Advice!

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kel22

Hi. I'm thinking of getting my daughter (who is nearly 5) a couple of guinea pigs as she's desperate for a pet. Unfortunately she's allergic to cat hair and to dog saliva (!) so I'd rather get her something we can keep outside. We've visited farms where she's gone in with rabbits and guinea pigs without any reaction.

I have been looking at the Omlet Eglu houses as they come with a run that has a border around it to stop burrowing animals (www.omlet.co.uk) but I know there are mixed reviews about them. My main concern is that we live in South East London, have a good sized garden but do get the occassional fox who trots in. My husband is worried about the fox aspect of keeping a pet outside and I wondered if, firstly, anyone had one of these Eglu houses, if they're OK in summer and winter and the fox proof-ness of them. Secondly, with traditional wooden hutches/runs, is there a way of fox proofing them? Lastly, do guinea pigs make good pets for children?

Any comments would be really appreciated.

Thank you. ;)
 
Hi,

Gps are not really suitable as pets for young children unless the parents can oversee the care at all times.Gps are very complex animals and need a lot of attention.Their rib cages are not overstrong and an enthusiastic youngster could accidently fracture them by squeezing or dropping. Gps are friendly inquisative creatures and need the interreaction of family life.They are not outdoor animals as they cannot cope with the changes of weather we get.
Unless you can provide a purpose built shed or keep them indoors,you may be better to get a rabbit.They do better outdoors than gps,although a lot of people keep rabbits in the house.

If your daughter is allergic to cat dander,she may well be o.k.with gp hair which is very different to cat fur.

I cannot advise about Eglu houses as I have never used them.I keep my piggies indoors in open pens.Maybe another member has used Eglu and can advise you.
The best place to get a rabbit or gp if you do decide,is a rescue. If you get a gp from a pet shop there is always the risk that a sow is already pregnant,and there could be a health problem with the pig.Good rescues do thorough healthchecks before rehoming and make sure a sow is not pregnant.

As you are in the SouthEast London area you are not too far from a very good rescue called Animal Lifeline in Sutton.If you google you will find their website.They have pics of gps and rabbits for rehoming.

You are also near a gp expert vet based in the Ewell-By-Pass area.

Hampsters or gerbils might be worth considering,they would have to be kept indoors but do not take up much space.
Good luck with this and I hope your little girl finds a pet she can love.
 
Thanks for your reply. I was thinking that they'd probably be more my responsibility anyway until she's old enough to care for them properly herself!

Thanks for the links to rescue places.
 
Hi Kel22. I have a 2 year old and 8 month old girls and my oldest Eva is amazing with the piggies. i got the piggies for myself but I knew my girls would love them.. our 6 piggies live in our livingroom and i would be lost without them in the house. My 8 month rolls over to the cage and laughs her head off at them. I often catch eva signing the piggies songs when she doesn't think am watching. She also tells them stories and wont go to bed till she's said need to each one. She knows she only gets to clap them if i get them out and put them on her knee, she feeds them and i also make sure she help me clean them out.

That house looks great, its nice to look at something different from a wooden hutch. However, piggies really should be brought in during the winter and i have a feeling you daughter would not be to happy about them going back out side in the warmer weather after having them indoors.

You GP should be able to run tests to check for allegies (my youngest got this done) to make sure piggies are ok for her to have. Going with my experience with kids and piggies i'd say go for it.

Maeve with Lenny (about 9 weeks ago).
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My friend has 4 guinea pigs and her daughter is 4years old they have a strict rule of no picking up except by mummy (daddy just rolls his eyes at them ;D )
She keeps them out side for summer and they have a shed for the winter
x
 
I have to strongly advise AGAINST the Eglu, I work for an animal housing company who supply strong, english made animal housing, including snuggly hutches for piggies and buns. We are constantly getting calls from customers who have had Eglu's and have had problems with them due to their poor insulating qualities and mainly space. They have returned the Eglu's and come to us. :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff:

I personally wouldnt touch one with a bargepole, in essence they are a glorified pet carrier, in the summer because they are made of plastic?! they are very hot, and also in the winter they are not warm enough. Also due to their plastic-ness they are not very sturdy and can easily be knocked over in the wind or by foxes and cats.

Give it its due it does look attractive, but it was designed by a european interior designer who has no concept of looking after animals or their spacial needs.

I am saying this purely for the welfare of the animal, my company (not naming for legal reasons) do not sell live birds to customers who wish to keep them in Eglu's fair enough we loose money but at least we know our birds arent going in a house completely unsuitable for birds.

I think you would be far better off with a nice warm wooden hutch.
 
Also when it comes to young children, you yourself need to be prepared to put the majority of work in, Guinea pigs need lots of handling and the more they are handled the more chance you have of your youngsters being able to handle them.

I know a friend of mine....my age 19, has a 2 year old daughter and every morning she handles the two piggies and lets her daughter stroke them, she sits her down and puts the piggies on her knee, shes very good, I guess you just need a calm, laidback piggie
 
I would be very wary of keeping them outside in a hutch all year round. Not only do you have predators to worry about but you have to think about the cold in the winter. With all the hutch huggers and hay in the world it will still be very cold for them and you can't bring them inside for cuddles as this has the potential to make them very ill. Can you see yourself and your daughter braving all weathers to handle them regularly outdoors? You've been given good advice above about the Eglu - they're one of the most overpriced, ugly and oven-like forms of accommodation out there. You could buy a huge hutch, a shed and heater for the price of one of those! In addition, be very aware that pets being stolen from gardens is becoming quite a big issue across the country.

Guinea pigs are great family pets but not children's pets. They have fragile bodies and a young child should never be allowed to pick one up. With a child as young as 5 the best plan would be to put the guinea pig on her lap and let her pet it. Again, is this something you are willing to do regularly in the winter? She can obviously help with cleaning and feeding.
 
daftscotslass said:
I would be very wary of keeping them outside in a hutch all year round. Not only do you have predators to worry about but you have to think about the cold in the winter. With all the hutch huggers and hay in the world it will still be very cold for them and you can't bring them inside for cuddles as this has the potential to make them very ill. Can you see yourself and your daughter braving all weathers to handle them regularly outdoors? You've been given good advice above about the Eglu - they're one of the most overpriced, ugly and oven-like forms of accommodation out there. You could buy a huge hutch, a shed and heater for the price of one of those! In addition, be very aware that pets being stolen from gardens is becoming quite a big issue across the country.

Guinea pigs are great family pets but not children's pets. They have fragile bodies and a young child should never be allowed to pick one up. With a child as young as 5 the best plan would be to put the guinea pig on her lap and let her pet it. Again, is this something you are willing to do regularly in the winter? She can obviously help with cleaning and feeding.
Click to expand...

I agree with you, I had my piggies in the winter, but I am generally the only one that handles them etc, and having them indoors is not an option due to my brothers allergy to pet hair.

I think a shed is a good idea, I keep mine in a shed and you have option of padlocking it etc, I think as long as you keep the welfare issue paramount you should be alright.

Afterall guineas were originally wild, so keeping them outside isnt an issue, Daftscotslass has made a good point, you dont want handling and upkeep to become an issue due to where you keep them as this can cause a lapse in care, so just really consider if before going ahead.
 
Hi Kel 22

I do not consider myself an expert but just wanted to share my experience. I have 2 daughters now 7 and 4 and have always kept pigs, the girls have been taught to respect them and indeed love them. My oldest daughter is able to pick them up and is very cautious and supervised. My youngest just has them on her lap and feeds them treats as to housing My pigs live in a purpose built sort of aviary 12' x 6' with an enclosed area that is weatherproofed so I do not bring mine in through the winter and I'm sure this option is more cost effective than the eglu. If you look at the run there is not a great deal of height whereas our aviary is also 6' high so i can stand fully upright when i go in to clean or play.

As per the rabbit suggestion, I also have 2 rabbits which I love but my children do not handle these, If a rabbit decides it wants to get down it can indeed hurt a child they are very powerful animals whereas although pigs can be skittish and hard to catch once they are on your lap they are quite content to sit there and be stroked.
 
Interesting thread. We have two guineas and until recently had a rabbit. (Got by a badger. :'() I agree with the first respondent that a child's gp needs constant adult supervision - but then surely all pets would at age 5?! I have to say that I have found piggies a far more suitable child's pet than a rabbit as rabbits can scratch etc.?

We got our piggies when my daughter was 4 and they have been a fabulous pet for her. Depends on your expectations i think. If you want something she can care for totally then at nearly 5 she will not manage gps - but I doubt anything else either! What she CAN do is handle them with supervision, help feed and care for them - just remember that YOU as the adult have responsibility for their welfare. (Am sure you know this!) My daughter is nearly 9 and is now totally capable of caring for them herself - I no longer check that she has fed, watered them etc. I just provide the treats and buy the food! She knows how to bathe them, clean them out (although occasionally needs reminding), feed them, play with etc and is a thoroughly competent piggie owner now. This has only happened in the last year though - and obviously will depend on the child. My daughter has been lucky that her teacher at school has class gps so it has all been reinforced there.

If you are happy to clean them out and supervise your daughter with them for a few years then I think they make great pets for children.!
 
Also - am I wrong to keep my piggies outside year round? We enjoy a mild climate where we live and I only bring ours in if I know the temp is dipping below freezing. They have always been fine, never ill - always seem happy and contented.

Do they not suffer from lack of light living in a shed? Ours have a two storey hutch outside with an attached run - and seem to love the freedom and space as well as a more natural habitat.

Do most of you keep youf piggies in then?
 
I kept my piggies outside in hutches years ago and they were fine. :) Now i have them in hutches in a "shed" theres plenty of natural light from the windows & door and on cold, rainy wintery days we're all toasty and warm. I don't relish cleaning anything out on a cold winters day :)
 
Hi and welcome to the forum :)

I would echo most of the posts here, I would avoid the Eglu like the plague for the reasons already given, and many rescues will not rehome if that is the accomodation.

I too am highly allergic to cats, rabbits and dog saliva, if I get licked, I get a nasty hot itchy rash (doesn't stop me loving 'them though!) but I have no problems with guinea fur (or licks!), however the hay is a big issue, but most of the time I try not to breathe close to it and have to immediately wash my hands and arms after handling, but sometimes it still gets me.

Is there any way you can keep the piggies indoors? A utility room, spare bedroom etc? If so, you may be able to consider a C&C cage, ideas are here: www.guineapigcages.com
As others have said, they need to come in in the cold months. I am from the Cornish coast and it's usually fairly mild, however the wind can be a big problem in dropping the temperature. Regarding foxes etc, if you have to keep them in a hutch outside for most of the year I would strongly recommend putting a good quality bolt on the hutch's doors, as foxes and cats have been known to swipe the usual feeble latches they come with.
 
Thanks for all your advice. I'm just not sure what to do now :(. We don't really have the room to keep them indoors. We do have a garage at the end of the garden, and a concrete out building (like an old outside loo) but that doesn't have a window. Are traditional hutches fox proof if you put a good bolt on them?

With regard to their care, I'm well aware that the majority of it will be done by me until my daughter is old enough to do it herself. I think it will be nice for her to have something to do outside instead of being glued to her DS lite!

Kelly ;)
 
The pigs are indeed a great distraction from the DS and if fitted with bolts hutches should be OK if in doubt it is relatively cheap and simple to buy wire and double mesh them to avoid the pos of a very keen fox pushing in
 
If i was keeping a guinea outdoors, they would definately need to go in an outhouse in the winter. If a car is kept in the garage it isn't suitable due to the fumes, which can kill a guinea. The old outdoor loo might be ok (had a similar thing in my old house!) - anything for protection.
If you wanted to keep them outside in the summer, yes you would need strong bolts on the doors, and agree with piggiesforever about double meshing the doors. Can you put them on an old table outside? My rabbit is in a hutch on a table, so he is high up (he likes looking out!) and this protects him a bit from foxes etc.

I would never recommend a rabbit for someone with young children, they require quite a bit of upkeep, and are much harder to handle than guineas.
 
Kel 22
The very fact that you found this forum prior to buying shows you are responsible and want to do your best by daughter and pets, Congratulations on that too many people purchase on a whim. Like I said mine do not come in in winter but do have an enclosed area where their hutches stand. You mentioned space was an issue and obviously I don't know about the size of your garden but aviary panels are relatively cheap and to keep cost down you can clad and insulate them yourself and for just 2 pigs you don't have to go as large as we did. I noticed someone earlier recommended a hamster I DO NOT recommend hamsters for small children!. They are instinctively nocturnal and thus no fun for children. Please do not be deterred pigs make absolutely fabulous pets and can warm the heart of most, My hubby was raised in Africa where animals small and large are deemed livestock but he wouldn't be without the piggies and much to my disgust they favour him over me and even nap on his chest. ( They just squeak at me for goodies and toss the dustpan when I'm cleaning them)
 
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