Tell me all the drawbacks to keeping guinea pigs

[Skiffle]

I'm very tempted to launch into guinea pig ownership. I would love to have some animals and guineas seem to fit the bill. Have looked a lot at websites and at threads on here and it all seems lovely. I'd want to keep them inside (apart from letting them out in good weather). We'd want to wait a good six months-a year until youngest DD is nearer 3 and less likely to crush it or throw things into the cage, so we're not rushing!

So please, hit me with the negatives. What is the worst or most annoying thing about guinea pigs? The websites all say they don't smell as long as you clean out the cage frequently, is that true? Are the droppings easy to pick up like rabbit poo? I imagine holiday care is fairly easy as they are quite transportable (to friends for babysitting, I'm not planning to take them on a plane).

ideally I'd like a horse but guineas won't bankrupt us

^ I used to get hives etc when holding guins, then I had ringworm and it seemed to all go away! No more allergies.....guess I just grew out of them. Maybe your DD will be the same way, hope so!

Just searched for this thread as we are considering getting a couple of guinea pigs, possibly for DD's birthday in September.

DH is adamant that they will need to be indoor pets, I would prefer to keep them outdoors, particularly after reading about the allergenic aspect (I suffer from hayfever and am allergic to friend's cats, although I'm fairly sure that's because she has four indoor cats as I had one myself for 16 years with no problems!).

If they do become indoor pets - they will probably live on the giant windowsill in DD's room - the radiator is below it, but it is a north facing window so hopefully that will balance it out?

Otherwise, what would be the best way to fox-proof an outdoor hutch. Surely one with sturdy wire, an added lock with a padlock and weatherproof cover would do the job? This is DH's main concern about keeping them outdoors as we have a lot of foxes round our way.

Also, either way I was assuming I would line the floor of cage/hutch with newspaper before layering on hay/sawdust, but girl in the shop told me that newsprint is toxic - is this correct? If so what (if anything) so you use as a liner?

Hi DumSpiroSpero

Ooh, lots to consider.

First , yah for guinea-pigs , they are fabulous.
But:
Window sill near a radiator- no .They'll overheat.
Even if you put the radiator off they don't like being near a window much. Risk of draughts and they like to hide away , a window sill is a bit too light and bright for them.
I was reading a USA Rescue site (possibly California) and they don't rehome if they are going to live in a child's room.

Our GP1 is sleeping in my DD room this week because he's in his grieving stage. TBH one pig doesn't make much noise or smell ( mainly the hay smell) but 2 are messier.

Fox proofing- most commercial cages have wire with those U shaped nails. You could get your DH to reinforce with more heavy duty mesh ((we went to B&Q and got some sheets of really thick plastic coated metal mesh for the screen door. I only leave the wooden door open if I'm in the garden with them. The screen door is strong but the local foxes are relentless)
Our Pighouse window has wooden slatts screwed in, metal grid and flymesh (DH is taking no chances) . Thats on the inside, the window frame lifts out and can be bolted in.

Newspaper- I use no problem. Just make sure there's no staples. I don't use shavings or sawdust. Had Megazorb- ok but didn't buy again.
I collect pigsafe paper for shredding (they have a confetti cut shredder just for them)

My GP2 used to like chewing cardboard boxes (again - no staples or plastic/sticky tape) but the never bother with the newspaper.

You can use fleece but it's the devils own job to get the hay off.

My pigs are indoor/outdoor. They have much more room outdoors.They have a morning hello.An evening cuddle. DD chats to them when she gets home, and will put them in the run.

(I keep saying "them" we have one but we're resolving that soon)

Thanks for the tips.

Am pleased to hear your verdict on the position of indoor hutch as I really wasn't keen. Actually managed to get talking to a couple of GP owners at Sports day this morning, and I think we will look at making space for them in the shed, which will solve the where, the weather & the fox issues in one go.

How are they being out in a run in winter? I was going to get an indoor run initially, but do they need to graze?

DH is quite keen to get his dad on board and build something over the summer hols !

How do you know if paper/ink is pigsafe?

We do loads of shredding at work which would be an ideal source of free bedding - standard copier paper & laserjet/pen ink.

WRT to winter runs- they don't like damp/cold so they won't cope with that.
Last October (just before Hallowe'en) we were clearing the end of the garden so we put the pigs in the run with a cardboard box and a fleece while I cleaned the Pighouse. They sat judgily grumbling to go indoors (it was dry, bright and warm-ish)

I'm the nutter caring Guinea-Mum scrabbling round the lawn with scissors cutting handfuls of fresh grass when they can't go out.
Or I gave them Redi-Grass but it made my GP2 sneeze.
They can get all their grass nutrients from good hay too .Though at the moment some hay is manky
I've just bought a bag of Timothy hay with marigold and dandelion. I'm not using so much for bedding (too warm) so they've got a fleece in a box. Then a seperate tub of naice eating hay.

Pigsafe paper- I wouldn't use shiney magazine paper.
Paper envelopes with the 'window' film cut out or normal letter paper type is fine.
And I found a finely shredded TV Times made lovely bedding.

But mine weren't paper eaters so I was lucky.

OK, will have an inspection of the work shredding and see if that's worth trying when the time comes!

So, as we're likely to be getting them mid-September, I think I'll invest in a decent indoor run - we've got a good size sitting room, so I'll put something down on the carpet and they can have a couple of hours cuddles and frolicking with DD after school, and will get DH & FIL on the case so we have an outdoor run for next spring.

PS - I don't like damp/cold either, so an indoor run for the winter is just fine by me!

Spent the afternoon at local pet shop learning about and cuddling lots of guineas.

DH has been duly softened up and it's going to be be guineas-a-go-go when we get back from our holiday at the end of August!

We're going to try & find away to make enough space in the shed for them, and get an indoor run initially as it'll be almost autumn by then.

Had decided on two girls, but DD was really taken with one of the little chaps we met today, so we may end up with boys - it'll either be Bella & Luna, or Stilton & Cheddar. Never thought I'd get DH to agree to pets so I'm nearly as excited as DD !

My GP1 is meeting his new guinea-step-son tomorrow.
Not decided on a name yet, it'll depend when he picks the pig then I can see what he looks like.

My DC have rejected 99% of the names I like though

Ah, good luck. Do you find two boys get on OK?

I was warned by the first person I spoke to that they can get a bit scrappy.

We had 2 boys, but one died about 3 months go, so now we have a lone piggy. As he is now 6 we don't think it a good idea to introduce another as we may well be left with one again quite soon. Amazingly he had an operation to remove a malignant cancerous lump at 2 so we were surprised he outlived his brother.

IMO they are easier and more rewarding than Hamsters. Although I did have gerbils when I was a child and they were great fun

Our 2 boys got on fine but they were brothers. As long as you introduce them early they should be fine.

They cope well with extremes of cold weather but not hot, so mine were outside all the time until they were about 4 when we started to bring them in for the winter months. They don't like damp or draughts.
We bought a proper indoor cage for ours for the winter. They last just under a week before they need cleaning out. I have noticed that my remaining pig seems much happier now he's outside for the summer.

I also have dogs and cats. The cats completely ignore them but I'm not sure all cats would. The dogs were interested at first but are now more interested in the chickens! In fact one of ours escaped and my collie just stood and looked at it!

They are lovely. My DCs are older now and off to uni etc so I don't know if we will get any more.

My two boars were brothers and they did have the odd sibling spat.

I found with boars - if you give them enough space, enough distraction (food), some 'get out of my face space' and don't let them be in a situation where one can trap the other. (Like give two doors in the hidey boxes and have enough space round food bowls)

One will always be Alpha and as long as this is maintained it's a beneficial relationship. We always greeted GP1 first. He always protected GP2.
The only arsey-ness we got was when they binged on coriander and GP2 got a bit above himself.

They sound hilarious!

As items out first foray into pretty ownership as adults we'll probably go the pet shop route this time so will get a pair that have been bred together or housed together from 6 weeks.

DD wants to ask the pet shop if she can handle a couple without knowing the sex and choose without knowing, then we'll get the other one to match!

Unfortunately we're not likely to be getting any more pets - DH is a dog person and I'm a cat person and never the twain shall meet!

Dum please don't go to a PetShop to buy your piglets.

You don't know that they have been bred from the same litter. They put a load of same age (and if you are lucky same sex but it's not unknown for boys/girls to be together).
You get minimal (any any) back up from a PetShop . One well known one gives you a 24 hour guarantee , so if anything happens after you are on your own

A rescue will have different GPs according to what has come to them.
I got my little boy today . They had some very small pigs that were with the mum too. Something like that you could view them, cuddle them, and reserve them.

You need to decide if you want boys or girls first though. As piglets they don't show their character so much, it's when they reach puberty.
Sows are easier, boars are gorgeous but harder work IMO.

If you go to a Rescue and there are any problems, they will advice you and if need be, take them back.

Look on Gumtree Guinea-Pigs and see how many GPs are looking for rehoming.

The sellers either moving/lost interest/allergic/children CBA.
They all offer "I'm selling my guinea-pig" like they are doing a phenomenal favour.
No, if I took your GP, I'd be doing you the favour. And I wouldn't want your shoebox cage so you can stuff your £30/£50 (someone wanted £150 ) right where the sun don't shine.
They would get a good caring home and I wouldn't pay a Gumtree Seller for that priviledge.

And, (I've told this before on SFA) P@H had baby guineas flown in from Spain.
Why?

And another time when DD and I were in we commented on the cute piglets/ The salesman said (a bit too enthusiastically I though) "Oh, yes but we've got a load of new babies just come in.They are out the back. They are really cute"

I got all of ours from the rspca. might be worth a try. But I agree, not a pet shop :(

We've got a couple of independent pet shops near us that offer a vet check and follow up as part of the 'package', but have googled and found half a dozen or so rescue centres near us so will look into that too - any recommendations in Sussex much appreciated!

And congratulations on your new arrival 70! .

Hi - try the guinea forum, Rodents with Attitude site for places in Sussex. We are not far away in Hants and there is a fab guinea rescue, Wheek and Squeak just north of Portsmouth if that is not too far for you. There will be a reputable place somewhere, but do avoid places like P@H if you can :(

Good luck, some will come I am sure!

Have just been looking at Preloved - there are pairs of guineas waiting to be rehomed in Kent and other places, may be worth a look.

I feel so sad when I see all these guineas being got rid of :(

Hope you don't mind me crashing this thread op :) but I would like to adopt a pair of guinea pigs soon. I've done my research and have found a rescue home but I just wondered about cages, what would everyone recommend for two gps? They will be kept indoors but a lot of the indoor cages I have looked at seem a bit small?

I have a 4 by 2 c and c cage for my two boars and I think it's a good amount of space to keep them happy and not have any fights. I use fleece liners from ebay that make it nice and snug and look cool. The c and c cages are great because they are portable (if they need to go to a friends when your on your hols) they are easy to clean and they allow a lot of interaction.