thinking about getting a guinea pig. advice please?

[pillsthrillsandbellyaches]

hi, i'm thinking of getting a guinea pig for my 6 year old son.
i dont know anything about them and would appreciate any advice on whether this is a good idea and on the care they need.
for instance, can they stay outdoors in all weathers?

Hi, do you neighbours have a dog? My old neighbours got some guinea pigs and my dog (a Jack Russell) made my life a misery. The dog could see them through the fence and was just beside herself, not the guinea pigs fault I know. Apart from that I think they're lovely, good luck with them and I hope somebody knowledgeable comes along soon.

thanks darcymum.

our neighbours dont have dogs, but there are quite a few cats about.

we have a cat too, although Honey is pretty old and the most laidback and placid cat you ever met in your life.

however there are a couple of cats nearby that i know will kill birds if they get a chance. our back garden is enclosed so dogs couldnt get in or see, but the cats can get through the hedge.

they are lovely but like other animals, only get one if it's something you would like, as the kids are bound to get bored after about a week. we bring ours in during the winter and keep them in an indoor cage but in summer they have free range of the garden and have chased all the local cats away . they are tough mf*

I love guinea-pigs and I think that they make great pets, especially for children.

I think, though, that if you decide to keep yours outside, it is absolutely vital that you get at least two, otherwise the lone gp will be quite literally that - very lonely. They are social animals and best kept in pairs or small groups. Ours is not but he lives in our kitchen, with people constantly passing through and saying "hi, how's it going?" or words to that effect and i still worry sometimes that it was a mistake getting only one.

A sole guinea pig will need to have his or her cage cleaned twice a week, with daily changes of food, water and portions of hay and vegetables. They are very easy-going animals and if handled frequently (at least one cuddle a day) will become very tame, though slightly less so if kept outside.

I would avoid getting a long-haired (Peruvian or Sheltie) as a first time owner - they can look absolutely gorgeous but require a lot of grooming and are probably not suitable for you.

Good luck and enjoy - the small gp's are very cute - though they don't stay tiny for very long!

I have just lost my two guinea pigs to old age.

My advice would be:

Don't just get one guinea pig - they are social animals and it would be best to get either two or three of the same sex. Keeping two piggies is no more work than keeping one.

Keep indoors in a cage if possible. It's unpleasant for them to live outdoors in the winter especially. They're also more part of the family if they live indoors.

Ensure that they're kept dry and out of drafts - damp is bad for them.

Always buy a premium quality guinea pig food.

Always keep a good supply of fresh water for them.

Handle carefully - sudden drops can kill them.

They need modest exercise and fresh air - on a lawn if possible.

Don't bed them down on straw - use hay instead, but always keep them clean as hay can develop mould spores.

They are prone to teeth overgrowth and urinary tract infections. Prevent these occuring by providing lots of nibble sticks/snacks and giving dandelion leaves each week along with loads of fresh water.

Be prepared to clean them out about twice a week.

Don't place them onto sawdust. Place a layer of sawshavings onto their cage, then cover with newspaper, then cover that with a good layer of hay. Sawshavings are too irritant to their respiratory passages.

They like: apple, carrot, spring greens, broccoli, sprouts, grass and grapes. Don't give too much fruit as the sugar can lead to diabetes.

Make sure you have them sexed properly in the store.

Guinea pigs are friendly, gentle souls and make fantastic pets.

To Atomic

I have never used newspaper because gp's will chew any kind of paper or cardboard and because I am concerned that the ink on newspapers could be toxic for them. Are you not worried about that? It would certainly be convenient to use newspapers if I can be reassured that they are not harmful to small rodents. Would be grateful for your views.

Yikes! I use newspaper in my piggies run and to line their hutch. I put it in the run over their tunnels and they love scooting around underneath it, scrunching it all up and generally being naughty. They do chew it a bit as well. Yesterday when I went to put them back in their hutch one is a really pale colour and she looked very dirty, (from the newspaper ink). Are we not supposed to use newspaper for them?

Newspaper is okay if you cover it well with a good layer of hay. If they start to habitually chew it then it might not be such a good idea. Neither of mine ever chewed theirs.

ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/0136.html

Apparently, newspaper ink is non toxic and shouldn't cause any problems. I suppose if a large enough amount is consumed it could cause an intestinal blockage, but that would be extreme. If your piggies start eating it then go back to the drawing board. Piggies should be chomping on their hay not paper.

Definitley get two though, they are sociable animals and like to cuddle up.

thanks guys, i really appreciate all the info.
i'll get a book out the library too.

a neighbour a few doors away has one in his front garden! and the kids love to see if Wilco is out when we walk past.

and if we do bite the bullet, i'll def get 2.

thanks again.