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Pets

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Original poster

Rabbits of guinea pigs?

31 replies

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 19/08/2009 09:19

DH wants 2 rabbits, I want guinea pigs.

Having talked to someone on holiday he has gone off rabbits (they said they can bite and are no good for kids) but still doesn't want a guinea pig. Says they look like big hamsters.

I really want a new pet but are stuck.

We will be away for 2 nights, can they be left? |If not, we won't get them until after we get back.

OP posts:

MamazontheDailyMailtakingadump · 19/08/2009 09:22

ooh Gp's are fab. they make the most fascinating noises when they get excited.
get one of each. that way no risk of babies annd they keep each other company

weegiemum · 19/08/2009 09:24

Guninea Pigs

They are fab!

I wouldn't leave them alone when they are so new to you, but we do now occasionally go away overnight or for 2, load them up with 2 water bottles, plenty food eat, clean just before we go and as soon as we get back.

They are so chatty! I love them.

Meglet · 19/08/2009 09:26

I've had both. G-pigs are much easier and cuter. Rabbits are wonderful but very hard work, more like a mix between a cat and a dog. Rabbits need jabs and their teeth can cause problems. Piggies generally get on with eating and dozing, they will also keep your grass shorter while a rabbit will eat all the flowers [hmmm].

herbietea · 19/08/2009 09:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

weegiemum · 19/08/2009 09:30

Herbie! 32??

Original poster

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 19/08/2009 10:28

Oh heck

I so want to go and get them now

Someone lock me in.

OP posts:

SausageRocket · 19/08/2009 10:33

Pigs

Rabbits are not great pets for kids, they kick and bite and scrabble away. Guineas are much more placid and sweet natured. Get 2 females

BigGobMum · 19/08/2009 10:33

Piggies - without a doubt!

Meglet · 19/08/2009 10:34

If, or it sounds like when you get some piggies then the Peter Gurney g-pig books are fab and Cambridge Cavy Trust is the place to go for medical care, but I think they also train other vets around the country. Some vets a very dismissive of treating g-pigs and think they are disposable. Our local vets have a small animal care certificate thingy and they put 100% into looking after mine when they are poorly.

See if your local RSPCA have some piggies. They will be able to tell you the sex (unlike a lot of pet shops) and possibly have neutuered males so you can have a boy / girl pair.

stealthsquiggle · 19/08/2009 10:37

Rabbits are lousy pets for children IMHO - they kick and bite. Guinea pigs or something smaller (I used to have Russian Hamsters) would be much better.

SausageRocket · 19/08/2009 10:37

2 boys in together will fight once they reach sexual maturity. 2 females will get on well and keep each other company (they get lonely and bored if kept singly unless you have lots of time to give them).

If you do get a male and femal then you can get them neutered. It is expensive though. My local vet wanted £65 to 'do' a male pig (boar) ! Apparently the price is so high because they are a huge anaesthetic risk (like any small animal) and so the odds of them not making it through the op are fairly high. Hence the vet prices high to try to put people off having it done.

BigGobMum · 19/08/2009 10:37

Our vets are brilliant with piggies. One of ours had a hysterectomy and she went on to live another 2 years. (I think we would have lost her otherwise).

Original poster

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 19/08/2009 10:39

I never thought of the RSPCA. There is a local centre but I don't know if they do piggies, will call them.

OP posts:

BigGobMum · 19/08/2009 10:39

Sausage we have only had girl pigs but apparently two boys wont fight if they are from the same litter.

GodzillasBumcheek · 19/08/2009 10:46

Guinea pigs seem tamer, but our rabbit is almost dog-like in it's friendliness and playfulness! I'd have a hard time choosing too.

Original poster

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 19/08/2009 15:19

I think I have run out of time to get the piggies today.

Friday.....

OP posts:

Merle · 19/08/2009 22:59

We've had rabbits as pets and I don't think it was that sucessful. I think that they need lots of space to run around, so we always had them loose in the garden - this resulted in a few mishaps/escapes which meant that they did not last long.... I've come to the conclusion that keeping rabbits in cages is cruel so I wouldn't get one again, even though they are so beautiful.

Guinea pigs are much more suited to domestic life. They only waddle around and so don't seem to be deprived by being kept in a cage and run. We have 3 now and I no longer feel guilty/

Tinfoil · 20/08/2009 00:37

Yes, guinea pigs

Missy8c · 20/08/2009 01:17

Both are cool but whichever you choose, please get from a rescue centre not a pet shop. There are so many little critters out there needing loving homes and too many pet shops making money out of keeping animals in cramped and unnatural surroundings and often dispensing with them if they aren't profitable. If you need help finding a local rescue let me know. There...I'm off my soap box now!

Original poster

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 20/08/2009 19:41

Missy8c I would love some help as I know there is a rescue centre near by, I have driven past it but I can't remember the proper name. It is near Lunsford Park.

OP posts:

Missy8c · 21/08/2009 11:19

Lunsford Park is Kent yeah? I think you might mean the RSPCA centre then which is near Chatham!? Check out this link:

www.rescuedb.com/Rescues/View-Rescue.php?r_id=33&ct_id=20

They have some cute rinny rigs (our pet name for them...sad but true)

Awwww....I want some now too

themachinist · 21/08/2009 16:32

I have 2 of each. All lovely.

My rabbits are much tamer and cuddlier than the pigs (but need more input; probably as they are brighter) and have had them all since babies (rescues).

Would have a rescue centre myself if i had the space and time. PLease dont buy from a pet shop.

Lovely animals.

Original poster

FabBakerGirlIsBack · 21/08/2009 16:39

Missy8c - I checked out your link but they have no animals and it wasn't the place I had in mind. I think I will just to see them as they are not that far away.

Thanks.

OP posts:

Missy8c · 21/08/2009 20:34

FabBakerGirlIsBack,

Here are a few other Kent based rescues in case you don't get any joy from the one you mentioned. Do let us know how you get on.

www.gbhrescue.co.uk/