Guiena pigs

[aunt jemima92]

im thinking about getting a guiena pig. ive got a few questions so here goes

1- how long do they live for?

2- how big do the get?(i was told as big as kittens)

3- what do they eat?

4- do they need substrate? will newspaper do?

5- is a 20g tall big enough?

6- temperment?

7- price? i was told between $40-$60

8- do they need a place to hide like beardies do?

9- what diseases should i look out for when im buying?

thanks lol i want one so bad so i thought id finally buy one.

[aunt jemima92]

all right thanks im going out now in a bit to check the price.

[Veggieburger]

I've had them as well and I agree w/ DH I loved mine and he was adorable and sweet.

[Xterri-leighX]

Bear in mind when buying they like company, they can become depressed when kept on ther own. I have two and their pains in the bum lol, they always squeal VERY loudly when they want feeding.

For substrate I use newspaper to line the bottom and then a generous layer of woodshavings over the top, and when you say 20g tall you mean a tank? A traditional wooden rabbit hutch would be better, but due to the fact its wood and soaks up fluids, a plastic indoor hutch, (they have a wire top and look kind of like oversized hamster cages) would be better still.

Mine have a small handful of the petshop bought cereal every day, but mainly eat fresh greens along with chopped carrot or apple, and things like cucumber and tomatoes make great treats!

Guineapigs make great pets and I think you'll love them! But try not to pick them up unless you have to (to move them or check their health) they don't like it, they love to be fed treats and tickled behind the ears though

[froggie731]

I LOOOVEEDD my guinea pig.  She was super sweet.  My cousin got her guinea pig the exact same day I did, and she got a male, hers would nip sometimes.  I don't know if this has anything to do with gender, but if it does, i recommend getting a female.  i got her when she was just a little baby, just arrived from the petstore.  i think with any other animal, handling from the time they are young makes them tame. my girl LOOVED to be rubbed under her chin.  she would lift her head up and it was the cutest thing.  i miss my guinea pig sooo much.  one day i plan on getting another, i just hope it's as sweet as her.

aanndd, she really loved carrots, it was so cute to watch her eat.  if you do get one, PLEASE post pictures.

guinea pigs are my favorite "rodent"...even though its hard to call them that!   

[Veggieburger]

I think they're fine if you pick them up, you just have to get them used to it just like any other animal. They're like bunnies in that respect. Mine was very affectionate and loved to be cuddled.

[aunt jemima92]

yeah i wont be getting one for atleast another month so ill have plenty of time to read up on them. but these cages you speak of how much are they and would like pjs pets have them?

[Xterri-leighX]

I have no idea if pjs pets will have them lol, but I can get them here for about £40, as a matter of fact getting one for my piggys soon

I think the main reason handling is an issue is the fact that their probably eaten by birds of prey in the wild, which pick them up then drop them to their deaths, mine will settle down if i place them in my lap and feed treats, and they love to be tickled behind the ears

[Veggieburger]

They don't require a huge space, you can prolly pick one up for under 60 bucks. Just keep in mind they need their excersize time out of their pen 

[reptilelvr]

My wife is not squeemish in the least. She's okay with crickets in the house caved on roaches after a little persuasion, we even had a 12ft burmese before my son was born. That said she hates....absolutely abhors guinea pigs. I think the only way one would have made it in the house is if it were to feed the afore mentioned python. Whether logical or not the noise they make creeps the heck out of her.