A Guinea pig or a rabbit? **The decision is made!!! Update post #44

[dainerra]

we have both. I asked my daughter (age 10 1/2) which she would prefer and she voted guinea pig. She got Hammie for her bday 2 years ago. He knows his name, comes when called. and recognizes her footsteps coming in the front door.

 

[bt03]

Quote:
What is this amazing stuff and where can I get it? I had no idea they made anything like this!

Tab003- We wouldn't even know where to begin as far as showing. But I like the suggestions as to what to get in case she decides she wants to get into the show business because she has crazy ideas but I always try to encourage whatever she chooses to try

dianerra- your daughter is beautiful and her guinea pig is pretty cute to

I want her to be surprised but I'd love for her to pick what she wants. We are probably going to go back and forth for a few more months unless my husband bites the bullet and chooses for both of us:/

 

[CupOJoe42]

How about a kitten? Less maintenance... just food, water, and a litter box and they live longer.

 

[saddina]

I'd like to suggest checking with your local shelters as well. All of my bunnies have been dropped off at the shelters a few weeks after easter, once the kids who get them in thier baskets are done with them. The shlter will already have fixed them, at a cheaper cost than if you'd gone to the vet yourself, and it's fairly common to find buns that are only 2-3 months old. I vote rabbit as they litterbox train easy (mine are far faster than my cats were). Twice a week we pick up the box (we use the recycled newspaper litter, and a pinch of baking soda), take it straight to the garden, and add it to the tomatoes. it's perfect fertalizer pellets, no need to compost. Mocha is also leash trained with a harness, we got outside, he nibbles at the grass and stays close enough for the hawks not to bother him.

 

[dainerra]

we didn't let Allie "pick" per se. She loves to look at the animals where ever we go, so had been looking at guinea pigs for quite a while.

 

[Johndeere96]

for sure rabbit!

 

[bt03]

Now I'm unsure again

She has researched and researched both pets and their care. I didn't know that a guinea pig needs extra vitamin C every day until she told me. I really don't know what to get her. She has a cat already that my dad gave her after rescuing it from an older "cat lady". It really is a great cat but she sleep most of the day because she is a mouser and is active all night long working for her rent

I would like to get her a guinea pig with morning hair ( her words) or a smaller breed rabbit to start with. I'm going to call the local shelter in the morning because after reading some of the posts I just realized ours might have some even if I haven't seen them. Except for our ducks and chickens our other pets are rescue pets (some of the chickens are rescues to). My cat came from a shelter, her's came from an older woman who couldn't care for her, and my husband's dog was rescued from a neglectful family (poor thing had a broken hip for 3 months before we got her

) I like the hard luck cases, that's why I'm not allowed to go to the animal shelter, because I try to take them home and save them all.

 

[saddina]

i only go to the shelter when already in the market for a new animal. We agreed on a max capacity for each kind of animal, and once they pass from old age, we usually rescue another. I have a cat who's on the wind down now, we've had her for 6 years, and when we brought her home, they'd estimated she was 4.

 

[dainerra]

guinea pigs need Vit C, but they get it from their veggies. Both rabbits and guinea pigs need to have more than just pellets to eat. Some rabbit vets recommend as little as one oz of pellets a day, the bulk of the diet being hay and fresh veggies. Similar for guinea pigs.

 

[ilovemypeeps]

Well, I've had both and both are fairly et so I don't have to clean up after them. When they were in the house I had to clean up after them.... often! I have Mini Rex Rabbits. If you get a Mini or Dwarf breed instead of a standard sized breed or Flemish Giant size then size isn't that big of an issue (for me). Guinea Pigs are fun.... they actually learn who their owners are and make noises when their owner comes in the room! Has you daughter said which of the two she would like to have most? If she has I would go ahead and get whichever one she wants most. If she hasn't I'd go for the rabbit (since your husband wants one and because they are great pets)! PM me with any questions about rabbits or guinea pigs.... I'll try to answer!