Are guinea pigs good pets for a 12 year old (with parent help)?

Question

Are guinea pigs good pets for a 12 year old?

Answer 1

Yeah! I had two guinea pigs when I was about 13. They were great pets! Just make sure they get along with each other first. Mine didn't like each other, so they ended up is seperate cages.

Also, consider a rabbit. I got a rabbit when I was 5 and she passed away about two years ago. She was almost 12 years old! She was the sweetest, most loving animal I've ever had. Rabbits make wonderful pets for kids.

Answer 2

Yes, this is pet is a good idea with parent help because when u leave a guinea pig in a room to long and don't give it a bath, it will stink up that room and u will need help cleaning it. Plus, who will take care of it when ur at school or away from home? PS, Always leave the window open in the room that it is in! very important. TRUST ME GONE THROUGH IT!

Answer 3

When I was a young lad I had a female and male guinea pig and yes I did allow them to breed. They are great pets and also can make you some nice cash if you sell there babies to pet shops. I use to do it and made about 15-20 dollars each time I did it. Guinea Pigs are great pets there babies are even born with fur there eyes open and all there natural motor skills intact.

Answer 4

YES!!! (and no)
they are better than hamsters for example because they are active in the day (hamsters are nocternal so sleep in the day and are less interesting.. plus keep kid awake at night) Guinea Pigs "talk" but make sure you get one that has been handled regularly.. if you are getting one from an SPCA I am sure the staff will know which ones are friendliest.. if you are getting one from a pet store you MUST check for yourself.. since they will tell you anything to get a sale. and seldom get pets who are properly socialized since most are bred soley for making money for the store...
Guinea Pigs require GP food, because they need Vitamin C added to their diet.. you will also need to feed some timothy hay for roughage.. their cage will get smelly and will need to be cleaned almost daily and thoroughly cleaned once a week..fed and water checked daily

as for "NO" I beleive NO pet is ideal for a kid.. ALL pets should be "family" pets since mom or dad will often have to oversee the care and "nag" the child to look after the pet.. a 12 yr old cannot understand "LIFETIME" commitment to a pet.... and it is unfair to get rid of a pet simply becuase the child isnt looking after it, when an adult was ultimately the one who is responsible for getting the pet...

Answer 5

my friend owns a mouse but i don't think you'd enjoy that if your rich i'd be trying to get a horse. but other then that i don't know. why do u need another pet do u even give ur other animals enough attention and if maci small maybe you'll prefer a bigger dog. 2 you can get a rat chickens, fish, crabs, like kermit crabs other wise i'm sorry don't really know. my mom only going to let me have one dog. oh and there is turtles but i had one and they are boring you can let them crawl and stuff but other than that there not that fun. oh and i live in the country so i don't think chickens would be ok for u if u live in the city.

Answer 6

Yeah guinea pigs are very sweet and loving. But make sure that you get two girls if you get more then one. If its two boys or one boy and one girl then they need to be seperated.

Good Luck!!

Answer 7

i got my first one when I was 9, I was very responsible and my parents said if they ever had to take care of him they would give him away. they did help me, but he was mine. they are great pets from kids, just make sure when the 12 yr old starts handling him you are there, since they will bite if handled too rough.

Answer 8

If the 12 year old seems responsible enough then yes.

Answer 9

YES! They are sweet little creatures, and as long as your 12 year old is gentle and loving, it will be a wonderful relationship.

Answer 10

Yes, they are fairly easy to care for....not too expensive & very laid back in nature.