Guinea Pig VS Ferret

[19hhbelgian]

I've had multiple GP's... They are super cute, and DO have personalities

They like having a friend to be with, but it isn't required... They will popcorn when happy (pop up in the air and squeak), and can be very chatty. Mine would come out of their cage, wonder around, and go back in to do their business! There are also lots of different varieties of GP's. Look them up on the computer. The texel piggies are VERY cute. Soft curly hair

or the, teddy/rex GP's... Short fuzzy hair. I had 2 texel and LOVED them. I kept their hair clipped up and they were adorable!

 

[1stepcloser]

I grew up with rescue ferrets and there is more to them than "cute". They play rough and pinch/roll as a game. Frankly, it can hurt and they are not inclined to let go (ferrets don't let go when they play with other ferrets...they just roll around). They smell. Even after being descented (as all of ours were) they have a strong musky odor that does not go away. Their feces is very strong smelling as well. They can be litter box trained but back up and frankly, tend to "overshoot" their intended mark. They are sweet and require minimal grooming. They require vet care, their nails will need to be trimmed, and they are almost always lonely if they are the only ferret in the home. They really need a minimum of two.

I loved the ones we had but will never own one again. I don't think they make good pets. I think the people who own them love them to death but IMHO, they are not domesticated on the level that cats/dogs are.

 

[cutiepieacres]

I dont know that the two can be compared! I have had and love both. But to say one is better then the other, cant really say.

Guinea pigs have tons of personality but they are more laid back and more of a cuddly sitting your lap for hours type of pet. I have never been bit by any one of my 60 pigs except once when breaking up a fight, that was my fault. They require a bit less room, not as many toys and stuff IMO. If they have an adequate sized caged it nees cleaned one to two times a week. If you get a same sex pair you dont have to worry if one day there is not as much time to get out of the cage as they will have eachother to socialize with. If kept clean there should be no odor besides, bedding and hay.

Ferrets have a much more high strung energy the love to run and play and I think they need to get out of the cage and have run of a whole room at least once a day. They can be cuddly sometimes. They need a big multi level cage with plenty of toys and fleece blankies and a litter box that needs cleaned one to two times per day. Ferrets too do beter in pairs and really enjoy cuddlng with a buddy. Make sure you do your feed research there are a few really good type of food out there for ferrets and its a big deal what they eat health wise. They also need vacinations. Ferrets no matter what have an odor and keeping them clean will minimize but not eliminate it you just get used to it more or less.

Like I said though I really cant choose I love both, that being said though it really depends on your situation and what is right for your home...

 

[fowltemptress]

I always preferred GPs, but I would never recommend having just one, for the same reasons I wouldn't recommend having just one chicken. My brother and mother loved ferrets, and kept their area impeccably clean, but I must have a more sensitive nose because even when we only had one female it REAKED. My mother must have spent hundreds of dollars on products and hours cleaning trying to find some way to make the smell bearable to me and another brother of mine who has the same sensitive nose I do. I have NEVER known anything to smell as bad as a ferret . . . I have a hard time choosing whether I'd rather be in a room filled with exploding rotten eggs, or in a room with one ferret. If you decide to let her get one, spend a while with a ferret first to see if the smell is something you can live with. GPs, on the other hand, smell wonderful. I love burying my nose in their hair.

But . . . if she's bored with guinea pigs before ever even getting one, by all means, go with her judgment and don't bother with it. There's no point in getting her something she's not excited about in the first place.

 

[lurky]

I have had both, and loved both, but GP's are much easier in every way.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Do a search and see if there is a ferret rescue nearby. Perhaps some time volunteering will help her decide if that is the pet for her. I've never had GP, but have had 9 ferrets over the past 15 years. I have love them all to pieces, but they are time consuming. You need to have done your research before adding one to the family. They take every bit as much time as a dog. It is not a pet that can stay in a cage. They also have fairly expensive illnesses as they age. You would need to make sure that you are financially prepared for their eventual needs. A trial run at the shelter might help you decide if your family (and daughter specifically) want to take this on.

Good luck! They are delightful, crazy little critters!

 

[gaited horse]

I love my gps they are cuddly they like to be with you I have only been nipped once by m gp and thats cuz she was scared.

 

[rainplace]

I didn't read the question before voting... I was oh oh oh I love ferrets. So I would change my vote to GP if were able.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

My sil had GP's and she hated them. Her mil asked her if she could give my nephew a hamster and sil reluctantly agreed. Well she came over with two GP's. My sil has asthma and she had trouble the whole time they had the GP's. She was actually relieved when they finally died. As cute as they can be they are a cage animal and unless you really like to clean that cage it becomes a burden quickly. She also told me that she had to get theirs some vitamin supplement. She said they were very messy always kicking the bedding out of the cage all over the floor.

 

[embkm]

For a 13 year old, I would absolutely pick GPs. Unless YOU are willing to end up being the one to take care of the ferret. At 13, she may spend a ton of time with a ferret, but they can live up to 10 years. Can you really see her spending the time she would need to when she is 18, or 21? If she goes to college, I don't know of any that would let a ferret in a dorm. I would let her get the GPs now... she can get a ferret when she is older and on her own.