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Original poster

To get guinea pigs even if dd2 doesn't want them?

77 replies

Dancergirl · 15/05/2018 11:26

Youngest dd (11) is a real animal lover. We have a cat and she would love other pets. Ideally she'd love a dog but for various reasons it's too big a commitment at the moment.

We have nearly agreed that dd can get a pair of guinea pigs which she is very excited about (as am I, I really like animals too).

However dd2 (15) is really against any more pets. She's just not interested in animals and I respect that. She doesn't like the cat but they keep out of each other's way. The guinea pigs will be even more out of her way as they will either be in the spare bedroom or in a secure run in the garden. Dd2 won't have to interact with them at all.

Little dd is probably on the autistic spectrum, we are getting her assessed at the moment. Apart from being cute pets, I think the GPs will help relax her and keep her calm.

How do I keep everyone happy??

OP posts:
5foot5 · 15/05/2018 17:09

but they still has a ‘pet whiff’. They were both boys so I’m not sure if that made a difference?

I have two- they’re wee bastards. And they do stink. It could be because they are boars though

That's interesting. I wonder if the sex does make a difference. We always had females and they were never whiffy. And no it wasn't node blindness I am sure as I have a fairly acute sense of smell. Admittedly we changed their bedding pretty much daily and gave the cage a good scrub once a week.

We decided on females in the first place because the man in the per shop said he wouldn't recommend males as pets for a little girl as it might lead to a lot of explanation. Males apparently will try to mate with almost anything!

Original poster
Dancergirl · 15/05/2018 17:29

Oh dear, the two we have reserved are male! I have also heard that males can fight but that may be a myth.

OP posts:
Mari50 · 15/05/2018 18:03

Boys don’t fight as long as they’re siblings.
Mine were stinky from the get go- it’s just a pet smell. That said they went to a small pets ‘hotel’ and when they came back they were absolutely stinking cause their sex glands were awoken by the presence of girly piggies nearby.
Get girls don’t get boys as boys are antisocial!!!

sweeneytoddsrazor · 15/05/2018 19:14

Boys don’t fight as long as they’re siblings.

Some do unfortunately.

Mari50 · 15/05/2018 20:24

God they have even less to recommend them then......

Dillydallyontheway · 15/05/2018 20:51

We have two boars and they are very friendly and don't stink at all. I think they are lovely pets, very little work and really cheap if you source big bags of hay and a local greengrocer/ somewhere that sells cheap veggies. We are planning on growing a lot of our own veg for them this year too which will mean it's even cheaper.

Pancakeflipper · 15/05/2018 21:06

Ours are boys and not siblings. They adore each other. Some guinea pig rescue centres do bonding sessions.

FrancisCrawford · 15/05/2018 22:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pinga · 16/05/2018 00:23

Boars are definitely more whiffy than sows. And they can have fecal impaction. Not my idea of fun!

freezerfoodyum · 16/05/2018 00:33

I've had boars for a decade and they've never fought Confused

dayinlifeof · 16/05/2018 00:40

We have always had boars, they don't fight and don't smell. We've had eight so far without problems.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 16/05/2018 00:41

Tell dd2 it’s tough titty. Not all decisions have anything to do with her.

KC225 · 16/05/2018 02:20

Hi just to say, I have 10 year olds twins and 3 cats. We took on two boars last year about 8 months old from teenager grown bored of them. Not sure if they are siblings as DH picked them up and didn't ask any questions. There are occasional 'fisticuffs' rumblings etc. But nothing that has drawn blood. Cats don't seem that bothered by them but we are careful. We also clean regularly and ours don't smell. Also, ours came with running lice (doesn't affect humans or other pets) so we have had to bathe with specialist shampoo from Gorgeous Guineas. There are some good guinea pig advice groups on Facebook.

They are charming little boys, still a little skittish but the kids cuddle them every day before and after school. The boys sit happily on their laps. And the chattering noises are very sweet. Ours don't bite but they will nibble at your clothing when they want to go to the toilet. We are happy with our rescue piglets, they have been a delightful surprise.

Good luck

Mari50 · 16/05/2018 06:39

I feel very cheated by my pigs now, I accepted the reasoning that it was because they were boars that they were so antisocial but now it seems I just got miserable pigs.

claraschu · 16/05/2018 06:53

I had a guinea pig when I was a child, who used to follow me anywhere- she just trotted at my heels. She also followed one of my cats, (who treated her a bit like a kind of disabled kitten). Our recent guinea pigs were less exciting, but never fought or stank.

KC225 · 16/05/2018 07:37

Mari - have you tried feeding them
something they like whilst patting them. We got through swathes of parsley, and would pat the boys, not on the head but just at the back of the head to get them used to us. May worth trying again.

Mari50 · 16/05/2018 07:38

And re the £50- I accept that I’m lazy and buying from pets at home might not be the cheapest but yeah, £12 on bedding, £12 on the paper pellets to help absorb the smell(!!), 4x£6 for hay (I have nowhere to store a bale and my pigs seem to be a bit fussy about their hay) and oops I’m at almost £50 and I haven’t given them any fresh stuff or nuggets yet.......
And I can just imagine what my boys would do if I gave them the opportunity to walk about behind me...... run Forrest run

0h · 16/05/2018 07:53

My boys don't fight. The do bicker (make grumpy noises at each other occasionally) but they've never gone for each other.

We've had them 4 months now and they're just the best. Very affectionate when I pick them up. They've even stolen the heart of my very grumpy DH!

From what you've said I'd definitely get them for your youngest! If you need more convincing here's a pic of one of mine having a cuddle (I've previously posted this on MN but it's just so cute! Look at his little feet!).

To get guinea pigs even if dd2 doesn't want them?
Raven88 · 16/05/2018 07:55

You could try to find two to adopt?

Raven88 · 16/05/2018 07:57

Pressed send too fast. I would get them, DD doesn't have to have anything to do with them.

SilverDragonfly1 · 16/05/2018 08:53

Oh what a baby! I had one with that type of coat years ago. Gorgeous.

OP, it sounds like you are an ideal guinea pig owner. Loads of research, keeping them indoors, huge cage... if everyone put that sort of effort in we wouldn't need rescue centres. Do post pics when they arrive!

Another one who's only ever had boars, more than 20 by now, and had no issues with smell or sociability :)

Mari50 · 16/05/2018 11:34

You could try to find two to adopt?
Aw man, have mine........

Mari50 · 16/05/2018 11:37

He’s gorgeous! I mean he’s miserable as anything but cute to look at.

To get guinea pigs even if dd2 doesn't want them?
FrancisCrawford · 16/05/2018 12:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ToadOfSadness · 16/05/2018 12:54

GPs are hard work, they tend to stink the house out if kept inside (ie in winter) and are not necessarily friendly.

A bit like teenagers then.