I'm thinking about getting a couple guinea pigs for my kids but I don't want to get them if they bite.
2007-03-21 13:35:23 · 10 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
guinea pigs are very nice. i had 4 when i was younger. everyone else answered your question but just so you know they smell really bad and you have to clean out their cage everyday. i have 2 horses and i prefer to smell the horse any day over a guinea pig. they are a big responsibility and you have to take more care of it than your kids. don't get me wrong they are very cute and loving but just remember about how much responsibility they are
good luck
2007-03-22 10:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guinea pigs rarely bite, it is against their natural instincts. They are far more likely to run away every time anyone even moves! If you are planing on getting pet shop guinea pigs make sure you sex them yourself too, as pet stores often mis-sex guinea pigs, leaving you with a pregnant female. At first they will be skittish, and frightened of their own shadows, but with frequent handling and lots of veggies (the way to a guinea pig's heart is through it's stomach) they will become more and more tame. At first mine would not come out of her house except to eat and drink unless she could not see anyone, now she stands at the side of her cage and squeaks at me in the morning to tell me it is time for food! :)
2007-03-21 22:29:21 · answer #2 · answered by Katie C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've owned and use to breed guinea pigs for about 6 years. In my experience, I was bitten once while saving one from an attacking cat.
I think guinea pigs are far more tolerant of children than a hamster or gerbil. I gave my niece one for her 8th birthday, and she would sometimes let it sleep in the bed with her. She’s never been bitten.
I think a lot of it depends on how it is treated and cared for. As long as you provide a loving home for it, and the kids don't abuse it, they should be fine.
2007-03-21 13:51:51 · answer #3 · answered by Jordan M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had Guinea pigs and they are generally tame. They do bite if they are scared so you will need to make sure you kids know how to properly handle them.
2007-03-22 11:30:06 · answer #4 · answered by MLE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, most of them can be tamed really well and are great kids animals. However, they might be a bit skittish when you first get them as the pet stores dont socialize then at all. Zip. Zilch. When i got mine she was running around her cage frantically but she never tried to bite: like hamsters do when they get frightened....a few weeks later with a lot of hand feeding and attention she was just fine. The only time mine has ever bitten was when she mistook my finger for a carrot-- Hey, simple mistake! They look a lot a like!
2007-03-21 13:50:45 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah C- Equine Help 101 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most pet stores will allow you to handle the guinea pig before agreeing to purchase them, for then you get a general idea of the personality of the individual.
2007-03-21 13:44:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they were handled alot since they were babies and are still handled lots plus your children are gentle with them they're not likely to bite. they only bite if they dont get handled much so they get scared easier.
2007-03-21 14:50:38 · answer #7 · answered by ingabish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are great pets and very tolerant, i have never had one bite before.
2007-03-21 13:46:34 · answer #8 · answered by Firefly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
according to the stats that i have read only one in four hundred will actually bite.
2007-03-22 08:20:31 · answer #9 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like any other animal-depends on how they are treated.
2007-03-21 14:06:58 · answer #10 · answered by charlie_corral 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋