Guinea Pigs

[Dakotah]

What can yall tell me about them?
I've really became amazed by these little fellas and I'm looking at getting one (probably not til I come back from Germany in Decemeber).

Tell me anything and everything about them.

[Zoom]

They're cute and funny and kind of smelly. They make all sorts of chirrups, squeaks and whistles, which are hilarious and cute until it's 2:30am and you have to be awake in 3 hours. I had a black and white I named Enzo and he was adorable, though I think I really preferred my rats over a piggie.

[2pups622]

They are a lot more work then people think. They should be in pair's, They need a large cage preferably a C&C cage.
Guinea Pig Cages

a variety of Fresh veggie's daily (a cup).
Unlimited hay.
Plus Floor time.
Vet care is expensive since they have to see an exotic's vet Just the exam fee is Over $50 in most places.

I use fleece & towel's for there bedding which is alot better for them.

If you can get past all of that & still want one there great pet's. They are hilarious to watch run around.
My Girl's.

[Dakotah]

Awww your a cute, 2pups622.

I'm use to the weird noises and waking up at 2:30am, we have neighbors lol.

How trainable are they? I've read that they can be harnessed trained and such.

[2pups622]

NO harnesses or leashes or Hamster ball's, All very bad for them They can get seriously injured.
They need free run or playpen run's on the floor.

[2pups622]

Oh just wanted to add My Girl's sleep threw the night. If you have them in used area they get use to your schedule & will be up all day & sleep all night.

[Dakotah]

Thanks for clearing up the harness thing.

Where did you get your piggies from?

[CaliTerp07]

I had a half dozen guinea pigs growing up. They make great little pets! Their lifespan is quite a bit longer than rats and hamsters (mine lived ~7 years--a guess, since they were all shelter piggies)

2pups622 is right, they are social critters. Females usually get along with other females--2 males rarely do. You can get them fixed to have a m/f pair, but the surgery can be dangerous on the little guys, especially if you don't have a really experienced vet. We mostly had boy piggies, so we'd set their exercise pens up near enough to each other that they could chatter through the fence.

Our piggies went out to exercise each morning. We'd set up show pens in the grass, covered by a sheet, and they'd run around during the day. At night, they'd come into their cage. They need about the same amount of space as rabbits, so it's a fairly large cage. Their feet are super small, so you don't want them on wire bottomed cages. Look for the kind where the bottom is solid, to fill with shavings or hay.

They are smart little critters, but I wouldn't call them trainable, really. Mine learned really quick that when they heard the fridge opening, it often meant food, and they'd start the squeaking chorus! Their biggest accomplishment though, was just being a lap pet. We'd hold them at night while we were watching TV, or have them on our laps while doing homework. Most were content to snuggle up under a blankie, though a few were too squirmy to ever hold still!

A few of the many piggies to come through my house!


Travis


Rusty (and two of his less chattery buddies!)


Squeaky Pete, destroying a Lego castle

[Dakotah]

Cali- Thanks! Your piggies are adorable.

I was looking into rescuing one, but Im not sure if we have them in shelters around here, I've never seen them. I know Petsmart/Petco has them but I wouldn't know much about how they treat theirs so I'd be hestiate to get one from there.
I'm really fond of the brown and white GPs.
Just to throw this in here, I use to own a rabbit a couple years ago and had him for 5 years before he died. *RIP Gus*.

[CaliTerp07]

Have you checked petfinder or craigslist? We even have a local rescue group that is specific to guinea pigs!

I'd stay away from petstores--"Guinea pig mills" are as real as puppy mills, believe it or not