have allergic ds, would like a pet, please tell me about guinea pigs if you can !

[cheeryface]

i desperatly want a dog really but ds2 is allergic to them. there is a chance he might tolerate a yorkie or a poodle but i am too worried to try it out.

seems o.k with hamsters (have had school hamster here for a week) but they are boring!

so, guinea pigs ?

no nothing about them so would be glad of any advice. thanx

well, his eyes were a mess this morning and he was sneezing but thats how he often is with hayfever so don't really know if there was a reaction to the guinea.

it was bloody cute and we want some aaaaaaaaargh

the only way i could tell is if i waited till october and put him near some then

stirlingmum, so, you react without even touching them ?

Guineapigs are gorgeous pets. We have 11! (In a huge run with a door and several hutches)
Ours are out all year round, but make elaborate bits to make sure they're very warm- so it's possible to keep them out all yr. Hutch lined with old carprt undeer newspaper and loads and loads of hay.
they are really very sweet, rarely bite ( ours haven't ever, but when nervous I think they can) very appreciative of different food and put up with cuddling and brushing.

I hope your kids aren't allergic, but p'raps best to try out first at a petting farm or something? Lots of those farm family places let you hold guineas.

Yes, it is something airbourne, something released when they urinate.
My neighbour has some that she keeps in the garden, but she allows them inside sometimes and if I visit her house I feel symptoms of the allergy coming on even if they haven't been in the house for a couple of days.

sounds severe stirlingmum

like i say , no way of knowing until the hayfever is over as he's on a cocktail of things and is still getting symptoms.

although from what i can gather it's possible to be o.k for a year or longer and THEN develop an allergy!

if i am being sensible then i suppose we stick to the fish....not much fun tho

Hmmm, I am allergic to animal dander, incl poodles which are meant to be less allergy causing, and birds make me really ill.

I found petalcleanse useless. Guinea pigs also set me off, (even outside), if played with, but not

Went to Gp as I was so desperate to have a furry pet, and asked for allergy shots. She was adamant-NO FURRY PETS. I ignored her, and "borrowed" a dog for 2 weeks. Took anti-histamines, AND used petalcleanse.....have never felt so awful....th dog had to go.

I would get your lo tested for all animal allergies before you commit to buying anything, the trauma of seperation is just too much. Usual thing is: allergic to one type of animal, usually allergic to them all.

Had to go to hospital after going near horses when I was 17.....

That was mean to read "but not hamsters"....wonder where the hamster word went to

wonder why hamsters are better then ?
don't want a hamster though as they are nocturnal.

part of me wants to go out and buy some guineas today and take a chance...

hmmmm probably disastrous!

Pets at home better than i thought!

had a look in there and bought some bits for our goldfish. they said that should we buy guinea pigs from them and be allergic that they would take them and the hutch back, full refund, up to 2 months.

still haven't bought any though.