Do guinea pigs make good pets?

[Zidion]

What type of animals are they? Are they playful? Are they kind of like rabbits?

I'm interested in maybe getting one, but really dont know much about them.

 

[pennick]

Hi. I enjoy watching my guinea pigs. You should have 2 pigs, 2 females or 2 males to keep each other company. I am more of a watcher than an interacter. I made a 3 level c&c cage and when they are active I enjoy watching them eat, run around, run up and down the ramps, etc. I take them out at times for lap time where I just pet them. This suits me fine. I don't know if I would call them playful. 2 piggies chasing each other or one just running around their cage, thats playful. They wont play with you. They will eat from your hand, cry out for their veggies or a treat. I dont know much about rabbits. I have read that they are similar to rabbits. This description is being given by my experience with my piggies. Others may give you other descriptions.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

They are more cuddlely than playful, they will chase eachother around, but you don; t really play with them as much as you watch them play and adventure around their cage.

 

[mncavylover]

First off, adopt two pigs. Secondly, read up on this site and www.guinealynx.info. Happy reading!

 

[dansamy]

Do guinea pigs make good pets?

Nope. They make awful pets. They're noisy and smelly. And they bite!

Gotcha! Just kidding! They are good pets. More interesting than fish. (To me anyway.) They can get noisy, though. Particularly if the dinner salad is late.

 

[agpiggy]

they r good pets but they r not like dogs or cats lol and they will not play chase or anything. they love to eat vegies as well! and i agree.... so much more interesting than fish, im sure my dad would object with that though lol

 

[pennick]

Just have to add because some people are saying "more interesting than fish" dont want you to think having guinea pigs are easy. Just stick them in a cage, feed them whatever and give them attention whenever. It can be time consuming. Trying to get the best pellets, find them the best hay which they must have at all times, changing their water bottle every day. Cleaning out their cage. Buy them veggies and fruit which you must feed them everyday. Watching for illnesses just like any other animal. Trying to socialize with them and making them feel at home. There is alot of work involved especially in the beginning. You have to be prepared to take them to a vet when you get them for a checkup. Majority of them have parasites when you get them and have to be treated. Its not all fun and games, there is much more involved. So think very carefully if this is what you want.

 

[agpiggy]

and what ever you do dont buy from a pet shop!!!

 

[LiciaMommycott]

GPs are good pets in that they are gentle and fun to watch and of all the little rodent like animals they are my favorite. Plus the are not nocturnal so they aren't noisy and annoying at night. They won't play with you so much but they are fun to watch run around with each other.

However, for small animals they require a surprising amount of upkeep. The cage must very large and requires frequent cleaning. Depending on where you get it, the hay and bedding can be very expensive. They also require daily fresh fruit and veggies in addition to pelleted guinea pig food. All of that adds up to a lot of money and a lot of work. Make sure you take all of that into consideration before adopting 2 or more pigs.

 

[Zidion]

is there a list of breedesr or something? Only place I know around here is pet store.

 

[agpiggy]

Dont buy off breeders either!! Do you know of any rescues aorund your area that have guineapigs?? you could do a search on the internet or something. there is a website but im not sure what it is......

 

[Amanda]

Be careful, they are addictive. Can't just stop at one or two.

 

[Zidion]

Dont buy off breeders either!! Do you know of any rescues aorund your area that have guineapigs?? you could do a search on the internet or something. there is a website but im not sure what it is......

hmm. really? Ok, ill loook for some shelters. I think there is one listed on petfinder but not sure how far it is from me exactly (couple hours maybe?).

 

[dansamy]

I said they are more interesting than fish because, while I like fish, I don't find them fun to watch unless I have 2 bettas in tanks next to each other so that they are displaying their fins often. However, since the fin display is an act of aggression, the constant display is stressful to the fish. I do not wish to have stressed out pets.

GPs are a helluva lotta work. They poop a LOT! But, so did my babies when they were little and still breastfed. I cleaned up after them, and I clean up after my GPs.

And you cannot just put fish into a tank and toss feed in occasionally and expect them to live. The ammonia-nitrogen balance is a very precarious perch that you must constantly assess. The only fish I've ever owned that outlived a horrendous disturbance that took weeks to correct was a catfish who unfortunately developed an infection that left him blind. You can get lucky and get a pretty stable set-up your 1st try. OR it can take you a long time if you've got very chemically-processed water to start with. We have bad city water. We eventually had to buy water to use in the aquarium.

 

[critterlover]

Guinea pigs are very entertaining and are fascinating to watch, especially their social behavior. In my experience, they are not really cuddly affectionate pets like cats or loyal companions likes dogs, although I know many people who cuddle their pigs. Their main focus is eating *a lot*, not to mention pooping constantly! And of course running around and sleeping.

Guinea pigs are alot of work and cost more money than a cat. Every day, you will be cleaning the cage, buying veggies, changing the water, adding more hay. So there is definately a financial and time commitment to consider.

If animal behavior fascinates you and you don't mind the work involved, guinea pigs make great pets.

And you cannot just put fish into a tank and toss feed in occasionally and expect them to live.

Darn. And I was thinking of getting fish. Thanks for the warning...

 

[ParanoidEv]

Like mentioned a lot, they eat and poop a lot, but you really get something back for that! Piggies can make a lot of sounds, they wheek and go 'brrrrrrrrr' which is very funny to hear. And they can do crazy things, like popcorning around their cage when they are happy, and 'fight' about a little piece of lettuce.

 

[mom to cujo]

My Cujo is as affectionate as any dog or cat. He "kisses" me constantly and purs and when we are on the floor he hangs around me and does play with me. He will lick my nose and my face and come when I call him (unless he thinks it is to go back in his cage!) Sebastian is still new to all this "love" stuff so he is not affectionate yet, but I haven't given up hope. For all the work and feeding they require I find them extremely worth it. I don't find cleaning their cage that much more difficult than cleaning up a cat litter box. I think that they make the most wonderful pets!

 

[kalrik]

I think they are more work than a dog honestly. Last Saturday I spent 7 hours cleaning out the cage, all the hidey houses AND rearranging the cage (which took a long time) It was a thorough clean because I have a mite problem currently, which is another thing one should think of. Also, for some reason mine are not quiet at all, they wake me up several times every night, mostly during the wee hours like 4,5,6 am. But for some reason, after all this cleaning and noise and stink, I ABSOLUTELY love them, they make me soo happy. I started out with one and now I have four. For some reason, I never get sick of caring for them. My biggest one I can hug and really cuddly with. The other ones I stick in my robe pocket and pet them and they purr, it's really cute. It's fun to watch them popcorn around and whatnot. I love my guinea pigs, and even though it's a little more work to have more, it's fun to watch them interact and form their own little society.

 

[guineagurl]

How cute would that be!
P'Jamas Pocket Piggie gang!

 

[agpiggy]

Guineapigs are awesome and cute! i find that when they are younger they are more active and energetic and playful than when they are older. When they are a bit older they like to cuddle and be held a bit more as they are not so curious. This is just from my experiances!!