Why Did You Choose Guinea Pigs As Your Pets?

[Kallasia]

I've been trying to explain to my parents why guinea pigs are clearly the best pets but they're not so sure. Anyway, it got me thinking, what actually drew me to them in the first place?

In honesty, I don't really know. I'd never encountered a guinea pig before I saw one in a pet shop and decided I must adopt these strange fluffy potatoes from a rescue centre.

Then I became obsessed. But I didn't know about all the excellent qualities as pets that they possess until I already had them!

So I wanted to know why did you choose guinea pigs as pets?

 

[Tim]

I blame my sister
I remember cuddling Ben and Simon (we renamed them Dougal and Zebedee) and they instantly started licking me and making happy noises. I was hooked! It's the appreciation they (sometimes!) give back to you, their smell, their coats, their demand for food 24/7, gotta love them!

 

[sport_billy]

@Mrs Sport_Billy nagged me for years for them.... I relented, then two of the cutest things ever arrived in my life.... Our two first piggies in my avatar Pitch & Putt.

When we got them we knew absolutely nothing about them..

 

[Flutterby]

I didn't! We had some from a friend temporarily, they never left!

 

[Reenie]

I volunteer in an animal sanctuary which has loads of guineas (as well as loads of other animals. I started fostering some to get them used to being handled, and loved them so much I wanted some of my own.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I cant say why but I have loved them for as long as i can remember. When I was little I used to beg my parents for one, year after year. Eventually when I was 12 and having proved i could look after gerbils, I was allowed my first piggy and instantly became addicted.
After leaving home pigs were then no longer a part of my life for a good number of years. Then a strange thing started to happen. I started to have bad dreams about my childhood pigs, in which I would visit my old home and realise i hadnt been out to feed them in like years,. It was such a horrible feeling I decided it was time to bring piggies back into my life and havent had a bad dream about them since!

 

[Kylie80]

I never actually considered having guinea pigs as a pet, i'm/was completely a cat person but when my cat of 18 years died last year I found myself not being able to contemplate having another cat and just by chance (more like my partner dragged me) I saw my two piggies in a pet shop (because I had no idea rescues existed) and had a cuddle and wasn't able to put them back. I have not regretted my decision and love my little terrors to bits.

 

[Antonio R.]

Two reasons: When I was a little kid I always wanted a hamster, or any other little animal like that, my parents always said no, so I promised myself I would allow my child to have one if he/she ever asked.
Then, a couple of months ago, we went to my wife's uncle's farm and stayed there for a while. My daughter (two years old) fell I love with all the little critters over there (rabbits, chickens, ducklings), so I decided to buy her a critter (she really didn't ask).
Two weeks ago a walked in front of a pet shop in a mall, so I decided to buy the critter (without telling the missus, she is nota pet person). I went in and they had a chinchilla and some piggies. The chinchilla was too expensive, I got a piggie.
Then I read piggies don't like to be alone, so next day I got another one.
Now, funny thing, I found out they're a lot of job. I spend one hour a day cleaning their cage, preparing their food, seeing they're OK. But what the hell, they're cute and my daughter loves them. And I've been reading a lot about them, so, by now I think I know all I need to keep them healthy and happy, although they are still too jumpy, and don't trust me that much. They've also have popped and peed on me a bunch of times already.
So, that's my story, lol.

 

[Betsy]

As a child I was never allowed pets. When I grew up and had children we had hamsters and a couple of male piggies as I had always wanted them. Then about a year ago my OH suggested ( he now denies a this)we got gps again so I got 2 girlies which ended up as 5 thanks to a surprise shop litter. I have always wanted piggies again as they as such lovely animals with their little squeaks and wheaks! And they tell you off too if food is late!