Guinea Pigs

[FatSpottedAppy]

Does anyone have one? I am really looking into getting one, I would rather not buy from the pet store because I hear so many bad things about pet store animals and they are very expensive there. :doh:

[TheRedHayflinger]

I've had them before...very sweet, talkative little buggers! Pretty easy to care for and fun to have around.

another reason not to buy from a petstore--you might end up with one that is already preggers......I bought two from a small local pet store in college, was told all three in the pen were females....well..I think I brought home the only two females because they both popped out babies...

you might want to check out the ARBA site (American Rabbit Breeders Association) and see if any breeders listed on there are near you (yes...i know..rabbits...but they also are in charge of guinea pigs--aka the cavy...which is what I call them)
http://www.arba.net/Breeders.php

[pandorasmom]

I'll be happy to share some info too once I get back to my pc. I have some pics to if you want any?

[Mountain Creek]

Go to petfinder and adopt some! :)

[cheval]

I had Rommie for over three years before she passed away. I bought her at the pet store. I think it's usually better to adopt but you can find really nice ones at the pet store and when it comes down to it, they need good homes too.

You really need to remember that they must have Vitamin C every day or they will get very sick. My vet said there's not really enough C in most pellet foods, so I had her on a liquid version. Put three drops in their water bottle, shake it up and give them a fresh dose and fresh water everyday.

You can get them pretty cheap at a lot of pet stores. I only paid $15.00 for Rommie.

They have little piggie corrals that you can get so they can have time outside their cage. Rommie was a free roam piggie though. She didn't get locked in or she would throw a fit like you wouldn't believe. She liked to go exploring but spent most of her time with the bunny.

They are really fun pets. Just give them some fresh hay, some pellets, things to chew on and toys to play with and they will be very happy.

[Remali]

They're sooooo sweet! I had piggies many years ago and they are adorable pets and so lovable. Sounds like Cheval and the others have some very good info for you..... If you get one, don't forget to post pics here!

[cheval]

I'm getting another one next month. Even though they don't always live very long, they are just sweet little pets and I miss having a buddy around here. I'm just not ready to get a bun. I don't think I'd ever find another Bunzilla! bunny.

[Horserider]

I currently own three and I've owned five (not all at once. The most I've ever had at one time was four). I love my little piggies. They're very sweet. Rarely (if ever) bite and they're relatively low maintenance. Just need some food and a bottle of water, a nice clean cage (depending on the size of the cage, type of bedding, and the number of piggies in a cage they usually have to be cleaned about once every two weeks). But if you do get one do your research because some varieties of bedding are bad for them. I use Carefresh which is about $12 for a small bag which I can clean four small cages or two large cages with.

They love to be taken outside for grass and I have one that I like to take out and put in a blanket when I'm just sitting around because she likes to curl up and cuddle. It's so sweet!

Even though they don't always live very long,

They live 8-10 years if you take proper care of them. I've only had two die, one from old age and another from unknown causes. Cinny I've had the longest she's probably about 3 or 4 years old now. Chip we've had for two years (he's our only male) and Sassy we've had for one or two.

ETA: I've gotten all my guinea pigs from Pet Supplies Plus. Two of them came with runny noses and eye discharge. Piggy (which was the first one I owned) and Sassy. Piggy died about 8 months or more after I got her, but we still have Sassy. It's not that hard to treat.

The main thing you have to watch with pet stores is they don't separate males and females. With adults this can be a huge problem because after one year of age guinea pigs can't breed if they haven't had a little before their first birthday. (Check me on that it might be 8 months. Somewhere around 1 year anyway.) And with babies they can't deliver babies safely. Guinea pigs are hard to breed because they commonly have problems giving birth.

[cheval]

I did take proper care of Rommie. She got sick and the vet didn't know what happened. He said they normally live 3-5 years.

If you go to one of the more reputable pet stores they do separate males/females. I go to Petsmart.

[~*Domino*~]

I recently adopted a little female GP! She is the most talkative little piggie I have ever had! Soo love her!! I have named her Chica but hubby calls her Nascar because of the burn outs and laps she does in her cage! LoL, She also loves to cuddle with my Lucky! She is only 4 1/2 weeks in these pictures.
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/MRSELUSIVE70/Piggie/100_3060-1.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm318/MRSELUSIVE70/Piggie/BabySqueak5-22-09019-2.jpg

[pandorasmom]

But if you do get one do your research because some varieties of bedding are bad for them.

I agree here! My piggy is allergic to anything but Carefresh.


Seems like everyone's answered you already, so I won't tell you the same thing again. lol :p I do have pics though if you want to see them sometime.

[jeezitsjacki]

aww I love them, they are so cute. We have 2 at the barn that we bought, they live at the barn during the summer months (may through october approx.) and at someones house through the winter. They are 4 years old now.

you just have to remember to cut their nails or they will grow into their pads, and check their teeth and give them plenty of wood so the tops dont overgrow onto the bottoms

[Remali]

Very good point about the litter.....I buy Carefresh for my rabbit (his litter box). Pine and cedar shavings are really bad for the animals respiratory system.

[Hannah_xx]

Hello,
Guinea pigs are lovely! i have two myself. they are easy to look after and put a smile to your face every time you see them :p.
I clean them out about twice a week. They get fresh vegetables every morning and night as well as having the dried food avalible all the time (and obviously fresh water lol)
But Guinea pigs are social animals and really should be kept in Pairs, one on its own can become very lonely and not be as friendly and confident as they should be. 2 females like i have should get along fine. :)
good luck if you get some!
xx

[Horserider]

I did take proper care of Rommie. She got sick and the vet didn't know what happened. He said they normally live 3-5 years.

I didn't say you didn't. :) Hmmm I read a few books that say they live more like 8 to 10 years.

[FatSpottedAppy]

Well, I took a look at the petstore yesterday and they were 25.00 each. :( I can't spend that much on one, I was thinking more in the 10-15 dollar range.. I am just gonna wait it out and see if I can find someone with something cheaper. Bleh.

Thanks guys. Keep the info coming.. I love learning about them. I either want a guinea pig or rabbit..

[Horserider]

Could you maybe check out local ads, pet rescues, and petfinder.com?

[FatSpottedAppy]

I am looking at petfinder right now.. There are a bunch I'd LOVE to go look at but they are all at a rescue 2 hours away..

[Horserider]

Awwww 2 hours is a long way for a guinea pig.

[FatSpottedAppy]

Unfortunately! I will keep checking the classifieds though and I think my Mom's boyfriend is going to ask around work. :p

[jeezitsjacki]

check craigslist.. I have seen some on there

[cheval]

I didn't say you didn't. :) Hmmm I read a few books that say they live more like 8 to 10 years. You're quoting me and statement right after sure seemed that way. The pet store told me the same thing that they live about 3-5 years. I'm sure there are some exceptions. Either way, my point was, they don't live as long as other pets but they are worth it.

[Horserider]

You're quoting me and statement right after sure seemed that way. The pet store told me the same thing that they live about 3-5 years. I'm sure there are some exceptions. Either way, my point was, they don't live as long as other pets but they are worth it.

Sorry, it wasn't meant to be read that way. Going back I see what you mean, but I may or may not have read the post about Rommie before my eyes caught your second post.

The two pigs I had that died seemed died suddenly and seemed healthy before they died. Both of them had Cinny for a roommate and she's fine...