GUINEA PIGS - thinking about getting one - advice please......

[looneytune]

Hi

We are thinking about getting a Guinea Pig and could do with some advice please.

Where do you recommend getting them from?
How often do they need cleaning?
What would we need to buy?
Anything else we need to think about?

Thanks

they live for ages
andages,ny friend bought two for her dd bloody ages ago ,her dd lost interest (she's 16 now so hardly surprising)
They've been going for about 5-6 yrsnow ,no signs of kicking it yet.
Be sure you'reready for the committment.

always get a pair. they are socialable creatures.

guinea pigs are ace, but as already said, get two together. there are loads of good websites - try googling them! also, think about rehoming a pair from your local pet home. well worth it especially as they don't tend to develop behavior problems!

Thanks for the advice. Ggirl, I know they last for 5+ years, this isn't a problem. I am a childminder and I think having Guinea Pigs for the older mindees and my ds would be great. We (dh and I) know we'll be the ones looking after them and that's fine

Will get 2 together.

What do we need to buy then?

TIA

We got our one from a rescue centre. They always have lots of gp's needing a good home.
They are sociable creatures and need to be in pairs.
I clean mine out about 2/3 times a week. Feed them twice a day with dry and fresh food.
I make sure we handle them every day and that they get a run when the weather is good. Sometimes they are in the garden for hours.
I love my gps, they are so sweet.

my friends have them running round there garden all day.rspca was called by nosey neighbour saying they werent being looked after as they were running free(all completly safe and happy)and said they must go in hutch,1 died next day
now they are back to running free again perfectly safe and happy.we had rabbits not guinea pigs,apparently they go well with rabbits though!

i need to get a larger run for mine, i would just let them run round the garden for a bit but with 3 kids and a hole or two in the fence probably not wise lol.