Petco or Petsmart?

Question

Has anyone ever bought a guinea pig at petco? If so, was the guinea pig a baby? Was it nice? Because I want to get one there or at petsmart? Which should I go to? Petco or Petsmart?

I've been to both, but I dont know which has better quality guinea pigs. Both petco and petsmart by my home are 30.00 for guinea pigs.

Answer 1

PetSmart all the way. The even have a VetAssured grantee. It means that if the pet gets sick or dies within 14 days, you get a replacement or a full refund.

Answer 2

Well, I've never been to a Petco because there's none in my area. I work at a Petsmart though, and my sisters bought two guinea pigs from us when we first opened.

They guinea pigs were pretty young, probably around the best age. You don't want them too young because you have to remember that a lot of the time they've been there for awhile or had to be shipped in, which means they could've been weaned too early. This generally isn't good for the pet's mental health.

Most baby guinea pigs are skittish at first unless they come from a specialized breeder, but with patience and lots of handeling/visiting they should become trusting pets. My sisters' guinea pigs are amazingly friendly and they get most of their attention from a 6 year-old (my baby sister).

I can't speak for either store for sure though, the ones in your area may both be better than mine, or worse, or one might be better than the other...It depends both on where they get their guinea pigs originally, and then on how often/well the staff socializes them and treats them. This will vary by store.

I would suggest seeing the pigs at both stores. See if you have favourites, ask to handle them at both stores, and ask their age. I know Petsmart gets them from "USDA Approved Facilities" but I'm not sure if Petco get them locally or by the same means, so I'd also ask their approx. age, how long they've been at the store, etc. See how knowledgable the staff are, and let that help you're choice :)

Good luck! Oh, but remember that guinea pigs are social. They should be kept in same-sex pairs. My sisters have two males and they get along very well other than the occaisional squabble over dominance, but that's healthy.

Answer 3

See if there is a local rescue or shelter to adopt a guinea pig from - the link below had the most heartbreaking story about guinea pigs are Petsmart that I've ever heard. Scroll down the page and read the story about Baby Maggs and you'll understand why it's so important to get your piggy from a rescue group and not a pet store.

Answer 4

Why not adopt one? Both stores have some serious animal husbandry problems and there are always guinea pigs available from various rescue sites. There are dozens up for rescue within an hour of my house, for as little as $10.

Go to petfinder (I'll link below) and in the right hand side, click on "Click for list" next to "BREED". Then click on "Small & Furry". Then click on Guinea Pig. You can enter your zip code on the right hand side to narrow the search.

Answer 5

Petco all the way, I went to a petsmart once and all the animals looked aweful, like the animals look on the animal planet cop shows.

Answer 6

I take it there still alive? You just want to get different fish? Yes They will they just won't give you what you paid for them. They will however give you a little credit towards buying more fish. If it's different fish you want, try going to a little fish store in your neighborhood Your going to be able to get a better selection of fish. The fish you find at petsmart a boring run of the mill fish. Try chiclids next time there much more fun!!

Answer 7

Hard to say, petco never has what I need so I go to petsmart. Go to Petsmart.

Answer 8

I myself prefer petco, but realistically you could end up with a good or bad pet from either. They do not breed their own animals, they have them shipped from breeding farms. Any animal you buy anywhere could be healthy or be harboring an infection or disease.

Answer 9

petco is more like a grocery store for pet supplies. i suggest petsmart because they have tons more pets.

Answer 10

I recommend Petsmart. That store is a good store.