Guinea Pigs?!

[GuineaPigFan28]

I've never had a guinea pig before and I really want a pet for my birthday. I have had 3 hamsters and I really didnt like them, mostly because of all their biting etc. I'm really scared of pets biting now but would love one still and thought maybe guinea pigs would be a good idea? I looked at rats (in love with them! :smitten but my parents have this "phobia" and wont have anything "yucky" or "vermin"....
Because I'm new to the whole guinea pig thing I have no idea about them to be honest :embarassed:!
I am researching as we speak though! ;D
But I do have a few questions...
Should I get more than one?
What gender for a first time piggy owner?
Can I keep them in my room?
Will my cat eat them?! :o
Friends of mine had guinea pigs but to be honest they werent exactly commited and theirs are quite evil little monsters...I was brushing one once and she bit me :'(
I put this down to bad socialising and am still up for getting one! ;D
Any info or tips would be great! Thanks!
x

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

They are herd animals so they do like company and should have a friend to live with. As far as gender is concerned, I don't think it really matters. It's said that boars are more outgoing than sows but I've only ever had boars so I can't really comment!

You can keep them in your room - I know there are people on here that have them in their rooms. They lasted one night in mine and were then moved downstairs because of the noise! You'd be looking at a 4 foot by 2 foot cage for two piggies though, so make sure you have room!

Your cat, given half a chance would attack the pigs (as a general rule) so they shouldn't be left unattended where the cat might be.

Today isn't the best day to be asking me about biting (it was my own fault, I stuck my hand between two of them arguing...). I do have a piggy who bites, but only if I try to pick him up because he doesn't like it. Otherwise, he gives me piggy kisses when he licks my hand! Piggies will only bite in defense if they are scared or don't like something such as they way they are being held etc.

I'm sure there are more experienced piggy owners here that can give better advice, but my first two were smooth coated guineas which, in my opinion are easier to look after than the longer haired breeds. But, then that will depend on how much time you will have spare to look after them!

 

[Kimmy619]

I have had hamsters and guinea pigs and love both types as pets. I have never received a bite from one of my pigs (touch wood!) and I get so much pleasure from them. They are really affectionate and when I come in to the house after work they chortle as they are pleased to see me! I have only had males and they are great. Mine live in the house mainly too which is fine. They do have a big area to play in. In the summer I put them out on the grass as it is nice for them to have a change of scenery and smells. They are really easy to handle too if you are a bit nervous?!

 

[teadragon]

Should I get more than one?
Absolutely, guinea pigs are social animals so the only set up that shouldn't be considered is one piggy, it's also interesting to watch how they co-exist together and mingle and bond and snuggle together. The best pair is a neutered boar with a sow (ideally.) however girl-pairs and boy-pairs can also work out. For some reason, with the latter, some people seem to have more problems than others with pairing two boys together, generally an older-boy-younger-boy pairing is recommended although when the younger boy grows up there can be conflict. Check out this site: www.guinealynx.info

What gender for a first time piggy owner?
It's up to you. My first piggies were two boys (younger to older boars) and I learned a lot from them. Some people prefer the docile, social natures of girls (though some are moody while in season) and others prefer the high characters of a rumbling boy. I'm partial to boys, but, like I've said, I've always owned boys and only owned boys. I have a friend with a herd of girls and a single boy and she prefers her girls - but she's had her girls longer.

Can I keep them in my room?
Yep. Keep them well cleaned out and they shouldn't smell too much. I wouldn't recommend them being in your room if you're allergic to hay, though, since guinea pigs require an unlimited supply.

Will my cat eat them?!
Some cats will, others not so much. It depends on your cat but generally yes. A guinea pig is a squeeking, feeing, running little cavy-rodent type creature. A cat is a hunter-prey animal. They mix like a good dinner party. Keep your piggie safe from your cat, don't let them play together and make sure your guinea pig cage is cat-proof.
www.guineapigcages.com (for more info)

Friends of mine had guinea pigs but to be honest they werent exactly commited and theirs are quite evil little monsters...I was brushing one once and she bit me Cry
I put this down to bad socialising and am still up for getting one!
It's good that you weren't put off by that experience. Generally a guinea pigs skin is extremely sensitive, I've been bitten by my sweetest boy who had long hair, but I tugged on a knott too hard while in a daze and he was letting me know that it damned hurt! Remember when you get your new piggies to handle them little and often and allow them to realise that your hands aren't there to hurt, but something to look forward to -- they hold food and cuddles and omgz-being lifted means going somewhere good!

Any info or tips would be great! Thanks!

Good luck! Have a look at our rescue thread to see if you can find a local rescue piggie nearby you can offer a home too. There's a sense of satisfaction in giving a homeless animal a home and the rescue will be able to provide an infinite amount of support while you get yourself started.

Welcome to the addiction that is guinea pigs!

 

[jnenbnb]

Hi yes get two, boys are more laid back and lazy, girls are nuts! if you wants ones to cuddle get boars, ones to watch get girls but wither are great there isnt that much difference! girls are less likely to fight than boys, its rare for girls to fall out

you could keep them in your room but they need 4foot by 2foot space for two piggies, a savic nero4 would be good.

My cat would probably eat my pigs given the chance but i keep him away just incase!

Pigs are different to hamsters, they're not nocturnal so will be up and about when you are and they're generally more handlable and very rarely bite, they nibble on your fingers sometimes or lick you but that's cute!

xxxxx

 

[Lez]

perfectly fine to have them in your bedroom O0 i have 4 in my bedroom! my room is taken up with cages ;D

 

[sianieJ]

If your lucky a rescue my have a mr and mrs so you can have the joy of both like me!
My boy loves his cuddles and kisses where as my girl just loves being free to jump and climb and poo ;D

 

[Anne-Marie]

Can I keep them in my room?

My guinea pigs are in my room and are no problem BUT gizmo is very sensetive and was wheezing alot after alot of trips to the vet we narrowed it down to him be not liking my deodrant and me dusting with a spray (the other guinea pig was fine with it)
so i now use a roll on depdrant and bought one of them dusters that trap the dust so don't need to spray and he has been fine now for 3 months!
Just somethin else to think of
(p.s they do make noise but i'm a heavy sleeper lol)

 

[starla]

they do bang about at night - kept me awake a couple of times ;D they don't live in my room any longer, that was just when they were babies :smitten:
Guinea pigs don't bite as a rule, unless they are in pain or you do something extreme to upset them! They have very docile temperments.
Boys or girls are great, I think the best combination is a neutered boy and girl. Because males have to be 6 months old to be neutered you'd obviously need to go to a rescue to get them. I have a very difficult female who couldn't live with other sows, placed her with a neutered boar and they get on fab!
One thing to add is they need more time out of their cage than hamsters - you can put them on your floor for exercise (providing there are no holes to get stuck in, or wires to chew). In the summer they can go on your lawn in a secure run.