V1CK1

Anyone got guinea pigs? Are they good pets, easy to look after etc.

All advice appreciated.

Cheers, Vicki

alloy

I had a Guinea pig until he died . Fun pets to have, don't really do alot, but minimal mess and quite fun to watch run about, rabbits are better though because they hop around . We had both, they live a fair while too and rnning costs are pretty low!

V1CK1

Going to be keeping inside so dont want a rabbit, they get too big too quick

You say fun but dont do alot, fun in what way?

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

get a pet rat, you will get a lot more from your pet as they are VERY clever and great fun!!

OllyK

You can get a dwarf rabbit.

Fun watching them chew through the mains cables I expect

ETA: Oh and fun moving all the heavy furniture (washing machine, sofas etc) that they hide behind / under

andys

Have eaten them in Peru, surprisingly they taste a bit like chicken...

Simon C

I had them as a pet as a kid ad teenager I loved mine, I must have done I had 52 at 1 point (don't buy male and female ones then keep em in the same cage!!!!!) The garage became the hutch.

Mine loved being held, and would quite happily sit on my crossed arms being fed and sleep.

A garden run for the summer is a great idea, gives them plenty of room to run about in, and helps keep the grass down too also helps suppliment their diet. Just make sure it has a roof to stop the local cats or dogs getting them.

Food wise, dry food is ok, but if you have spare lettuce leaves or the leaves from a cauliflower its ideal, carrots are also another fav, again, its something different for them.

1 word of caution though, don't stick your fingers in the cage through the mesh, I did, and to a guinea pig, a finger looks like a small carrot, 20 years later I still have the scar!!!

Also keep an eye on their front teeth, being rodents their front teeth always grow and may need the odd bit of detal work (grinding down).

Also if you can do so, get 2, they love company.

Robbie T

iTrader: (8)

I hear they're good for experimentation

BOB.T

Don't let it get hold of your credit card

pslewis

Rabbits are not good pets at all

Guinea Pigs are brilliant

Rats are, without a doubt, the BEST all-round pet you can have!! (2 year life span, very clean, clever, don't bite, full of character)

Pete

Robbie T

iTrader: (8)

Why not, they apparently know what they're doing with them (good old egg.com!)

V1CK1

Just reseved my 2 guinea pigs. Pick them up tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments guys, i dont have a credit card so they cant get to it, unless they phone egg and order one!

Pslewis, how comes you are still alive if there is only a two year lifespan? Tee Hee.

pauly

iTrader: (1)

they need plenty of handling and they have weak hearts so loads die from heart attacks if you dont handle them regular the shock real easy

other than that piece of p!$$ to look after jus make sure they get fed and watered every day plenty of hay and wood shavings and bobs your uncle

Simon C

If you look after them, you will have pets for a good few years. All mine lived till they were 4 or 5 years old

dpb

Prolly more meat on them than the average bunny .....pound fer pound

Simon C

Doubt it, with all grass munchers about 40% of their weight is all guts.

salsa-king

you need to email my sister... she used to breed them and show them too. at her peek she had 19!!!
when they died off... she went onto Dagoos (or how ever you spell it)
i'lll PM her Email addy to u

Phil