Should I get a guniea pig or a gerbil?

Question

I read some books about both of those rodents, and I have the basic idea of how to take care of them. So now I can't decide: G.P.s or Gerbils. I live in Texas, so heat is the main problem, but that's why A.C.'s invented.

I read many books and internet sources about both of those rodents, and I have the some idea of how to take care of them. So now I can't decide: G.P.s or Gerbils. I live in Texas, so heat is the main problem, but that's why A.C.'s invented.

I asked my mom if I should get a G.P. or a gerbil, and she said she hated both of them... She hates rodents. But I'm sure if I keep them in my roon, it'll be fine.

I also go to high school (9th grade). Sorry for the scattered informations.

Kay, just to clear things up, I can take care of G.P.s or Gerbils. I LOVE animals! I can't understand why mom only likes dogs when there're plenty of cute animals around! XD
And we went to Petco the other day. She said G.P.s are better coz they look less like rodents and more like bunnies. She hated gerbils. Said they looked too much like rats.

Answer 1

Guinea Pigs are much more cuddly. Gerbils tend to bite. If you want one to just look at in a cage, a gerbil will be fine. If you want a cuddler, get a guinea pig.

Cindi G.
Pet Trainer

Answer 2

It depends on your lifestyle, your home environment, your budget, how much space you have, and more.

To determine whether a guinea pig is right for you:
http://www.ctguineapigrescue.org/adopt/aregpright.html

Guinea pigs can live as long as 8 years. Gerbils live about 1/3 as long. Taking responsibility to care for another living thing is big, whether it's 2 years or 5 or 8.

The fact that your mother isn't thrilled with a gerbil or a guinea pig is a big concern for me. You're a high school freshman now, and will (presumably) be off to college in four years. Colleges don't allow pets in dormitories, so you won't be able to take a guinea pig with you. Your mom is not going to be willing to assume care for a guinea pig when you go off to college. She'll probably end up making you find another home for your guinea pig(s). Assuming you get a baby now, you'll be creating a lot of stress and upheaval for a 3- or 4-year-old guinea pig when you try to relocate it to a new home.

If you're intent on a guinea pig, I would recommend adopting an older guinea pig.

Otherwise, a gerbil or hamster would probably fit into things better for your home environment.

Answer 3

Both are really nice pets.

Both are social so you should get two. Gerbils are easier -- two can live in a 10 gallon tank and they are desert animals that drink and pee very little, so they only need to be cleaned out ever two weeks. Gerbils are more fun to watch in the tank as they build tunnels, gnaw stuff up and are generally very busy. They live about 3 years.

GP's need a bigger housing setup (more expensive, harder to clean out, and have to clean out more often). They are a nice pet if you want one that will sit in your lap, let you brush him, etc. They are a longer time commitment because they live 8 years or more.

Maybe you should start off with gerbils and if you find you like having them and could put more time into pet-care get GP's next.

Whichever you get make sure they are tame and friendly from the start. I'd recommend two babies from a breeder for someone starting out. www.AGSgerbils.org has a gerbil breeder listing.

PS - good gerbil information sources are the handbook on www.AGSgerbils.org and the book "Gerbils: complete care made easy" on amazon.com or the AGS site.

Answer 4

Whatever you decide to get, make sure you do A LOT more research than you already have.

Guinea pigs are very social creatures and are best in groups of two or three, although many people will keep small cavy herds. Make sure, if you decide on a guinea pig, you either get all males (which can live in the same cage as long as they do not have conflicting personalities and enough room to run around), all females, or all females and one neutered male.

Guinea pigs require at least 7.5 square feet of space (cavycages.com), and more is always better. I have four male guinea pigs in a 20 square foot C&C cage (cubes and coroplast), which is throughly explained at www.cavycages.com.

Guinea pigs also require fresh fruits and veggies everyday, a constant supply of timothy hay, and half a cup of timothy hay-based pellets per day. DO NOT GIVE YOUR GUINEA PIG VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENTS. They do not need it if they get enough leafy green veggies.

The downside to guinea pigs is that they are prone to heat stroke, which means you have to be sure they are in a cool area at all times (being in 80-90 degree weather is only okay for less than an hour, and even then they must be provided with a cool stone to lay on and plenty of fresh water, veggies and shade to lay under). If you plan on having the A.C. on at all times, however, this isn't much of a problem. Really, just use your common sense. If you feel it's really hot in the house (guinea pigs should NEVER be kept outside), you know your pigs are hot. They're covered in fur and are made to live in a climate with really cold weather.

Guinea pigs make great pets, especially if you're into cuddling with them, but can be tricky to tame and won't trust you all that easily. You should have them associate you with food, and it may help your situation a bit.

For more info on guinea pigs, check out:
www.cavycages.com
www.guinealynx.com

Gerbils, on the other hand, are completely different. True, some gerbils bite, but any gerbil that does nip you is probably just seeing if you're edible (or at least chewable). Gerbils destroy things much more than a guinea pig would, as they tend to chew more than guinea pigs do. I had a gerbil that chewed a hole straight through her water bottle. They aren't really cuddly and are more fun to actively play with and watch. If you prefer a pet that is less hands-on, gerbils are probably the best option for you. They are less maintainence than a guinea pig, though they should still be provided with a good diet and fresh water daily.

I don't know any great websites about gerbils, but I'm sure you can find some by searching for them on google. Make sure you check several websites to see if there is any conflicting information before you decide whether or not something is true. And remember, when in doubt, always play it safe and do what is best for the animal.

While you're considering getting a pet, I feel it would be appropriate to push adoption, especially if you are considering a guinea pig. Pet store guinea pigs are almost always either bred in the store from breeder pigs that are worn out, overused, and mistreated or from pig mills and backyard breeders, where disease often runs rampet. Try checking out your local animal shelter or visiting www.petfinder.com. There are so many homeless pigs in the world, and guinea pigs that come from adoption centers are often adopted out in pairs and are already used to being handled by people, so will have an easier time trusting you. And remember, for every life you save in adoption center, you really save two because you have opened up a place in the shelter for another animal to take its place.

Good luck. I hope you find the companion you are looking for!

Answer 5

Guinea pigs are more sweet most of the time but sometimes they can smell bad. The guinea pigs absolutley love the sun and they like to play hide and seek and they are more playful creatures so you should probably get a guinea pig since they can't get out of their cages so easily and if they happen to slip out it is easier to find them. Guinea pigs can live from 5 to 8 to even 13 or 14 years. Gerbils only live for about 2 to 6 years. I believe that it is easier for gerbils to get hurt or sick than guinea pigs.

Answer 6

I don't suggest a guinea pig because you don't have the time to cuddle and care for one properly. They are not supposed to sit in the cage alone all the time. Guinea pigs can live up to 9 years.
A gerbil doesn't like to live alone. They tend to bite and must be housed in a glass cage because they chew everything.
Gerbils can live 5 years. Your Mom gives wise advice. Probably a good idea to thank her for being so wonderful in helping you decide why not to have a pet.

Answer 7

Get a guinea pig, they are cute, fuzzy and never bite. But they are also more work than a gerbils. Guinea pigs can get heat strokes if its too hot but gerbils also can get heat strokes. IF your dedicated and willing to work ,its better to get guinea pigs because they rarely bite and live 5-8 years. Gerbils live about 1-2 years, are less work and are a little more playful. I suggest a guinea pig though

Answer 8

My friend has a guinea pig and she's the sweetest little animal ever. Pigs are have a surprising amount of personality, and can be pretty cuddly. I've never had gerbils, but I have had hamsters and they're fun but I have a feeling a pig would be more lovable (possibly more work though, if that's an issue).

Answer 9

Why not a bunny or a hamster???

Gerbils are pretty speedy and hard to hold onto. Can be pretty wild when not used to being held... they come in brown...

Gunia pigs are OK... Never seen a really evil one... Color choices...

Hamsters are a little slower and friendlier than gerbils... Come in more colors... There are a few different breeds... Have that ugly, bald, short, little tail though...

Bunnies are awesome... There are smaller breeds... Breed / color choices...

Seriously... Cats are easier to take care of and have much more personality.... live much longer... don't need to be caged... Require some vet care to make good house pets... A little more expense. A cat that isn't spayed or neutered at the proper time and declawed will stand a pretty good chance of damaging your home / using it as a toilet. If these things are done... You feed them, scoop the litter box and enjoy them... That's about all you have to worry about. I know people are going to say declawing is cruel... Heck... I got circumcised and make all kinds of sacrifices to live in society!!! I think cats are happier in the long run when you never have to yell at them for doing what comes natural to them... If you keep them inside, you really don't have to worry about vet care / vaccinations after their first few visits.

Answer 10

I've had both but enjoyed the guinea pig much better. I had other animals at home and my dogs and cats always thought the gerbil was a mouse. She was hard to hold and bit.

I have had guinea pigs most of my life and very few of them have bitten. You can train them not to. Guinea pigs are great lap pets and aren't as active as gerbils. You also don't have to worry as much about one getting "lost" in your house. They are very easy going animals. And they get along great with my dogs. They think of them as "puppies" because they are always grooming them when I take them out of their cages.