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Michelle
My Little Yankee Fans
Member since 1/06 4018 total posts
Name:
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Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
Anyone have guinea pigs? My boys want to get 2 of them and I just want to see what we are getting ourselves into.
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Posted 6/1/10 11:09 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Mom2010
LIF Toddler
Member since 3/10 384 total posts
Name:
Eclaire Lover
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
I've had several. The most recent was about a year ago. We got him from Craigslist as a freebie and he was a few years old. Came w/the cage, etc. He was the sweetest little thing. Never bit you but always seemed afraid, etc.
I've had pigs that had great personalities, very outgoing and the I've had ones that were nasty/bit, etc. My DC is five (going on six) and it was just enough responsibility for her to manage (feeding/water). I never let DC clean the cage though (I handled that). I think they are a great pet for the younger crowd. Easy to maintain.
Try searching Kathy (or Katie's Critters). They have pets for adoption for free. You'd be surprised how many people want to get rid of them just because they are a nuisance. When I took my dog to Kent Animal Shelter recently, they told me someone threw overnight 10 guinea pigs over the fence because they didn't "want" them. Terrible 
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| Posted 6/1/10 4:34 PM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
I had them.
They are usually friendly. Like to be held & hang out. Never bit.
My nieces & nephews had one and did well with it.
Bad part ?
Just the litter needing to be changed weekly, I guess that would be a bad part.
They live for about 7 years.
I agree with Prior poster, I would check craigslist, adoption shelters.
You'll find free cages & pets that need homes.
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| Posted 6/3/10 11:13 AM |
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Michelle
My Little Yankee Fans
Member since 1/06 4018 total posts
Name:
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
Thanks for the info, I was looking at adopting one from Katie's Critters, I had no idea at first that getting GP's from a pet store was bad until I did some research. Hopefully adopting will wokr out fir us. Did you get a regualr cage or was the cage you got one of those c&c cages that are way bigger.
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| Posted 6/3/10 11:14 AM |
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3girls1dog
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 929 total posts
Name:
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
we have two and they are very sweet. They got use to green beans so always come to the front of the cage for some. they like to be held.
they can get smelly if not cleaned regularly. but the cleaning doesn't take very long.
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| Posted 6/3/10 1:39 PM |
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Mom2010
LIF Toddler
Member since 3/10 384 total posts
Name:
Eclaire Lover
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
Posted by Michelle
Thanks for the info, I was looking at adopting one from Katie's Critters, I had no idea at first that getting GP's from a pet store was bad until I did some research. Hopefully adopting will wokr out fir us. Did you get a regualr cage or was the cage you got one of those c&c cages that are way bigger.
I don't recall what the brand was but it wasn't an aquarium/glass type. It was a wired/plastic bottomed cage (almost like a bunny or ferret cage). It gave him enough room to move around in and be comfortable in. It came with him so that was a savings there. The glass ones seem to retain the moisture and I think they are dirtier than the wire/plastic bottom ones.
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| Posted 6/4/10 4:24 PM |
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Leb
LIF Adult
Member since 12/09 4166 total posts
Name:
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
I have 2 boys and adore them. You have to keep in mind they are exotic pets, need to visit an exotic vet and can be super pricey with vet bills, bedding, hay and the amount of veggies they eat.
Both of mine are adopted too! I am glad to hear you did your research and mentioned the c&c cage, it's the only type really, that provides ample room. Is easy to make and the cheapest.
One of my boys actually came from Katie's critters. It's great to adopt because most pet store pigs are inbreed, no such thing as a responsible gp breeder as each pregnant pig has a 25% channce of dying. Plus inbred pigs have a higher rate of genetic diseases.
My advice to you is to search on guinealynx.org. It has the best info out there. Also if you get pigs for you boys be prepared to be the primary caregiver, their bedding for me gets changed daily - in the pee and poop spots and a full cleaning every 3-4 days.
They need unlimited timothy hay and plain pellets, veggies 2x a day, and lots of love an attention. FM me if you want more info, they are great pets but are a lot of work and can be expensive.
Thanks for considering adopting!
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| Posted 7/2/10 11:50 PM |
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Leb
LIF Adult
Member since 12/09 4166 total posts
Name:
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
Posted by Mom2010
Posted by Michelle
Thanks for the info, I was looking at adopting one from Katie's Critters, I had no idea at first that getting GP's from a pet store was bad until I did some research. Hopefully adopting will wokr out fir us. Did you get a regualr cage or was the cage you got one of those c&c cages that are way bigger.
I don't recall what the brand was but it wasn't an aquarium/glass type. It was a wired/plastic bottomed cage (almost like a bunny or ferret cage). It gave him enough room to move around in and be comfortable in. It came with him so that was a savings there. The glass ones seem to retain the moisture and I think they are dirtier than the wire/plastic bottom ones.
Just so you know wire cages are horrible for gp's, it gives them a foot infection called bumblefoot which is extremely painful and can lead to foot amputation.
Glass aquariums are no good because the build up of urine causes lung scarring and disease, also keeps the tank too hot.
Lots of people don't realize how delicate these guys are. Please look into a c&c cage at guineapigcages.com, they are soooo easy to make and are cheap!
It's coroplast (like what political signs are made of), and cubing that you use to make shelves.
Message edited 7/2/2010 11:58:29 PM.
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| Posted 7/2/10 11:55 PM |
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MrsFrizzle
<3
Member since 9/09 4628 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
We had one years ago I was young so I dont really remember much. It was short lived though because my sister brought it outside one day and our outdoor cat snatched it up and ran away with it and we never saw it again. So I guess my suggestion would be is to keep it away from outdoor cats!!
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| Posted 7/3/10 10:02 AM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
i never had one but have had rabbits and Im sure like rabbits the more you hold them the better they will be.
My rabbit never bites or runs away because we always hold him and pet him
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| Posted 7/3/10 8:29 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
I have one, she's 7 1/2 and very well tempered. I got her when she was old enough to be separated from her mother.
It's sad, she's slowed down a lot this past year since she's getting older.
I have one of those plastic bottom - wire top cages and haven't had any issues.
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| Posted 7/8/10 2:13 PM |
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Andrewz00
Look! I changed it!
Member since 4/10 1789 total posts
Name:
Andrew
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Re: Guinea Pigs, the good and the bad?
omg the one i had when i was younger NEVER SHUT UP!!!... it would squeak all day!!! 
very cute tho...
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| Posted 7/8/10 2:19 PM |
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