Do Guinea pigs make good pets?

Question

Hi, my class have been badgering me for weeks for a class pet. Our dearly loved hamster Harriet died in her sleep before the start of the new term and they would like a new pet. However I don't want another hamster as they sleep all day and are grumpy if the children wake them up. I can't have a rabbit because I personally have a male rabbit and I don't want fights or babies for that matter!
So I suppose I want to know if a) Guinea pigs make good pets?
b) they eat the same food as the rabitt?
Thanks in advance
ps the class are aged 8 and 9

sorry didn't say that they would not be living together but would have to share a run in the school holidays. And to the answerer who descibed a GP I know what they are!

Answer 1

Guinea pigs make fabulous pets, however they don't eat the same proprietary brands of dry mix as rabbits, because piggies need extra vit.c. and folic acid. Its very worthwhile making sure you get proper piggie mix, which will keep yours happy and healthy. Fresh food is very important for a piggie. Mine eats lettuce by the bucketload, a little spinach (although not too much, as its bad for him - as are apples and pears), loads of celery, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, fresh herbs like parsley and coriander, plus fruits like plums and grapes. Backed up with a constant supply of fresh hay, you should have a lovely plump piggie.

If you were considering keeping the piggie in with your male rabbit during holiday times etc., I can't see that working. Rabbits become very territorial (as you no doubt know) and he would probably take exception to a new "friend" and attack the poor piggie. Plus, they'd miss each other when the Piggie had to go back to school. Piggies are completely benign little creatures who rarely bite or nip if they're socialised properly from babies. Regular gentle handling is the key. Start the way you mean to go on and you'll have a wonderful happy little friend.

As for his living conditions, it is good to give him as much room as possible. Little hutches are okay for sleeping in, but not much good for playing! Piggies thoroughly enjoy getting out and exploring - although all the usual rules apply regarding electric cables and other hazards.

In the summer months, piggies love to get outside on the grass in a run which is safe from dogs, cats or other predators. Wire mesh on all sides, is the only way!

Piggies are very social and do enjoy having a friend for company, so even though I have one piggie who lives alone (he's in our sitting room, so gets loads of attention), I'd recommend getting a duo of piggies, then they can keep each other amused.

Piggie hygiene is very important, too. They need to be bathed in a gentle shampoo every three months or so and, if living outdoors, of course they need to be absolutely dry before going back out. I often give my lad a helping hand with the hairdryer (on cool setting), which makes him a very fluffy pig indeed. Their nails need to be kept short and a close watch kept on the state of their teeth. Provided they have plenty of hard feed (carrots, hay, dry mix) their teeth shouldn't become overgrown - but it does happen from time to time.

So there we are, a brief guide to the joy of owning piggies. Fweep fweep!! :)

Answer 2

No, guinea pigs and rabbits do not eat the same food, but it is probably sold right with the rabbit food and they can eat the same kinds of veggies and fruit.
I have two guinea pigs and they are sort of skiddish. They get really scared everytime I come into the room and can be quite noisy when they squeel, so that might disturb your class. The only way I've found to stop the squeeling is to feed them or if you already have ignore them. They can also be very skiddish and like to hide a lot. When they get scared they also go to the bathroom wherever they are. And if you don't clean their cage at least twice a week it gets quite smelly.

Answer 3

guinea pigs make great pets if you understand that they have to live in small groups.

Even the smallest, gentlest rabbit kicks out when it is happy.
All rabbits do a 'lambs leap' when they are happy, so if guinea is in the way he will be injured by those powerful back legs. Many guinea pigs have died from the injuries caused by these kicks.

Keeping them together can result in the guinea pig receiving fatal injuries.

Keeping them together results in a compromise of nutritional needs.

Guinea pigs have different dietary needs to rabbits. Guinea pigs are not able to store vitamin C in their bodies and therefore need a daily supply. Rabbits can and so do not require the same amount.

The nutritional values of their dry food is different.

Rabbit food does not contain the vitamin C that a guinea pig needs. Many also contain antibiotics that prevent coccidiosis, which can be fatal. These are toxic to guinea pigs. Rabbits need more vitamin D than guinea pigs

Rabbits can harbour a bacteria which is fatal to guinea pigs.

We know of someone who was aware that rabbits and guineas shouldn’t be kept together but although they were kept separately guinea still caught the ’Bordetella bug’ and died.

Guineas don't talk rabbit language. Guinea pigs are from South America and rabbits are from Europe.

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Why not consider rats? they are very friendly and intelligent. They are best kept in same sex couples or groups from the same litter. They are highly amusing and thrive on human contact and company. They see you as a point of safety.

Please be carefull not to drop them though!

Answer 4

Well I had a Guinea and I was not very fond of it. Every Guinea PIg I got was mean and bit people. They also always hide! So if you want a good class pet consider maybe a Love Bird. They are pretty and they do not bit and I am positive they do not hide! Oh and Guinea Pigs do not eat the same food as a rabbit.

Answer 5

As an actual pet - brilliant. Especially for that age group. However, they do make a room whiff a little.

Unlike most mammals (including rabbits), guinea pigs require a high level of the vitamin, folic acid. Unlike rabbits, guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C and must, therefore, receive it from an outside source.

Also, they are very sociable animale. The fact that a lot of kids are around might be good, but it would be kinder to get more then one.

Answer 6

Guinea pigs can eat the same things as rabbits. They often get along very well. Guinea pigs make great pets. I have had mine for 4 years since she was a baby. I love her. They do not bite at all. The kids will love a guinea pig. I take it you are teaching third grade. thats how old I was when I got my first guinea pig. Have fun!

Answer 7

Yes guinea pigs make lovely pets, they are just like rabbit except easier to catch. They eat much the same food as rabbit hay+veg+the dried food.

We give our guineas lettuce, tomato, cucumber, carrot, apple etc.

plus they love it when we collect a bag full of long grass from outdoors for them.

The only downside is that they are messier than rabbits.

I would also reccomend getting 2 guinea pigs.

Answer 8

Ginea pigs make excellent pets, i had many as a younster! they do eat the same pet food as a rabbit, along with carrots, cabbage etc but not lettuce! they will happily live with rabbits in perfect harmony without the risk of any babies! i loved having guinea pigs when i was younger! the long haired ones are the best! good luck xxx

Answer 9

Yes guinea pig is excellent pet and they eat the same food as the rabbit.

Answer 10

Guinea Pigs make a good pet, they aren't AS smelly as a rabbit, and yes they eat the same thing as a rabbit. Other animals that make good pets are: Rats (never bite, VERY clean, very social and they LOVE attention and don't mind being woken up) Gerbils (never bite, very clean and also like attention and also don't mind being woken up)