Anyone want to indulge me? I am bursting to tell about our NEW guinea pigs!

[bibbitybobbityhat]

G'wan, you're dying to know, aren't you?

Ask me a question about them

Mine are in the garden in the sun but still spend most of their time hiding in their cabin. The girl piggie has started nipping me . Still love them though and have been known to come home with veg for them and none for us.

Guinea pigs can't go in balls, it would damage their spines. You could get a collapsible run for them, as they do need to run around. They also need a large cage and shouldn't be kept alone.

My parents kindly look after mine when we go away.

I aren't sure I would say guineas are the easiest pet, and definitely not the cheapest. We have had hamsters, gerbils and mice in the past all of which were much cheaper to look after and easy to manage. Guineas need plenty of space, fresh vegetables every day , and constant access to hay and dried pellets to eat. They do make really lovely pets though and are worth the effort.

I've grown up as a hamster person (that sounds weird) and right now have two roborovski hamsters (teeny tiny little things). However am expecting first born and don't think I'll be able to have hamsters again for a long time (they are good pets for kids, but I'd say best after age 11/12 or so, especially with these little Robos that I have).

So I was thinking about guinea pigs for the years ahead - I've always found their squeaking quite appealing. But I'm one of those odd people who've never had them.

Where do you keep their hutch? In our current house I don't think they could go where the hamsters are (basically in our lounge/dining room, next to dining table) and there isn't space anywhere else. We do have a garage with a utility room (and windows and light) that backs on to garden - would something like that ever be appropriate with enough time in a run? Or do some people keep them outside generally (even in winter?). Alternatively we also have some sheds in the garden (old owners a big fan out outside storage, clearly) but I don't know if they'd be better/worse than a garage. I'd be worried about what would happen in a winter like the last one.

And do keep posting about them, I love hearing about pets

apparently they are delicious too...