I want Guinea pigs- pros and cons?

[Dargonaxe]

Hi all, completely new here.
I would like to own some guinea pigs, I’ve only ever grown up with hamsters as small pets as my mum is terrified of rats and mice.
I’m coming up to my 21st birthday and a while back I asked my parents if I could get a new pet for my room. (Completely under my care and I would be paying for everything of course). Yesterday they told me I could get a hamster, which I am fine with but I would like to try something new and I have some got experience and knowledge of Guinea pigs from college (animal care).
What are some pros and some cons of Guinea pigs compared to hamsters? This way I could have a bit more of a compelling conversation with my parents.

Just to be clear, and because I’m not sure what this forum is like. I would never buy anything without my parents permission whilst I am living under their roof. Hence why I haven’t just bought them.

Thank you )

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I would start by reading the guides for new owners that we have on here. The first point is that piggies should not live alone, they are social animals so you will need at least 2. They need space, especially boys, minimum 2ft x 4ft for two but the more you can give the better. They are very much lovely animals and full of character but they aren't cheap either especially if they develop a health problem. An operation alone can cost several hundred pounds and there is only one insurer that provides guinea pig insurance, health problems always pick the worst moments - when you are waiting for pay day or bank holiday when the best vets are closed and my emergency vet costs £60 just to see them. In that respect the average lifespan of 6-8 years can be both good and bad, if you end up with a piggy with ongoing health problems you can be paying vet costs for its lifetime but on the plus side you have many years to develop and treasure the bond you share.

The one thing my colleagues at work tell me is that they had no idea guinea pigs were so interesting or full of character until I started talking about mine

 

[DM030819]

Hi @Dargonaxe. It's great that you're researching them first!

Guinea pigs are social creatures and so you would need a pair. Is that a viable option?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Just to highlight how expensive it can be, I have already spent £340 on my 3 in the first 5 months of this year

 

[DM030819]

Yep, they are quite expensive. I paid £54 yesterday just for some medicine. I didn't even see the vet.

 

[Betsy]

Hi and welcome to our friendly forum. It is a good idea to put a bit by each month for a "piggy fund" that way you can afford those expensive bills when they come in. My Christian has just had an op for a HUUUUUUUUGE abscess removal Don't know what to do about Christian..... which cost £100 plus and the costs are still going up and my "piggy fund" is almost depleted.

Guinea pigs are very shy and you have to give them time to get used to a new place. It takes lots of time, love and patience to tame them. I have had my 5 for over 2 years and they still are not keen on being picked up.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new piggies if you decide they are for you.

 

[LittleGems]

Hey,
Guinea pigs are MUCH more work then hamsters and need extra care as they can get ill quickly. Guinea pigs obviously need a bigger hutch which can be indoor or outdoors. However if you piggys will be outdoors they need toys and bedding to keep them warm. Also, GPs NEED to be kept in pairs or more , never alone. This should be the same sex or a nurtured boar (male pig) . Male and female pigs do not normally fight together, however they will breed if not neutered. GPs need a bigger and more interesting diet than hamsters to avoid any illnesses, this is things like Bell peppers , coriander,cucumber, any lettuce (NOT ICEBERG) parsley, carrots and much more
Please check out the guinea pig guides by pressing the button with three lines. Have fun x

 

[Dargonaxe]

Hi @Dargonaxe. It's great that you're researching them first!

Guinea pigs are social creatures and so you would need a pair. Is that a viable option?

Hi, thanks for your reply. I would absolutely be getting a pair. I do work from home, so I would be here to them company but I’d want them to be as happy as possible so a pair is a must for me.

 

[Dargonaxe]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I would start by reading the guides for new owners that we have on here. The first point is that piggies should not live alone, they are social animals so you will need at least 2. They need space, especially boys, minimum 2ft x 4ft for two but the more you can give the better. They are very much lovely animals and full of character but they aren't cheap either especially if they develop a health problem. An operation alone can cost several hundred pounds and there is only one insurer that provides guinea pig insurance, health problems always pick the worst moments - when you are waiting for pay day or bank holiday when the best vets are closed and my emergency vet costs £60 just to see them. In that respect the average lifespan of 6-8 years can be both good and bad, if you end up with a piggy with ongoing health problems you can be paying vet costs for its lifetime but on the plus side you have many years to develop and treasure the bond you share.

The one thing my colleagues at work tell me is that they had no idea guinea pigs were so interesting or full of character until I started talking about mine

Thank you so much for your reply, extremely detailed! I would 100% be getting them in a pair. I have been measuring the area that I would place them and I’m looking at about 5ftx3ft. Of course, if my parents say they’re happy with me getting them. I imagined medical bills would be expensive. I have a “rainy day” fund that I would be using. I have been paying for my pet bills since I turned 16 so I’m always prepared for any issues that arise. Plus I have a fantastic vet

 

[Dargonaxe]

Hey,
Guinea pigs are MUCH more work then hamsters and need extra care as they can get ill quickly. Guinea pigs obviously need a bigger hutch which can be indoor or outdoors. However if you piggys will be outdoors they need toys and bedding to keep them warm. Also, GPs NEED to be kept in pairs or more , never alone. This should be the same sex or a nurtured boar (male pig) . Male and female pigs do not normally fight together, however they will breed if not neutered. GPs need a bigger and more interesting diet than hamsters to avoid any illnesses, this is things like Bell peppers , coriander,cucumber, any lettuce (NOT ICEBERG) parsley, carrots and much more
Please check out the guinea pig guides by pressing the button with three lines. Have fun x

Thank you very much! I will more than likely be getting a same sex pair. I’m going to Ben keeping them indoors as foxes have a tendancy to get into the garden and I wouldn’t want to risk that. I’m looking to fit a 5ftx3ft cage (not a cage, wooden area but I don’t know the name of it lol. Planning on getting my partners dad to help me build one so the measurements are exact)

Thank you for letting me know about the diet. I did know that it consists of lots of veggies but I was planning to look into that a bit more

 

[Dargonaxe]

Hi and welcome to our friendly forum. It is a good idea to put a bit by each month for a "piggy fund" that way you can afford those expensive bills when they come in. My Christian has just had an op for a HUUUUUUUUGE abscess removal Don't know what to do about Christian..... which cost £100 plus and the costs are still going up and my "piggy fund" is almost depleted.

Guinea pigs are very shy and you have to give them time to get used to a new place. It takes lots of time, love and patience to tame them. I have had my 5 for over 2 years and they still are not keen on being picked up.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new piggies if you decide they are for you.

Thank you for the reply, I have a rainy day fund already and I’m still building up. I’ve been using this fund since I was 16 on any unexpected medical bills for the animals. It may be a while before I get any Guinea pigs as I’m looking at building a home for them rather than buying a cage that would Ben way too small! But ignore my parents say yes and I get them, I will absolutely be posting photos of them!

 

[Lady Kelly]

Thank you so much for your reply, extremely detailed! I would 100% be getting them in a pair. I have been measuring the area that I would place them and I’m looking at about 5ftx3ft. Of course, if my parents say they’re happy with me getting them. I imagined medical bills would be expensive. I have a “rainy day” fund that I would be using. I have been paying for my pet bills since I turned 16 so I’m always prepared for any issues that arise. Plus I have a fantastic vet

That's excellent. A lot of people aren't aware of potential costs so I don't tend to sugar coat it as people need to be aware of what could potentially happen. On the plus side if your vet is particularly knowledgeable with piggies then you have hit the jackpot cos finding a good vet is often difficult

 

[Guineautopia]

Hi, already some amazing advice given.
I’ll just add that I also got my very first Guineas pigs when I was 19 (long long time ago) and living with my parents. When I went on holiday or just away for the night, they would look after them for me but once I left home and moved an hour away.....well it’s something to consider.
Guinea Pigs live a long time, maybe even 10 years if you are lucky. So it’s a big commitment and It’s good to think about who would look after them when your away.

 

[VickiA]

It’s great that you are doing your research so that there are no hidden surprises for you. A same sex pair is best or a neutered boar and sow pair. If these are your first ever piggies then in terms of sourcing them I would wholeheartedly recommend going to a rescue where the piggies have been health checked (so many are sold by pet shops and breeders with many ailments such as skin conditions and infections); properly sexed (just check the pregnancy section for all the folk dealing with the results of Mis-sexed piggies sold by pet shops) and properly bonded.

I would not underestimate the importance of ensuring a proper bond. If you buy from a pet shop or breeder, although they may be from the same litter there is no guarantee they will get on as they grow older. Many piggies (especially boars) will have a bust up as they hit their teenage hormones and often have to be separated permanently. Slightly more mature piggies from rescues have often been bonded at the rescue and the rescue will have observed their behaviour. They will ensure you have a well bonded stable pairing.

As to whether boars/sows/neutered boar sow pair, well I think it all depends which piggies steal your heart. Both boars and sows have their individual,behaviours that can be challenging so it’s pretty evenly balanced if you adopt older piggies. However boars do need some extra handling and checking of their manly bits to keep everything healthy. So if your prefer to avoid that, then sows are more likely for you.

If you check the rescue locator it will give you info as you approved rescues in geographical areas to help you find the right rescue. Whereabouts are you based?

 

[Dargonaxe]

Hi, already some amazing advice given.
I’ll just add that I also got my very first Guineas pigs when I was 19 (long long time ago) and living with my parents. When I went on holiday or just away for the night, they would look after them for me but once I left home and moved an hour away.....well it’s something to consider.
Guinea Pigs live a long time, maybe even 10 years if you are lucky. So it’s a big commitment and It’s good to think about who would look after them when your away.

I’m not a massive fan of going away if I’m honest The closest I’d have to going away would be house sitting for my partners parents for a few weeks so I would be looking into taking them with me

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
I see you have been given tons of good advice and recommended reading so I'm not going to add to that.
I will just say that I kept hamsters for many years - they fitted in well with my life and I could care for them properly.
I fell in love with 2 unwanted guinea pigs about 7/8 years ago and having had guinea pigs as a child I always loved them as pets.
It did come as a bit of a shock to discover how much work and how expensive they are compared to the hamsters.
I wouldn't trade my piggies for anything and if you have the time, space, money and commitment they are the most wonderful pets on the planet.

 

[Dargonaxe]

It’s great that you are doing your research so that there are no hidden surprises for you. A same sex pair is best or a neutered boar and sow pair. If these are your first ever piggies then in terms of sourcing them I would wholeheartedly recommend going to a rescue where the piggies have been health checked (so many are sold by pet shops and breeders with many ailments such as skin conditions and infections); properly sexed (just check the pregnancy section for all the folk dealing with the results of Mis-sexed piggies sold by pet shops) and properly bonded.

I would not underestimate the importance of ensuring a proper bond. If you buy from a pet shop or breeder, although they may be from the same litter there is no guarantee they will get on as they grow older. Many piggies (especially boars) will have a bust up as they hit their teenage hormones and often have to be separated permanently. Slightly more mature piggies from rescues have often been bonded at the rescue and the rescue will have observed their behaviour. They will ensure you have a well bonded stable pairing.

As to whether boars/sows/neutered boar sow pair, well I think it all depends which piggies steal your heart. Both boars and sows have their individual,behaviours that can be challenging so it’s pretty evenly balanced if you adopt older piggies. However boars do need some extra handling and checking of their manly bits to keep everything healthy. So if your prefer to avoid that, then sows are more likely for you.

If you check the rescue locator it will give you info as you approved rescues in geographical areas to help you find the right rescue. Whereabouts are you based?

I was hoping to get them from a rescue. The pets shops where I am don’t seem to have a decent set up for them. I’m based in Kent/south east London. We have a local rescue centre here and they’re not fantastic but I’ve never seen them have Guinea pigs. A lot of rabbits though!

 

[Betsy]

Have a look at the Rescue Locator at the the top of the page for recommended rescues. There should be some near you.

 

[Dargonaxe]

Brilliant, thank you there’s one probably a 30 minute drive from my house!

 

[fanniephina]

Hi, welcome to the forum! The best place to get thoughts and advice is here. You seem to have done tons of research for this decision and I really commend you for that.

I'm still fairly new to guinea pig ownership-I never knew how much fun and love these little ones are capable of. Had I known, I would have started a long time ago. You have all the facts about costs, time and space but, if you're ready, these little babies can give really tons of life to any loving owner. My daughter is only 17, she does get allowance but she is also a very responsible person and really mature for her age. She has a lot of time to give and her guinea pigs are her best friends and life. She has two boars now and I trust her completely. We recently relocated here and she has made fast friends with a neighbor but actually plays with her boars with her friend. When he gets tired of it, she tells him clearly that she wants to have time with her Tybalt and Pumpkin and send him home packing. While my little girls are my loves, I can say the boars my daughter has are her bests friends and life. They were a compromise for us in our new home and she was really wanting a cat but she has changed and is so happy with these guys. My husband and I both are happy to see her with them and how happy they make her while my having them also is an extra bond for us. Even my husband is part of helping with their cages and care. These little ones give so much that I truly feel pretty thankful for them, despite the cost and extra.

I don't know much about hamsters but I think they also can be very nice little pets. I had thought about them as well for my daughter at first. I just thought she needed more interaction and this is something we had read was more with guinea pigs. You already know the cons and seem to have a good plan. Keep us up on whatever you decide! would love pics of whichever pet you bring home.

Just wanting to add that you can involve your parents as they have given permission. I wasn't keen on guinea pigs but my daughter got me involved and it's really something hubby and I both share with her.

 

[Dargonaxe]

Thank you for your reply, it’s nice to hear it from a parental point of view. My dad has always said he would love Guinea pigs but we never got them for some reason. Instead he got chickens, who are no longer with us. I moved onto wanting Guinea pigs after realising that I am home all day as I work from home and that most hamsters are nocturnal. I loved all of my previous hamsters but they were all a bit of a pain when it came to escaping! I know for a fact that if they allowed me to get them my parents would be in love with them. But it’s a matter of convincing them first!

 

[Dargonaxe]

A few hours after writing this post and building up the courage to ask my mum. Really I was just waiting for a moment that my dad wasn’t around.

I asked and she instantly said no. But I’m not one to back down without an explanation. I explained to her all of the pros and cons that everyone has commented and the advice and tips and she seemed to lighten up.

She said she would think about it. Which is way better than a no. When she also mentioned as she was walking away that my dad has always wanted guinea pigs.

I’ve still got to get a yes but I’m one step closer! Thank you everybody! If anyone else has any tips or fun facts that could help me and help me convince my parents that would be fantastic. I’ll keep you all updated

 

[Posyrose]

So you've heard all the bad stuff - vet bills and the worry of looking after a sick piggie, but there are loads of fantastic things about guineas.

I haven't got that much experience with hamsters but I've always found them quite hard to handle. My guinea pigs have always been (or at least become) very tame. Not all piggies are lap piggies but mine have loved cuddles and been very happy to spend time with me on the sofa; I think they are easier to interact with than hamsters.

Then there's their cute noises and antics. They communicate with you and each other all the time and it's easy to learn how to interpret what they are 'saying' with help from the forum and experience. Some of the members on here have got rid of their tellies because their piggies are so entertaining. I just watch with my piggies

Oh and there's the other benefit that you will never have to mow your lawn if you have a guinea pig run on the grass!

 

[anyar.dris]

So glad that you are researching everything first before getting guinea pigs. Plenty have just had the impulse of getting them without the proper knowledge and then the piggies were the ones to suffer.

Anyway, there is a section here you can look at about the housing whether C&C, custom built or ready to buy housing. You can scan through them and you can get an idea what's best for you and the piggies. I have a regular 2-floor rabbit hutch with an attached C&C cage at the bottom. My piggies also roam freely in our living room. The bigger the space, the better for their well being and you will definitely see how happy they are.

 

[Pigwhisperer]

We went from hamsters to guinea pigs too and did LOTS of research in between.

I'd agree with what everyone else has said about everything being MORE - more cleaning out, more money (weekly and for vets), but more cuddles, a longer lifespan, more interaction.

The most difficult thing in comparison has been going on holiday - a hamster in a cage is easy to hand over to someone else, but guinea pigs are not so simple.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, completely new here.
I would like to own some guinea pigs, I’ve only ever grown up with hamsters as small pets as my mum is terrified of rats and mice.
I’m coming up to my 21st birthday and a while back I asked my parents if I could get a new pet for my room. (Completely under my care and I would be paying for everything of course). Yesterday they told me I could get a hamster, which I am fine with but I would like to try something new and I have some got experience and knowledge of Guinea pigs from college (animal care).
What are some pros and some cons of Guinea pigs compared to hamsters? This way I could have a bit more of a compelling conversation with my parents.

Just to be clear, and because I’m not sure what this forum is like. I would never buy anything without my parents permission whilst I am living under their roof. Hence why I haven’t just bought them.

Thank you )

Hi and welcome

You may find our wannabe owners' guide collection hopefully very helpful; it should answer most of your your questions! Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - A Guide

Please be aware the guinea pigs are ground roaming group animals; they should not be kept alone and they need as much space as you can afford; the welfare miminum is 2x4 ft for a pair. They do not climb or nest, but they love to run, popcorn (exactly like that, especially youngsters) and to burrow in a soft pile of hay. Hay is also their main food; it should make up to 80% of the daily food intake.

The safest place to get guinea pigs from is one of our recommended good standard rescues, which all practice a mandatory quarantine/vet care plus a pregnancy watch for incoming sows. Their pairs are carefully matched to allow for character compatibility which is the key for a successful and long term stable pairing. Going good rescue (please note that anybody in the English speaking world can call themselves a rescue or breeder without licence or any supervision/control) allows you to avoid all the usual pitfalls that await the unwary (things like ringworm, mange mites, respiratory infection; mis-sexed piggies and unplanned pregnancies or fighting teenage boars); you also have the rescue to fall back on if you can no longer keep your piggies.

Guinea pigs live for about 5-7 years unless they develop a serious medical condition, but they can live for longer.
You are very likely to require vet care at some point, which you need to factor into the regular upkeep cost as a major illness can quickly run into several 100 dollars or pounds. Since there is little in terms of insurance for small furries, it is usually best to save up in 'piggy bank' fund for any emergencies, operations or costly treatment right from the start.

Guinea pigs are most active in the mornings and evenings, but potter around throughout the day or night; adults are usually browsing quietly during that time.

If you want an easy start to see whether piggies are really for you, I would recommend to start with an adult pair that is used to handling, comfortable with who they are and very willing to enjoy a loving home and to teach you about the fascinating world of piggydom rather than having to start with getting some wiggly youngsters that have not had any real human interaction in the first place and then having to get them through the hormonal teenage months, which can be rather stressful. Babies are cute for only a few weeks, teenagers for several months and adults for most of their lives.

Older piggies are also less vocal and boisterous, which would likely make them a lot more acceptable to your parents. A middle aged pair can still easily live double as long as a hamster and there is less nighttime activity, which might be an argument in favour of guinea pigs.

You can find more detailed information including links to rescues in several countries you are in perfectly safe hands with in our guide collection.
I would also recommend to have a look at our C&C cage members' gallery to see how cage solutions can look like; best start from the latest cages at the back. Member Gallery: C&C cages/homemade cages

You are welcome to ask any questions you may have, and we will do our best to answer them honestly.
While we all love our piggies, it is important that you know what you are getting into and are committed, including getting your parents on your side. The last thing we want is to contribute to the growing flood of no longer wanted pets!

It is great that you are doing your research. Please make sure that your parents are willing to look after them if you are on holiday. Some rescues also offer holiday boarding for adoptees.

 

[Sue and Smartie]

I read that you work from home - one 'con' that you may not have thought of is how distracting guinea pigs can be. You can lose hours
But I should think that everyone on here would agree that the pros outweigh the cons - we are biased here, though!

 

[Wiebke]

I read that you work from home - one 'con' that you may not have thought of is how distracting guinea pigs can be. You can lose hours
But I should think that everyone on here would agree that the pros outweigh the cons - we are biased here, though!

I work from home, too, but I find that as guinea pigs are crepuscular (i.e. most active in the mornings and evenings) I can work well around them.

 

[Flutterby]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

 

[Reenie]

I've always said that keeping guinea pigs is more akin to keeping snakes than to keeping hamsters, as there is so much more to think about, and they really are exotic pets (and many vets charge as such); they are also about 5x the size of hamsters. The things that will sell them to your parents - well...some piggies can be as friendly as dogs. They can (and should) be let out of their cage to run around a suitably protected room (hard floor best, in case of accidents), and become part of the family in a way few small pets can. They will very quickly learn their routine, and at feeding time, or in fact, any time you open the fridge, open a plastic bag or move, they will wheek at you and come running, paws up on the cage yelling at you to feed them. They have very distinctive little characters, with some being more friendly than others. Some like a cuddle, some don't. I seldom cuddle mine, but sit in their cage, and they jump up on my knee to be hand-fed treats (I cheat and use their nuggets, and they haven't noticed the difference). If you get yours from a rescue, you should be able to judge their personalities. Piggies seldom bite (there's a section on when it might happen) None of mine have ever bitten anyone - although Groucho does like to pull at your clothes, and if you have a scooped neckline, he'll just pull your skin instead, which feels like being pricked with needles!

I have 5, and they can be quite expensive to feed in winter when you need to buy all your veggies, but in summer, I feed mine almost exclusively with grass, dandelions, strawberry leaves, fruit bush leaves etc. etc., so it is much cheaper. (Always having at least 80% hay- but hay is relatively cheap)

I've been very lucky, in that none of mine have ever been ill (touch wood) so only had a few check-ups to pay for so far.

I hope you talk them into it - why not show them some videos from YouTube of super friendly piggies (your parents aren't to know that they're not all as friendly as that. lol)