General Questions

[Julia25]

I am thinking of getting myself a pair or trio of guinea pigs. I have had rabbits in the past however they lived outside and they took a lot of effort to care for and ate a lot!
I understand rabbits and guinea pig are very different but i have a few questions.

Do guinea pigs like to have human interaction or are affectionate? (Rabbits i have had always like a pet)
Are they healthy? I understand that they are sturdy small animals that don't have many health problems unlike rabbits who are prone to a lot more illness.
Do they eat a lot? I know you have to feed vegetables due to them not producing enough Vitamin C but do they eat lots and how much does it cost on a monthly basis.

 

[Sue and Smartie]

Guinea pigs also eat a lot - they also wee a lot so need cleaning out often.
Some are people pigs, and some are not.
I've had very tame guinea pigs before, and ones who have come here having had little human contact. They tame down quicker if they are kept inside where they see people a lot. They all soon learn the sound of the fridge door opening
I have never worked out how much it costs me to keep my pets - I think that would be a bit scary! It's less for the pigs once spring arrives as I can forage for fresh food in the garden and hedgerow, but even then I still spend at least £5 a week on fresh veg for them. Then there is the cost of dry food, and hay. I use hay for bedding so that's a fair bit
You will avoid many health issues by feeding a good diet and keeping their environment clean but all animals can get ill. I've been keeping pigs for over ten years now and all of them have had to see the vet at some point in their lives. Mainly for small things like mites, or skin conditions, for which the bills were not much at all. But last year Panda had an operation to remove a bladder stone and that was over £300. The other issue is finding a good vet, not many have a lot of experience with pigs.

I've also kept rabbits before and on the whole I think pigs are more my thing. Just be warned though, they really become addictive

 

[Maddy]

I havent added up how much it would cost me to keep chock iether but i think its quite a lot over a year...
I also have a vet fund incase of illness or medication payments if needed
This is a good idea to do if you have pigs as vet bills can be really costly

 

[Kit06]

In my experience rabbits are a lot easier than guinea pigs! Guineas can't be toilet trained like rabbits so there's more cleaning out to do. Guineas have a wider range of veggies (my rabbits just have small amounts of herbs to eat whereas the piggies get a huge selection of veggies every day). Guineas are more prone to skin conditions e.g. I've had piggies with fungal problems and mite problems but my rabbits have never had any problems. They are also more delicate when it comes to temperature e.g. my rabbits live outside with no problems all year whereas my piggies are in a heated garage with snugglepads in the winter and fleece beds etc. All in all they cost me more than the rabbits. I wouldn't have it any other way though as I prefer them as pets (don't tell my rabbits!). I love the interaction you get with them, their wheeking, and they are easier to handle and have sit on your knee than the rabbits but they are definitely not an easier/cheaper option as a pet!

 

[Maddy]

I agree with the above poster that guinea pigs are pretty costly pets over all but well worth it...Glad your doing your asking before getting them instead of getting them then asking questions and having to get rid of them because you cant keep up with the cost and that would be heart braking especially if you'd become atatched to them

 

[Maddy]

I love having my guinea pig very much
I'd be lost with out him...

 

[VickiA]

We have plenty of information in the wannabe owners threads. Here is a link to the useful bundle of threads. Quick Information Bundle For Wannabe Owners

Are you thinking of girls or boys? Please be aware that boar trios are considered to be the least stable grouping due to dominance issues. Even with sows a trio can be problematic. Do you live near one of our recommended rescues? If so that is a good place to adopt a well bonded, health checked, well handled and properly sexed pair or group of piggies.

I've never been able to little train my piggies so cleaning out is more time consuming than it is with bunnies. In terms of. health issues I've spent a small fortune over the years on my piggies, but the same has also applied to now sadly deceased house rabbit. Any animal can become poorly or have an accident or injury.

I'm truly hooked on piggies these days but bunnies certainly have their attraction, too. Piggies have the advantage of their fascinating vocal range which bunnies sadly lack, although my bun had a superb warning growl that my piggies have never mastered!

Most of my piggies have enjoyed human interaction. In my experience the ones from rescues have been well handled and expect a degree of intimacy with you. Pet shop piggies can be more shy or fearful if they've had a scare, but most piggies will settle and respond once they have had time to settle and to feel safe.

 

[BertisKing]

I have managed to litter train most of my piggies (Though to be fair they did most of it themselves) so cleaning out isn't too bad- they do all their wee's in the toilet so it's just a case of a quick poo pick a couple of times a day- I use a hand held hoover which the pigs don't seem bothered by.
By my calculations I spend around £70 a month on hay, nuggets and veg- though I do have 15 piggies!
I also put aside money each month into my vet fund- touch wood I've not had to use it much but it's good to know there's always something there just in case- I've been very luck with my lot health wise, but I know others on the forum have had a lot of issues to deal with.

As others have said, all piggies are different- my two oldest boys would happily lie on your lap all evening dozing, while another of my boars would rather spend his time sprinting back and forth across the settee, using me as a climbing frame and chasing my feet around the room, but will never settle down with me for a cuddle. As @Sue and Smartie said, some are people pigs and some aren't.

I had rabbits growing up and always planned to keep them again, then the first piggies arrived and I was hooked on the noises- being greeted by those lovely loud demanding wheeks always makes my day!

 

[Freela]

I'm not sure that guinea pigs are that much easier/cheaper than rabbits. I spend a decent amount on food and bedding in a year... I've never really added it up, but it would probably be depressing if I did! I've also had one pig in particular who really ran up the vet expenses... she had a lot of problems and required long-term meds. However, I think with any pet you run the risk of dealing with an ongoing issue. Guinea pigs and rabbits actually aren't too dissimilar in terms of typical problems, like dental and abscesses.

That said, for the pros- my pigs are very friendly and social and affectionate. They all have their own little personalities. The two we have right now, one is a big lazy lap pig who will sleep on our knee. The other is less relaxed, but 'chats' and gives kisses all the time and is a very sweet girl. My pigs are not litter trained in the cage (i.e. they do not use a specific corner) but they are litter trained as far as not peeing or pooping on the floor. They have access to the cage and will go back in the cage to go to the bathroom, though I didn't really teach them that. My first dominant girl, Linney, taught herself and the other pigs seemed to follow her lead and I've found when I introduce newbies they just pick it up as a behavior they learned from the pig-in-residence.

I'm probably biased in that I've never owned a rabbit, but my high school bestie had one for years and a close friend has one currently, and I honestly find my pigs to be more affectionate and personable as far as wanting human interaction than the rabbits I've known (although I know there are some great rabbits out there too, don't get me wrong!) But my pigs have all 'wanted' human company and are happy to spend time with me whenever I want, whereas the rabbits I know are more like cats who want affection on their own timetables!

 

[Maddy]

I've noticed that pigs are more sociable than rabbets as well
I know rabbets have their own personalities too but i prefer pigs to rabbets...
Chocks got a lot of love to give...
He has a cheeky side to him as well so it means he has spirit at least thats my excuse
I havent had to go in to my vet fund iether so thats good as Chock's not had any health issues so far so i've been lucky

 

[madguinealady]

I have a rabbit that comes to you for cuddles and will snuggle in as long as you want him to.One of my piggies doesn't mind cuddles.My piggies are harder work than the bunnies .I have had rabbits of differing temperaments and same with piggies.