Babies and pets - hygiene

[Fioletovii]

Hi all.

I'm expecting my first baby in June.
We have two indoor guinea pigs (our garden is a favourite hangout for foxes and cats so we can't keep them outside). They currently live in a large, open top cage in our living room. We only have a small flat, so I'll probably be spending most of the time with the baby in the living room. Do you think this is a problem in terms of hygiene? We keep them clean, sweeping them out and changing their hay morning and evening, and doing a thorough clean once a week. But is it dangerous for a baby to be hanging out in a room with guinea pigs in, seeing as the piggies go to the toilet in their cage so they could be inhaling feces particles in the air etc?

No problem at all. Kids who grow up with pets normally end up with stronger immune systems.

I have two big dogs and was paranoid before baby arrived and while he was a newborn.. he’s now 9 months and they lick his hands at any opportunity. I have no choice but to intervene when they try to lick his face 🙈 He thinks it’s hilarious though! I think the benefits of growing up with a pet way outweigh any hygiene issues! Gives them a good immune system 😂

My other concern is that they often smell. It's not because I don't keep them clean, I do, but when I clean them out and replace all the bedding, that's when they smell the worst as they like to mark their territory and the smell of their pee on the laundered fleeces and fresh hay is particularly strong. So I'm also a bit concerned what the health visitor might think if when she comes they're a bit smelly, even if I know they're clean...

Do you think it's ok for a newborn, too? With their fragile immune systems and all that

Cause at least dogs don't go to the toilet in the same room as the baby and leave their mess sitting there for a few hours at a time, unlike small pets and rodents.. That's my main concern, really.

Your baby will be fine. Children who grow up with pets have a better immune system. You sound lovely op. Enjoy your baby.

It'll be fine. Part of my son's staple diet is cat hair and litter dust

Top tip: don't put your newborn to sleep in the guinea pig cage😊
Poo particles are a made up mumsnet thing so don't worry about that.

Once baby is crawling you'll probably want to get a play pen though (or put the pigs in a more secure cage) to prevent your babyfrom tormenting the poor creatures or eating their actual poo.

So long as you aren't leaving the baby in the cage with the actual dirt i think you are stressing about nothing. (I know you won't, but just pointing out the obvious).

You'll be fine, just set boundaries with baby starts moving.

Thanks, everyone. Okay, the piggies stay :) The cage is raised quite high up on a special table so no chance of the baby crawling in there.

My baby always had cat fur around her bless her, I grew up having cat fur all over me!

I'm expecting in June also, my first! Congrats OP ❤️

My partner keeps expressing the same concern about our two cats, who are both immaculately clean in my opinion.

But he thinks they will be walking outside germs everywhere after they've walked on cat shit, but I grew up with cats and have a really robust immune system. I'm sure your guineas will be no problem!

I’ve just read on news that there is some infection given to babys/kids when dogs like there faces.. it’s disgusting they lick their own arses 🤮🤢

I've 6 cats - 5 of those before ds came along. Ds is rarely ill. And when he has been (HFM, Chicken pox), pretty sure that wasn't because of the cats 😂

I was never thinking of pets at my home but my son want to owe PIG! do you imagine?
and to convince me he forwards me an article about the fun facts of the pigs!
Either I will get him a pig or not I really smiled from that facts and I think you may like it .. Enjoy:)
www.twinkl.ae/blog/fun-facts-about-pigs

But As I added to you info please advice me whether it's a good idea to owe a pig or not?

So how old is the baby now and how are the Guinea pigs getting on?

Inhaling poo particles in the air from faeces sitting in a cage cleaned daily. A fragile immune system being affected by wee on a fleece inside a cage they can’t reach.

I’d like a description on how any of this is physically possible in order to even worry about it!

Your baby will be fine with the guinea pigs - no risk at all really as the guinea pigs don't go outside or mix with other animals. I'd be more worried for the guinea pigs once the baby starts crawling and cruising. But if you show the baby how to be gentle with them from early on they should learn.