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Original poster

Rabbit, gerbil or guinea pig?

47 replies

peckarollover · 17/10/2005 18:11

DD is turning 6 and has been asking for a pet for the last 4 years! Also have a DS 2 who LOVES animals and I am a childminder and Im thinking a little pet would be good for the kids too.

Can anyone recommend either a rabbit, gerbil or guinea pig over the others? Merits/drawbacks of each?

Thanks

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spidermama · 17/10/2005 18:13

If you're getting a rabbit get two. Lone rabbits get very depressed. I think the same can be said fo g. pigs but I don't know about gerbils.

pinkmama · 17/10/2005 18:14

I would really rate a guinea pig. We got one for our 2 last October. They are big enough to cope with a bit of rough handling from ds (3) and can be cuddled unlike smaller pets. I love rabbits to pieces but they more expensive to look after, and we had one for 4 days before it legged it over the garden wall.

GPs really easy to care for, cheap to look after and rather entertaining. I would get a pair of them though. Good luck with your choice.

Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 18:17

heart was set on rabbit but having second thoughts now

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pinkmama · 17/10/2005 18:20

rabbits are gorgeous, I am a big fan, but think it depends on age of kids. I ahve seen stuff saying they not suitable for young kids. Guinea pigs do tend to sit still on the kids laps. My sister has 4 house rabbits and when we go there the kids chase them round and round but they really dont like being cuddled by them. I dont know anyone with rabbits and young children though. Others may have better experiences.

We were going to replace our rabbit, but decided on a puppy- sure there is some logic there somewhere!

tortoiseshell · 17/10/2005 18:20

Guinea Pigs are lovely pets. Gerbils can be a bit vicious for children. Rabbits are gorgeous, and can be really soppy with kids, especially if you get a bigger one. If you're thinking about a rabbit, look at this website which allows you to know the rabbit's character before commiting yourself, but also doesn't perpetuate the mass production of pet rabbits for pet shops (which is a real problem, especially at Easter time!).

monstersmummy · 17/10/2005 18:26

we have a house rabbit. some like cuddles, some not.....you can train them to mess in their certain area but they do need a lot of looking after that no one tells you about. BUT i have only ever had a rabbit not any of the others so could be the same with that.

Ulitinatly it needs to be something that u will want to look after as inevitably its you that will be the primary carer.

If i had to chose i would geta rabbit again...mine thinks he is a puppy and follows me round!

macwoozy · 17/10/2005 18:29

Gerbils are too hyper to be handled really, they're so quick, god help if you lose one, mine was out for days when it escaped. Definitely get a cute guinea pig.

Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 18:32

have just been told guinnea pigs really stink? Also are they indoor animals?

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pinkmama · 17/10/2005 18:33

our guineas live outside, not noticed the smell being that bad.

monstersmummy · 17/10/2005 18:37

never heard of guineas inside?

Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 18:42

ah thats good as I think I would rather it be outside

Would outside most of the year and in our garage when its extra cold be ok for both rabbits and guinea pigs?

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pinkmama · 17/10/2005 18:46

I think that sounds fine peckarollover. Ours live ouytside all year, but we are on south coast and our garden is very sheltered. We just move their hutch to really sheltered spot over winter where the wind cant get into it too much. Garage would be more than adequate I would think.

Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 18:47

Im in Newcastle so its chilly up here!

She has no idea she is getting one, she will be thrilled

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pinkmama · 17/10/2005 18:51

not sure if you sorted with hutch, PR, but when we got ours I was going to buy a new one then we ended up getting a really good one out of the friday ad, they always seem to have loads going around here, and it only cost us £10.

tamum · 17/10/2005 18:54

Our guniea pigs live inside and go out in a run in the garden for couple-of-hour stretches. We have foxes in the back garden so safer that way. I think if they're out all winter you just have to watch that they have plenty of hay. I certainly wouldn't keep them indoors in a really warm room, but ours are fine. They are very cuddly and rewarding as pets for children, much better than gerbis and hamsters IMHO. They don't smell at all IME.

oops · 17/10/2005 19:24

Message withdrawn

Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 19:54

OOOHHHHH Im so undecided, Guinea pig or rabbit guinea pig or rabbit

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Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 20:27

guinea pig is winning i think

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Witchycat · 17/10/2005 20:34

I would go for a g. pig any day. Hardier than rabbits. Live outdoors so no smelly cage inside. Easier to handle (IMO) than a wriggly little hamster.

We had hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs & gerbils when I was growing up. The guinea pigs always 'lasted longer'.

JanH · 17/10/2005 20:38

Guinea pigs are adorable, becca. They chatter and squeak to you and the more time you give them the more rewarding they are.

We looked after the nursery school ones one summer (they were shared out, 1 week each, big privilege!) and we did keep them indoors - I think if you have a room with hard flooring and muck them out very regularly they wouldn't smell at all, and it makes it much easier to spend time with them (esp in the winter). I like tamum's idea of living indoors but having a daytime run outdoors.

Tiggiwinkle · 17/10/2005 20:43

Definitely guinea pig! Rabbits can scratch and kick, and even the "dwarf" varieties can hurt! Hamsters tend to give a nasty bite-even if they are tame- at times. (ours have drawn blood before now!)
Guinea pigs never bite, are friendly, make that lovely noise and are sweet to look at as well! Keep them indoors-there are plenty of indoor cages available now-and you will see more of them.

Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 20:49

ooooooooooooooo I think I have decided on guinea pigs

Is it true that its best to get them in pairs?

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Tiggiwinkle · 17/10/2005 20:54

Yes, they love company-although if you keep it indoors, and give it plenty of attention one would be OK.
If you do get two, make sure they are from the same litter (and the same sex, obviously!)
We made the mistake once of getting two of the same age but different litters and one "bullied" the other. We ended up having to seperate them and give them a cage each!

Original poster
peckarollover · 17/10/2005 20:56

How would I make sure they are from the same litter? Are they normally sold altogether?

Cant decide on indoors or out now

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JanH · 17/10/2005 21:00

We started out with just one and magically found 2 more in the hutch one morning...I can still see DS1 (aged about 6) opening the door, staring, closing it, opening it again, staring again and then coming back in to tell me "Rover" had had babies. (Early sexual maturity and long gestation period. It happened to us again later too )