Anyone have a Guinea Pig as a pet?

Question

I was thinking of getting a Guinea Pig as a pet. Do they make good pets? I have 3 cats but they seem good sized that maybe the cats won't bother them? I also have 2 parakeets. How easy is it to care for them? Are they messy? I had pet mice before and they were very messy lol

Answer 1

I have had 3 guinea pigs. I didn't think of them as very difficult to care for or really messy. The first guinea pig that I had lived for over a year, but the second and third guinea pigs that I had both died within three months.

Answer 2

Yes! i have had 6 guineapigs in my lifetime! They have all lived to a healthy 5 years old which is good! Right now i have two little 3 month old guineas. I find guineapigs to be amazing pets. They are easy to keep and easy to feed and clean too. Also, when or if you ever go away on holiday you can just give them to a neighbour or friend and all they will have to do is fill up the food and water now and again when needed. Guinea pigs are not too messy atall also they tend not to smell (especially the females) and it would help to clean them out (atleast) once a week to keep them clean. Guineapigs tend to be sociable and lovely pets as long as they are trained from an early age to be picked up. Feeding couldn't be easier. All they need is the dried food or pellets and some fresh fruit or veg once or twice a day. Your cats shouldn't be a problem as long as they are out of the way (so the guineas don't get scared) and you try to teach the cat to stay away. As long as you buy a good sturdy cage, the cats will not be able to get at them! Also, with the cage, i keep my guineapigs inside all year long but when it is dry i put them out in a run in the garden. You can keep guineapigs outside but make sure now and again they have access to grass and grazing is one of their favourate things to do! In the cage or hutch make sure there is nice bedding and hay or straw as that is naturally good for them!
Overall i definately reccomend guineapigs as pets!
hope this has been useful!
goodluck!

Answer 3

I have had my guinea pig for about three years and I would not recommend one really. They are really messy and not very loving animals. Mine is always running away from everyone and they don't seem to like to be held. I would recommend getting a hamster instead...yes they are a little active but i think that they are more fun to have as a pet...not as scared all the time. Just watch the cats around 'em. Good luck finding another pet!

Answer 4

I just bought a female guinea pig from petsmart yesterday! I've had one before and they make great pets. (IF you have the time to devot to them.)

Mine's very scatty, because we took her out of a place where she was comfy and with other to a place where shes alone. So I'm trying to get her tame. (it takes work so try to be patient.)

Guinea pigs need a HIGH vitamin c amount though. You can buy these yogurt drops that contain vitamin c. (Mine loves them.) Even when you give them veggies. If you don't have a cage, I reccomend a Guinea Pig Starter Cage. They only cost about $35. They come with everything that you need.

I had my very first pet as a guinea pig when I was 6. She died 6 years later.

Good luck.


Ps. They're very messy. They need cleaned every week. I've only had mine for one day and she already needs cleaned!

Answer 5

Yeh they are pretty messy. I change the newspaper everyday, which only takes 5 minutes, because theyre so messy. They poo and pee alot, eat alot but over all theyre great. They dont bite and its pretty easy to feed them but you have to watch out when you carry them because my guinea pigs end up peeing or pooing on me or all over the place. But they are irresistable especially with their little quirks and antics and all. They dont get sick easily which is a good thing and they eat very well. I also have a cat myself. You gotta keep the cats away from them. My cat, when i first got the guinea pigs, was sitting on top of their cage and still does constantly watch them. So watch out for the cats. But make sure you can give all of them(cats, parakeet and guineapig) an equal amount of attention.

Answer 6

they are very good pets! i would be careful with the cats tho. they could think the guinea pig is a toy. i would recommend getting two if u can cuz it might feel lonely with all the other pets. they arent that messy but sometimes they kick bedding out of the cage.

Answer 7

I have 2 guinea pigs. They are really great pets, but in your situation I do not suggest them. Cats tend to scare and frighten the piggies, and hurt them as well. Guinea pigs are a bit of a mess, when you have to clean their cage.

Answer 8

They're cute & ours loves to sit on my lap & be petted or brushed (he's got long hair). Most of our cats pretty much ignore him but our kitten loves him & they kinda hang out together. The pig will even squeal for the kitten's attention!
Cages that are marketed for guinea pigs are usually way too small. Don't get a cage with a wire bottom, which is bad for their feet, & avoid pine or cedar bedding, which is bad for their lungs. If you're only able to have 1, make sure you spend lots of time with him or her b/c they're social animals & will get lonely & possibly depressed.

Answer 9

I had 2. but if you dont have a good cage it's hard to clean up after them after they go to the bathroom.
cats and guinea pigs go great together. in the fall and spring when the temp was beautiful, i let them run around on my deck cause it was closed, and my cats and guinea pigs would lay around together. it was so cute. And my cats are kinda wild, so yours should be fine.
but the are easy to care for.
When i first got mine i let it run around on my bed when i was sleeping, because it was afraid of me, when i got up it was sleepiing by me and became my best friend, although i had a few suprises when i woke up. . .

Answer 10

Guinea pigs are real good pets.They can be a little messy though and tend to stink after 4 days.I had two which is better cause they are better in pairs......Good luck