Hi and welcome to this great forum!
My piggies don't make a lot of noise, a content piggie will coo and wheek, a hungry piggie can wheek quite loudly ;D but on the whole they are quiet piggies.
They don't smell if you clean them out regularly. My mum came to visit today, first time since I have brought my piggie indoors into a cage instead of the hutch inside, she asked me if they smell...I just asked her 'well did you smell them when you walked in the door?' and she replied no.
You and a friend are getting one...is this one between you and your friend? Who will be owning it outright? Or is this you are both getting one?
Most people will advise that guinea pigs should be kept in pairs at least so if you are going to have a guinea pig as a pet, you're best to get 2. So if you are going to get one each, then you are best to get 2 each.
You need to have plenty of room for them, minimum size cage for 2 piggies is 4ft x 2ft. They wll also need room either in an outdoor run or indoors on the floor so they can run about and get some exercise.
They need plenty of fresh veggies, unlimited hay, dried food/pellets. Looking after for health problems etc etc.
Think and research before oyu get guinea pigs...this is talking from experience..I just took in a guinea pig that was looking for a new home and have learnt very fast about them and there is still lots of things I don't know.
If all this puts you off and you want 1 animal that lives by itself, doesn't make a noise and doesn't smell..then try a hamster. They can lvie alone and in a smaller size cage. Only time they make a noise is if they are running in their wheel. Eat dried hamster food and drink water with occassional fruit/veg treats.
