Fgs I've just agreed to Guinea pigs.

[pastypirate]

I have said yes to fostering 2 boy piggies from a family friend who is rehoming. I have told the dds it's a trial period. Then I told dp who just agreed to keep them and didn't overthink it. Sigh.

What do I need to know? We already have very delicate rex rabbits so I'm well used to high maintenance floofs.

They are going to live indoors in dd2 room for now and see how we get on. I am so excited for the meeping!

The dds have a pet care chart they have to complete so I guess I will make another one. Dds are 11/14 so pretty helpful.

[Isthisjustnormal]

In comparison to rabbits guineas are so easy. Much less high maintenance, easy to care for happy to be snuggled on your knee ‘purring’ for ages.

also, i think photos are expected in these sort of threads?!?

[Aquamarine1029]

Good luck. Their smell is fucking awful.

[baileybrosbuildingandloan]

@Aquamarine1029

Good luck. Their smell is fucking awful.

My son and DIL piggies have never smelt? Free range in the house!

[SabbatWheel]

Trial might be good - I only found out by handling one at the school zoo (as an adult) that I was violently allergic to them!

[SomersetTart]

The meeping is wonderful!

I've never noticed that guinea pigs have any smell other than a lovely furry clean bedding smell.

[Floralnomad]

They need a lot more room than pet shop cages would imply .

[pastypirate]

@Isthisjustnormal

In comparison to rabbits guineas are so easy. Much less high maintenance, easy to care for happy to be snuggled on your knee ‘purring’ for ages.

also, i think photos are expected in these sort of threads?!?

What??? The purr???

We are fetching them after school I will post pics promise!

[pastypirate]

@Aquamarine1029

Good luck. Their smell is fucking awful.

Oh god

[pastypirate]

@baileybrosbuildingandloan I was wondering about free range!

Also we have another friend with very well litter trained piggies plus we have litter trained the buns so not too worried re the smell just yet.

[pastypirate]

@Floralnomad

They need a lot more room than pet shop cages would imply .

Ah that's ok so do my rexes - the steep learning curve was a couple of years back - already been looking at enrichment etc. also dp v handy with a toolkit. He's planning a new rabbit enclosure just now quite happily.

[gingeristhenewblack43]

Just here for the photos 😍

[AquariusAquarius]

Had guineas, no smell at all other than their urine which is to be expected- obviously just got to keep on top of cleaning

They are sweet creatures- enjoy!

[Beamur]

They need a lot of cleaning but are the sweetest of pets if well socialised.
Much easier than rabbits.

[RubyShoeDay]

Ooh enjoy your new piggies. Could you post your pet care chart please? I’d love one for my DCs and am looking for inspiration. They’re either both keen to do everything or deny it’s their turn.

[pastypirate]

@AquariusAquarius

Had guineas, no smell at all other than their urine which is to be expected- obviously just got to keep on top of cleaning

They are sweet creatures- enjoy!

Awww. Had a chat with the dds that they will need a scoop out every other day likely as they will be indoors. I recall years ago with hamsters we had a dinky spade for a v quick scoop I will find one in b&m I reckon.

Whoever said about the purring made the dds and dp v excited!

[pastypirate]

@RubyShoeDay

Ooh enjoy your new piggies. Could you post your pet care chart please? I’d love one for my DCs and am looking for inspiration. They’re either both keen to do everything or deny it’s their turn.

Yes of course when I get home later. I bought a laminator from Amazon pretty much for this purpose. There are some good clip art pics just in word I found.

I have to say it hasn't moved the dds over into taking 100% responsibility but they do help a lot more and we all fill in the chart so the dog can't allege he's not been fed 😂

[pastypirate]

@RubyShoeDay actually that's inspired me to use it more to record who is doing what - in the kids interest to prove they have helped!

[pastypirate]

Do they need jabs? My buns have a yearly double inoculation that is going up every year grrrr.

I've just had a reply from the animal boarding place we use when we go on holiday who had said she will make room for them so I think that's settled then!

[TeenDivided]

Ours are indoors and don' smell, only the hay, live on washable fleece.
They are cleaned out morning and evening however.

[Beamur]

They don't need inoculations. They need nail care and sometimes teeth checking, but a decent diet should keep teeth ok.
Boars sometimes benefit from a bath.
One of mine was particularly affectionate and would groom my hands and nails with little licks and nibbles and made a happy chuntering noise when fussed.
They're quite hardy little animals but don't like cold or damp conditions. Not really an issue if they're indoors.

[aquarimum]

Piggies are the BEST. Ours don't smell but do make an interesting variety of cute noises!

[HeBeaverandSheBeaver]

I adore GPS. The nooses they make are so adorable

They never bite either.

Just clean out regularly and you have super pets.

[Spencer0220]

Don't bother scooping out. Urine is is what smells. Change bedding every 3-4 days to fresh wood shavings.

Learn as much as you can about each animal. My pairs have been very different. The current duo loves vegetables, won't touch fruit. My first boy HATED certain vegetables.

If one dies, you must as soon as possible, get a new friend. Forget not wanting another because you are sad.

Best decision we ever made to have our boys.

[JaneIves]

I poo pick every day, and I've got a single pig that poops enough for 2.
He has a guinea dad liner on one end and sleeping area is a box of hay. I line the box with puppy pads and layer the hay on top, makes it easy to change out as you just scoop up the corners of the puppy pad and bung it all in the bin. I do this every other day as by then the puppy pad and hay combo is soaked through. I top up hay daily.

[DrJoanAllenby]

@Aquamarine1029

Good luck. Their smell is fucking awful.

I've had Guinea pigs for over fifty years and none have smelt.

They are very clean animals and a joy to care for.

Very friendly, inquisitive and intelligent animals and they certainly don't smell.