppose I will not get the leash and harness now if they are so very bad for their backs. Thank you much for the advice.

[PiggieMom]

Yep, the harnesses are very dangerous. Guinea pig's backs to do not bend backward very far, so if they jerk wrong they can break their backs on them.

[fourbwabbys]

They are very dangerous, its a waste of money. I also want to recommend getting at least 2 guinea pigs. They are extremely social animals that don't do well by themselves. Two guinea pigs are not much more expensive at all than one.

[guineabeginner]

I'm working out a bigger cage and more than one guinea. Srapped the idea of buying a harness and leash. I would really like for my guine pig to be safe and happy.

[weaseldropping]

A very long time ago when I was young and stupid we went on holiday with 2 pigs in a small cage. Each evening we put them each into a harness and took them walkies. It did not work, but for a more practical reason - guine pigs just don't understand the whole principle of "going for a walk". They will sit motionless and eat a whole dandelion for about 5 mins. Then they will pelt off at about 100 mph to the next dandelion which is all of 10 feet away, then stop still till that is gone. During the mad rush, one off two things will happen: i) because you are responsible and have not tied the harness on too tightly, the pig runs straight out of it and it is a nightmare trying to catch the pig or ii) your arm gets dislocated at the shoulder. We had both happen - I'm really serious abut the shoulder - hurt like pootle!

A nice big secure run is much to be preferred for outdoor playtime.

P.S. Some bright spark will always come up to you and ask what sort of dog it is on the lead - my Mum always said my Peruvian/abby crosses were "Peruvian Guinea-hounds". People always fell for it!

[ilovestars]

When my aunt had my piggies. She had a harness and I don't know if she ever tired to walk them. But when I got them, I throw it out. It didn't even fit them!!

[guineabeginner]

Thanks for the warning guys ^_^ Much appreciated. Ha ha, that is all I wanted advice, warnings, not for my head to be bitten off like in the first two replys. Thanks for being able to calmly tell me it is a bad idea. I will not get one, and have plenty of room in my back yard for a run, infact more than enuff, they will have much fun!

[WindeSpirit]

Bit late coming on a reply but if you have not yet gotten your piggie, try looking into the rescues that have pigs that are 'loners'. Some pigs are destine to be happy alone, if a single pig is what you choose, please look into this.

[guineabeginner]

Hey, already have a happy little cavy named Chum! Have had him for about two weeks or so now. He is wonderful, I adopted him from the SPCA, and I'm currently looking around to adopt him a friend. Look at the introductions section of the forum, and you can read a bit about him. I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

[rshevin]

As expensive as those harness contraptions are, you can probably take the same money and go buy a box of grids and a shower curtain liner for a cool pig-safe cage or at the very least a play pen (for inside!). I know I looked and looked at them for a very long time wondering if they were a good idea. Eventually I decided I would feel far too "overboard" with one and didn't buy it. Later when I learned how unsafe they were, I was glad.

weasel,
I took my pig to visit in my grandmother's senior community. One lady (in the Alzheimer's care area) asked me "Ohhhh, what kind of puppy is that? That's the strangest looking puppy I've ever seen." I patiently explained it was a guinea pig but for the rest of the afternoon she was calling it across the table "Here puppy! Here puppy!" What can I say though, she was smiling.

[weaseldropping]

At least it made her happy!

Seriously, though, it's a nice idea. I have just changed jobs and am now part-time, and am looking into the Pets as Therapy idea, maybe to take our cat round the local hospital. He really is good on a lead and harness, (we found that out when my Mum went to my son's infant school one halloween dressed as a witch and needed a black cat to go with her broomstick and cauldron) but he is brewing up thyroid problems, so it will be after we get him fixed - long story!!! Maybe Ophelia (who is hearing-impaired) would be a good substitute? She is a great pig - have to investigate further.

[rshevin]

I'm no stranger to cats on leads although a lot of them won't tolerate it. My last foster cat was fine with it, if SHE was in the mood. The current one is afraid of everything, including dust bunnies, so I think he's fine inside. So what if he has a thyroid problem? He can still cuddle, although taking in a neutered cat sets a good example. (Can you tell I volunteer at a high-kill shelter?)

When it comes to therapy animals, I'm all for it. You have to call and find out the policies and preferences for every place but how hard could that be? I am actually flying my guinea pig home with me this weekend so we can go visit the senior community again. I enjoyed myself that much.

I would say take the cat one day, take the pig another day. You'll find some people who love the cat but aren't comfortable with the rodent and vice versa. As much as I wish cavies in general had their own classification like rabbits do, they are still rodents and sometimes that bothers folks. All the more piggie love for us.

[weaseldropping]

The thyroid problem is a BIG problem! He has been acting weird for about six months now (he is 11 in March) - he gets intermittently very clingy and needs to be carried everywhere - he will bite if you put him down, then he has a mad fit running up and down stairs for two whole hours, then falls asleep in a pile in the middle of the floor. He is eating for at least four cats, and still losing weight. In this state, taking him anywhere would stress us both out way too much, and I could not depend on him "behaving" when we got there. Once he is "fixed", he should be his normal calm self.

We are waiting on a fully positive blood test for abnormal thyroid function, then he can have a radioactive iodine jab which should sort him out permanently - however the treatment costs £1500 at least, so we would rather have the insurance pay out, and they want a positive blood test. The alternatives are surgical removal of the thyroid, and he has already had one bad reaction to anaesthetic and the vet is not keen to put him under again, or two tablets a day for life. It took the vet FIVE goes to get a worming pill down him last week, so that is not our treatment of choice! All being well, it should be sorted out by Christmas, and apart from driving us mad he seems okay enough in himself - believe me if the vet told me he was suffering we would pay for the treatment tomorrow.

He is definitely neutered - all our animals which could be put in a position where they could reproduce are neutered e.g. we only have female pigs and they are all intact, but none of them has a boyfriend so it is okay!