First Guinea Pig pet for 11-13 year olds. Recommend or no? Honesty appreciated!

[Rustygriswold]

1. Are they cuddly for kids (older kids age 11 and 13)
2. Can you keep them outdoors in winter
3. Do they have fleas
4. Are they noisy at night time
5. Buy as babies, or adopt from animal shelter
6. How much does their hay cost and where’s best to buy hay from
7. How much to buy a pair
8. Are certain breeds better for cuddles than others
9. Are they safe to let loose in the garden for exercise
10. Do they poop everywhere like hamster do if let loose in house

My kids had a dwarf hamster which only lived for about two years. We didn’t know they were crepuscular/nocturnal almost, so of course it started being active just as the kids went to bed. Blardy racket with its spinning wheel and so on. Never again It didn’t like being cuddled or handled at all either.

But the kids are getting pet broody, they keep asking for a cuddly pet.
So I’ve researched all sorts, chameleons, rats, rabbits, ferrets, nothing is standing out except guinea pigs. Don’t want anything exotic, non-tactile or requiring equipment like heaters and so on.

Cleaning, poop scooping, diet all the rest of it that’s fine, we have fish and it’s far more stinky cleaning them out, so all I really want to know is:

If from animal shelter, couldn’t we possibly inherit any health or behavioural issues that caused them to be dropped at the centre initially??

Also, there will be nobody home daytimes whilst everyone’s at school and work. Does that matter to them? Next door’s dog whines like a good un’ all day when they’re both out, I don’t want to put guinea pigs through that sort of daily trauma.

We had 2, they are super cute and while tempted I don't think I would get any more now they have both sadly passed away. They are the most gorgeous, gentle little souls and make adorable squeaky noises and 'popcorn' when they are excited.

I did worry about them a lot, like a caged animals there is a lot of upkeep/ cleaning and we ended up sending them on holiday to my mum's garage for the winter as I felt bad about them being outside. I read somewhere that if you feel the cold then so will they, then spent the rest of the time trying to figure out the best place for them in different temperatures!

My daughter (8 at the time) loved them but all the feeding / cleaning etc fell to us.

Adorable animals and I miss their cute little faces but I wouldn't be tempted again.

I have 2 guinea pigs and they're very easy to look after. I'll try and answer your questions!
*1) Are they cuddly for kids (older kids age 11 and 13)
Yes they can be cuddled. Some are more fussy than others but if you start bonding and handling daily they'll get used to it.

2. Can you keep them outdoors in winter
   Not an expert on this but you can get insulated things for hutches to keep them warm.

3. Do they have fleas
   No but can get ringworm, sometimes mites.

4. Are they noisy at night time
   Can vary. Mine are in the living room so don't hear them. They don't tend to squeak (called wheeking) unless they hear food coming or talking to each other. Might hear them running around. Depends what bedding you use. Some people use fleece blankets. I use correx plastic and wood shavings

5. Buy as babies, or adopt from animal shelter
   I bought from pets at home when they're about 3 months old. Up to you though.

6. How much does their hay cost and where’s best to buy hay from
   Hay is only a few quid for a big bundle. Stock up because they eat alot of it (80% of their diet)

7. How much to buy a pair
   Mine were £25 each

8. Are certain breeds better for cuddles than others
   Not sure there's much difference

9. Are they safe to let loose in the garden for exercise
   Be best to get a large outdoor run for them

10. Do they poop everywhere like hamster do if let loose in house*
    I would think they'd poo every where (I don't let mine loose around the house) but poo is easy to clean up as it's dry and pellet like

There's a great page on Facebook called guinea pigs UK for advice and sharing I'm a part of.

Good luck!

As a family we've had all sorts of pets over the years and to be honest the easiest, most independent and cuddliest have been cats!

@Mablefly Husband says def no. We need to be in agreement on the pet issue. Had cats and dogs already though.

Thanks @WhosThatGirl89 really helpful !

I think they are the best pet for that sort of age group! Even if they aren't cuddly individuals they will do anything for a veggie treat and are funny to watch. They generally come round once they realise treats are about but you need to be careful with their diet, mostly hay but they do need nuggets (much better than a mix) and the right amount of the right veg and fruit.

Just a couple of thoughts- have a plan for how you will get their nails trimmed, it's easy enough to do yourself if you're confident but if you aren't, do you know someone that would nip round and do them, would you be prepared to take them somewhere to be done (I don't know where as I did mine myself). They need doing surprisingly often especially in winter if they aren't going out in a run and wearing them down a little naturally, not that you can rely on that either. I wouldn't let them free range in the garden, they are quite dim and would get themselves into bother but a nice mobile run is ideal. I've never kept them outdoors in winter.
The other thing is, have you got some here they could go if you go away for a holiday- if you get the from a shelter some do boarding as an income stream. They might do nail clipping actually as well.

Oh and they do poo everywhere but luckily they are very inoffensive little dry torpedoes that just sit where they land!

Also, do try and make sure you get two and be sure of the gender. Sows get pregnant from very young and can get pregnant immediately after giving birth. Boys can be neutured but if you get more than 2 don't get more than one boy with a girl because they will fight over her.

Hello

1 they can be cuddly if handled regularly and gently but tend not to be naturally cuddly

2 its not advisable to keep them outdoors over winter, a shed or unused garage is better, or indoors. you can get hutch covers though and with plenty of hay, and snugglepads for colder weather it is possible

3 they can get mites but easily treated with ivermectin either from the vet or online

4 they aren't particularly noisy but I would say too noisy for a bedroom, their water bottles are probably the noisiest unless you have a very squeaky pig

5 adopt is better, you get more advice and support and will be better matched and you know you are getting healthy piggies. some petshop or backyard breeders sell unhealthy pigs

6 hay is fairly cheap but depends what you get, eg the little bags from pet shops works out expensive but if you have the space for a small bale then that is extremely cost effective. some independent pet shops rebag bales and sell which works out pretty good.

7 a pair is probably £30-50 although i haven't bought a piggie for a while

8 breed not really important

9 they should never be let outside unsupervised if not contained in a secure pen with lid. they are prey animals and will easily be injured or killed by cats, dogs, birds of prey, etc. you can get runs to let them outside.

10 they will poo everywhere if let loose indoors and probably will only hide under anything they can access as they are fairly timid unless very well handled.

They won't mind being home alone all day but definitely far prefer to live in a pair or group.

Guinea pigs can make good pets for children, but they aren't usually very cuddly and require a lot of time and patience to become friendly and personable. mine will interact with me and take food from my hand but don't like being picked up and aren't keen on cuddles or strokes etc. they are most enjoyable if kept indoors where you can see them regularly through the day, they are much more likely to become friendly when kept indoors and it is easier to care for them and notice illness.

is a cat not suitable? our cat is far more child friendly than our guinea pigs. He loves to play, loves a cuddle and also takes up less time than the guinea pigs in terms of looking after.

@boydy99 Hi! I know, a kitten seems most suitable, but husband against it, and I have asthma, pretty sure cats will bring it out.

@Rustygriswold sounds like piggies may be your best option then! they are great pets. could you keep them indoors? we use C&C style pens indoors with plastic correx type sheeting (2mm from Wickes) and its quite adaptable to fit what space you have. if you look up the guinea pig forum, they have advice on minimum cage size.

Would you consider rats instead OP?

Some amazing advice, we've had about 15 piggies at one point we had 11 out in stables all tearing around. How we are down to just the one.

They are such great chatty creatures, they make cute noise when they think there is food around, they can be handled but as others have said if you want to handle maybe better to get baby's.

I've never been bitten by a guinea pig in all of my years having them, a rabbit yes, but not a pig.. they also make this chattering noise which is very sweet.

So I've had them indoors and outside and I'd second the run, you can pick up large ones on eBay and poo a small hutch or shelter inside with hay and they can spend the warmer months moving a round the lawn.

Their bottom fluff can Matt up quickly so there is some grooming, clipping nails and combing or trimming fur, but most of mine have been perfect for letting me do this.

They are cute and ours were happy to sit on a lap for a cuddle - or they like going in a little fleece cuddle sack. They can be tricky to catch as they hide undercover. Totally fine to leave them all day. We kept ours indoors in winter but wouldn't let them run free - they just end up stuck behind the sofa! The cage takes up quite a bit of space and smells quite strongly which I disliked. Ours were from rescue who would do nails etc and boarding. They can live for many years and the DC soon lose interest! Dh did almost all the feeding and cleaning out after a while.

We bought hay from the pet shop, around £3 for a big bag. They are not expensive to feed.

Best pets ever.

Much more work than you think but you get into a routine and it's not hard. But if you go into it thinking they are low maintenance you'll be in for a surprise. They need a clean out daily and a full clean out about once a week.

My DS was 10 when we got our boy piggies and I've been strict about him doing his part. I hear so many stories about parents ending up doing the bulk of the care but it doesn’t need end up that way. He is brilliant with them even after 3 years.

Be aware they like a routine so if you feed them their veggies at 7am because that works well for you on school days someone is going to have to get up at that time weekends and holidays! You could just feed them whenever but that’s not fair on those poor wee starving beasts.

Ours are in the living room. Its far too cold, where I am, to keep them outside. The cold can kill them. They don’t even cope well being in a draught! Soft wee things. They need fussed and pampered and told how pretty they are.

But they are adorable and have their own personalities and steal your heart. They will love you the most if you feed them. Affections easily bought.

Making the cage different every time we do a big clean is fun. The pigs LOVE exploring within their safe environment (outside their cage they'll probably just hide under a table) and their wee chattering happy noise as they look around is the best ever. Wheeking for food is too cute and you'll need to open all crisps in a different room or you'll set them off. 😆

They can be cuddly but not all are. One of mine is super cuddly as in he'll snuggle up by your face and gaze adoringly at you but he doesn’t like being petted. The other one loves a pet and will elongate til he's like a sausage dog and just relax and fall asleep. Will object if you stop.

Must stop typing. This will be embarrassingly long after I press post, I bet. So obsessed with my pigs

Look at this website, they are excellent

Quickly... guinea pigs are the most brilliant pets. Low maintenance, sweet, not smelly. Absolutely ideal. They need a huge cage and lots of space to run around. My DC loved ours. I did all the cleaning etc, but I was happy to do that, as I was the one who thought we should have them. I grew up with every animal under the sun, and guinea pigs are by far the easiest. They are fab.

@fruitpastille

We bought hay from the pet shop, around £3 for a big bag. They are not expensive to feed.

Agree that they are not expensive at all. They eat all the bits of fruit and veg that would otherwise be binned (the ends of lettuces etc). Yellow-stickered cucumbers etc are ideal. Ours loved dandelions, which grew like mad in our field. I used to buy a bale of hay from a local farmer for £5. It would last for months and months.

P.S. Hay is a bugger to have in the car.

This is all really helpful everyone Thankyou !

I’ve already done some reading up on several web pages (including PETA which was really negative about keeping any pet) to get both sides of the thought I’d pan for some real life views on here too.

@LeviAckerman you’re really selling it to me ! You sound smitten !

My concern at that age is that your children would outgrow them - for that reason it may be best to get a couple of bonded rescues.

GPS can also cause problems for people with asthma as can the hay which they to have access to at all times as its a vital part of their diet. They are known as exotic pets and hide illness well. If you have a pair and one dies they are prone to dying of loneliness as they are herd animals. You will need to find a vet that specialises in guinea pigs. They can live outside in winter as long as they have started out that way in the summer. Some people keep them indoors in winter, outdoors in summer. You can't move them out in the winter if they haven't been out in the summer as they won't have built up a winter coat. They are more complex than people realise and need a lot of attention. They have to have their nails trimmed regularly either by you or a vet. There are only certain vegetable that they can eat, eg they can't eat regular lettuce but they can eat romaine. Also not too many carrots as they are high in sugar. You would have to check one of the vegetable lists on maybe one of the many guinea forums. They can't tolerate seeds so no tomatoes and not much apple as can give them mouth ulcers....Not trying to put you off but just giving a few realistic examples of the sort of things you'll need to consider. Having said that I've kept them for years and they are brilliant animals but many of mine have come from homes where the children have become bored and the parents didn't want to then carry on looking after them.