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Original poster

I'm that close to buying a couple of guinea pigs, quick question

31 replies

AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 10:45

Ok, so I've done my research, I've looked at cages, food, bedding, whether to have sows or boars (although still not 100% on this) and of course I'd still probably have tons more questions if we did buy a couple but....

We were thinking of having indoor guinea pigs, can you tell me just how noisy they can get? When dp gets up at 6am, will their squeaks wake the whole house and disturb our grumpy neighbours? I can imagine that they would be excited to see you first thing in the morning Grin do just how loud do they get.

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Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 10:45

*so

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Muskey · 11/09/2015 10:56

Our piggy boars make a racket just before feeding and they are quite active in the morning but don't tend to make too much noise. Guinea pigs are the best pets

Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 11:20

I've just been to have another nosey at them at the pet shop and I'm in love Grin I just worry about the noise issue. I suppose once they're having breakfast they quieten down Smile

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Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 11:21

Our house is made out of cardboard and I'm not sure how easily those squeaks will penetrate through our flimsy walls.

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magicpuppy · 11/09/2015 11:25

We have two girls and they can be quite noisy. The usually do their loudest, highest squeaks and wheeks when they hear me coming because they WANT FOOD NOW (it's always that urgent even if I've just fed them Grin)

They make a bit of a racket tearing around their run too - they move their houses and toys around.

Ours are in the spare room but it's at the end of the hall so once the door is closed at night they don't bother anyone. I wouldn't sleep in the same room as them though.

Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 11:31

I might have to rethink and make them outdoor piggies Sad but with plenty of indoor interaction. I could quite easily have bought a pair just, I kept looking at the cages and what food we'd need, a playpen type thing so they could have some carpet time with us Grin but there's this noise issue which I only really thought about recently. I love the noises they make but didn't really know just how loud they can get. Can imagine it would sound quite loud at 6am.

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magicpuppy · 11/09/2015 11:34

Were you thinking of keeping in the living room? If your DH gets up and they hear him they will wheek for treats but if he feeds them and leaves they will quieten down again.

HemanOrSheRa · 11/09/2015 11:35

We had two indoor piggies. Sadly they have gone to piggie heaven Sad. They made a bit of a racket at tea time. They had their veggies in the evening so I could prepare their food along with our evening meal. They would start wheeking as soon as they heard me rattling about in the kitchen! They also got a bit excited when they heard the rustle of the hay bag.

If they were having a scoot about or 'popcorning' they would make scuffling noises. They purr and chatter too. One of ours was definitely much more vocal than the other. She would plant her two front legs firming and WWWWHHHEEEEEEEEKKKKK!!!! With her nose up in the air. So cute! I loved them. Gorgeous cob shaped cuddliness Smile.

Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:11

We have a fairly big kitchen and I know it's not ideal but that's where they'd be in the morning, first thing.
I'd planned on using a playpen type set up in the livingroom when I was cooking and also a run for outdoors when the weather was good enough, we have a big garden so always plenty of grass.

That was my plan anyway but it may be that we buy an outdoor hutch which can be situated right outside our kitchen door. Just bringing them in for winter and of course playtime with us. Don't know how ideal that would be though. Really wanted for them to feel part of the family.

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Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:14

The more you describe their different ways the more I want them in our lives. Never had GP before though so I've really thought long and hard.

Ds would like a dwarf hamster, I'm but so keen, although they are lovely but I'm not sure just how much of a pet they'd feel.

We need cuddles in this house.

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Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:14

*not

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puddingisgood · 11/09/2015 12:16

We didn't find the noise was a problem, but the smell was awful! They really do need quite a lot of cleaning I'm afraid. Lovely pets apart from that though.

HolgerDanske · 11/09/2015 12:17

Guinea pigs are much better as pets than hamsters, IMO.

And if you're worried about noise hamsters are the worst! They might not be vocal but they run on those wheels ALL. NIGHT. LONG.

tobee · 11/09/2015 12:18

Guinea pigs are totally easy to look after. They definitely don't make too much noise. Your neighbours would have to have bionic ears. The noise you make yourselves would be far louder!

Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:18

I've been looking at all sorts in the pet shop for smells. Lavender bedding etc other stuff which claims to absorb smells greatly.

I think they'd need to live outdoors wouldn't they.

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HolgerDanske · 11/09/2015 12:19

Yes that's true, they do get very smelly very quickly - they poo a LOT more than you'd think they would.

Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:19

Those of you who have outdoor guineas, what type of house are yours in? Where's the best place to buy?

We did look at outdoor hutches in pets at home a few wks ago but the quality didn't seem great, can imagine a couple of winters and they be falling apart.

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Lancelottie · 11/09/2015 12:20

Insert carrot/hay/pepper at first squeak and you'll be fine. Ours live in the kitchen too and are always alert for the fridge door opening.

I can't smell them, but that might be just me.

Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:20

Oh and if you have outdoor guineas are they happy to come inside and socialise with us humans?

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Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:22

Lancelottie, that would be what we'd have to do. Get breakfast ready last thing at night, dp would need to be quick to feed first thing Grin.

We were thinking that boars would be better if having them indoors as they produce less wee? Oh, decisions decisions.

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HolgerDanske · 11/09/2015 12:23

You need to be really careful that they'll be warm enough if they're going to be outdoor piggies.

I think I'd start with indoor and see how it goes Wink

I had piggies many years ago, such cute and funny creatures.

tobee · 11/09/2015 12:39

Second indoor guineas. As a child had outdoor guineas who had short lives, dying of respitory infections and guineas living indoors as adult (me) going strong.

Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:40

I'm yearning for a couple of the funny little creatures. Just want to make sure all are going to be happy with the set up.

I can tend to overthink things, can you tell Grin

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Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:42

Always had dogs in this house but due to work we can't have another currently. Have been thinking of GP for quite some time. I've been reading your posts on here and it always makes me chuckle the way you describe their funny ways, noises etc

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Original poster
AmazonGrace · 11/09/2015 12:44

I would bring them indoors during the winter if they ended up being outdoor guineas. We have loads of outdoor space for a decent hutch.

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