Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

My daughters are 6 and 3 and are begging for a pet. I love animals and think it would be fun. I don't want the responsibility of a dog, and my husband hates cats. Anyone have experiences with Guinea Pigs or Cockatiels? Both seem like sociable pets that we could enjoy. Am I going to regret the amount of clean up involved? Any warnings or encouragement to offer?

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

Personally I don't care for birds, they make too much noise. I would go with the Guinea Pig.

Petfinders is a good place to find one to adopt. Here's a list of adoptable Guinea Pigs

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

We have guinea pigs and they start to smell if not cleaned often enough. We got 2 from a rescue place in Miller Place. If you are close to Sayville, I saw a sign in the carvel that someone is looking for a home for 2 guinea pigs.

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

I agree with Guinea pigs. IMO, kids want to HOLD a pet and touch it. The bird will just not allow this.

I had guinea pigs growing up. They are relatively neat, don't really bite that much (though I'd be careful about adopting one that may be looking for a new home because of a biting history), don't smell if you change them enough and are relatively low maintenance. They do require a large cage though.

We also had a hamster and gerbil, which are smaller and IMO less tame than the guinea pig.

I personally think cats are great pets. They are clean, low maintenance, and friendlier than guinea pigs. The only negative is that they live a lot longer, so you are stuck with them.

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

I think a guinea pig is great for young kids.

They are cute, sociable, interactive, and not nocturnal (like hamsters are).

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

I wouldnt get a bird. They make a mess with their seed and attract moths. Also they arent the cuddly type pet, if that would be something your kids would like.

I never had a GP, but what about a rabbit? They are pretty easy to care for and ive found with all the ones ive had, they were super friendly bc we held an interacted with them a lot. Mine is also litter bix trsiner (easy to do).

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

i have a cockatiel, they are messy! the seed and sometimes feathers get every where, you would need to vacuum near the bird cage a lot. sometimes the birdcage can be a little bit stinky if it isn't cleaned frequently enough. i have a female bird, so she isn't that noisy (males are supposed to be the noisier ones). although a bird will be fun to look at and even let fly around the house, it really isn't a pet that can be cuddled....
i don't have experience with guinea pigs, but i probably would go with that over a bird.

Message edited 4/27/2011 6:25:45 PM.

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

both are soooooo cute but soooooo messy!

Re: Opinions on having a Guinea Pig or Cockatiel with young children?

I dont know where I just read it (must have been one of my parenting magazines) but they said guinea pigs and rabbits are good first pets.