Guinea Pig as a pet?

Does anyone have any feedback on having a guinea pig as a pet? My DD is desperate to get one. We love animals but I dont know much about Guinea Pig interaction. Are they friendly and cuddly, does it seem they bond with you? Is clean up a disaster? are they smelly? TIA!

Re: Guinea Pig as a pet?

If you look into it they are social animals and should be adopted as a pair. Not sure how you feel about that haha.

We had two. The worst part is probably cleaning the cage. My kids enjoyed playing with them. You can kind of tell personality when choosing one. One was calm and one was more active. They would usually sit though when you held to cuddle and pet.

Turns out my husband was highly allergic to the hay that they eat so we had to re-home. If you are animal people would probably make for a good pet.

Also my home had adopted and was told was a baby but turned out it was older and pregnant and died during childbirth (very traumatic for all kids involved). I don't know how you can be sure actually getting a baby or in our case we adopted two males.

Guinea Pig as a pet?

Definitely a pair! Pet store cages are TOO small, generally you’ll have to make your own. Google c&c cage, easy and cheap. Bedding is expensive, some people use fleece. They NEED hay 24-7 to keep their teeth short. They love veggies and will eat daily. It’s a commitment bc they live 5-7 years. If your daughter is 10 who will take care of the pigs when she’s 13, 15 or even 17?

However hey can be so rewarding when they bond to you and get to know you.

Re: Guinea Pig as a pet?

I’m highly allergic as well! I can’t even be in the same room.

Guinea Pig as a pet?

they are nice pets for kids. You can buy horse pellets found at agway, cheaper and lasts a long time. I used pellets for rabbits. I think as long as you teach her to take care of it properly and supervise it should be good. If she loses interest in 6 months or a 1 all pets become mom and dads responsibility. PS small animals dont smell they are pray animals but yes a cage can smell if not cared for

Guinea Pig as a pet?

Thanks for all the feedback! We do also have a small dog and 2 cats who are all easy going, but a separate space is available for the pigs when we are not home. I expect daily clean up and maintenance but wanted to make sure they were "worth it" as far as bonding and a fun pet to have around.
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Also aside from the large cage do you let them "roam" around the house when you are home? or just mainly holding them?

Message edited 12/10/2017 12:57:33 PM.

Re: Guinea Pig as a pet?

We got one several years ago and didn't have the best experience. Our guinea pig was aggressive and bit me a few times so our kids were terrified of it. My husband wound up being highly allergic and developed asthma as a result so he could not go near it or clean up after it. We had to give it away because it was not a good situation.

Re: Guinea Pig as a pet?

Message edited 12/10/2017 8:28:38 PM.