Pros and Cons for Guinea Pigs

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Bec

Bec

THE Delaware Blue Hen
12 Years
Feb 21, 2007
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Home Of The Delaware Blue Hen
I want to hear all the good and bad about guinea pigs! My kids are wanting a small pet and I suggested rats. I had them growing up and think they are wonderful! BUT since DH will be feeding them, he chose guinea pigs. I like guinea pigs and had them too when growing up, but forget a lot about them.
 
I had one quite a few years ago and the only problem with them was that they were kinda noisy at times. The do this squeaking noise that drove me batty. I eventually donated him to a pre-school in the area.

My daughter wanted a rat a couple years ago but the smell coming from the cage made me say noooo way!

We ended up with a hamster. Cute, small and quiet.
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I had pigs growing up. I had a lot of fun with them. Mine never once bit me and were used to me lugging them around. I guess I don't have anything bad to say about them. Of course they can get a little stinky if you don't keep up on their cage, but that is a given with any animal.
We just got 2 rats last year. One had to be put to sleep because of a tumor and we got a new one with in a couple of weeks. Dh was not keen on getting rats for the kids and it took him a few months to see the good in them. He started talking to them and giving them treats. Then he held the baby and then moved on the the adult. Guess what he bought me for a surprise last Sunday?
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A little baby rat. How romantic huh?
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My point is that some people can end up liking them if they begin begin ignorant about them.
 
Awww, that is so sweet. This past summer, my hubby came in with something behind his back. He told me to close my eyes and put out my hand. He layed a stick in my hand and on the end was a tomato horn worm.....so sweet!! He knows how much I love them!


I wish I could talk him into rats, I never liked mine that I had 12 years ago. I miss them :eek:(
My guinea pigs were cool, but my mom keep reminding me how messy they were. I don;t remember that part...
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I had a guinea pig named Zelda when I was a kid. They do get noisy, but I always thought it was cute! This from the lady that likes the sound of roosters crowing... so take that as you will. The first time our little Zelda squealed it was when she heard us breaking apart a head of lettuce. From across the house we heard, "REEEEEEEEE, REEEEEEEE, REEEEEEE!!!!!!!" She wanted her share of the goods!
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You have to keep on top of cleaning up their cages. They can get really stinky, and sitting in dirty cages can cause health issues for them. No cedar or pine for small mammals. Stick with Aspen shavings for bedding.

They can make a great pet. They are very very sweet personality-wise. At least mine was. But when you let it out or hold it, have a towel and some Clorox wipes handy. The poop isn't bad. It resembles brown pieces of rice. Its when they pee all over the place that things get yucky.

P.S. When our little girl finally passed away, she waited until ALL family members were home to say goodbye before she let go. She'd been sick for a good few days. We took her to the vet and discovered she had gotten a seed (sunflower) stuck on her teeth and couldn't eat or drink during that time. He couldn't do anything for her. We couldn't see it because she had very fluffy/fuzzy cheeks, and we tend to not get critters right up in our face to see that close in their mouths. Especially when they've got a big set of choppers.
 
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I have 4 Piggies right now. I love them. They are soft cuddly and cute. I think their sounds are so sweet sounding. Get some Piggies you won't regret it at all.
 
I used to have piggies and they are so much fun to watch!!! They do the funniest things... I didn't think they where anymore messy than a rat or hampsters... (they are a tad bigger so they poop a tad more)

I loved to hear them squeal...
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We had two guinea pigs. One lived for 6 years, the other one died shortly after. I loved them! They would squeak when we got home wanting out of their cage and treats. You do have to keep up on their pen, keep them healthy and nails trimmed. I even gave mine baths all the time...they loved the blow dryer!

Don't just get one...they get very lonely!
 
I have 7 Cavies right now and I really enjoy them!
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They are all a little wheeking chorus when they hear my first stir in the morning ..even before my feet hit the floor.. and they greet me with more of the same when my car pulls into the driveway. Of course, they also respond in unison to any scrunching of bags ..and the sound of the refrigerator door opening
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The boys are great couch potato companions.. even some net surfin' ..but the girls love to go go go.. and get a scritch and a nuzzle of love in between more go go go....
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They require a large cage, in spite of what the pet shop folks will tell you ..and they thrive on fresh timothy hay, a quality pellet and fresh "salads" every day!! They also need some "romp" time outside their cage.

Sooo.. if you don't mind a little noise coming from a pair of piggies that are happy to see you and want to play ..can afford a large enough space for their cage ..and can overlook a little strewn about hay ever'so often ....I don't see any issue with pigs.

Oh.. and the slight "barn" smell of hay and an herbivore's poo ..well, that can be overcome with frequent cleaning and potty training
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If it is okay to post a link, check out cavycages.com. Lots of great cavy information. Your kids and hubby will probably have as much fun building the cage and adding on to it as they will with the little guys themselves.

Sarah
 

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