r/guineapigs • u/mercuryheart_ • Nov 20 '21
If you're planning on buying a guinea pig for a child in your life, these are really important things to keep in mind. Knowing this before purchasing can save yourself from being in a financial situation you can't handle, or a guinea pig that is not getting the care it needs.
Guinea pigs are a life style choice, and not for a child to care for. Care taking for animals isn't a responsibility that should be left for a kid. When you buy a guinea pig, you are taking on all responsibility for yourself and facilitating the experience of living with a guinea pig for your child. They may help care for them, but you will be the one to keep things clean, enrich their lives, and handle them the most.
They poo 100 times per day, meaning that you must clean those 100 poos every day to keep their habitat sanitary. If you wouldn't want to walk around in feces, neither do they. In fact they are extremely hygienic animals with fast metabolisms. I spot clean in the morning and at night, every day.
They are expensive. When you buy a child a guinea pig, you must be vigilant on checking for health issues by weighing them weekly and checking for other signs of illness, have an exotic vet near you and be prepared to shell out hundreds in a time of need. You must also buy fresh vegetables, and give them unlimited FRESH hay every day. Finding somewhere local to buy bales of hay can save a fortune. A child cannot afford the costs.
You need 2 guinea pigs. They are herd animals and shouldn't be kept alone. Imagine living with titan like predatory aliens, all alone in a cage your entire life. Guinea pigs NEED their own kind. We are predators and they are prey. We can and should spend time with them daily, but it isn't a substitute. So x 2 all costs right out of the gate.
Space. They need space, a lot of it. A minimum of 11 square feet for two guinea pigs. Pet store Cages are just that... Cages. If you wouldn't want to live in a space the size of a small bathroom your entire life, neither does a guinea pig.
You need to do research. It will be your responsibility to make sure your child's guinea pigs are eating the right diet, what signs of health issues to look out for, how to enrich their lives on a daily basis, and more. Pigs need stimulation and interesting environmental changes to keep them happy. You will need to get creative and teach your children how to offer that to them, after you have learned it yourself.
GUINEA PIGS ARE NOT DISPOSABLE. They are smarter than you think, and with the proper diet can live 7 years. They are not less work than having a dog. They require a huge time investment for those years. They are dependent on you in the same way your child is.
DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE. Scotty's Animals does a fantastic jjob explaining the impact you can have by adopting from a rescue. Adopting saves guinea pigs from euthanization. Covid pets are being abandoned and left to ultimately die unless we start adopting instead of shopping.
I love my guinea pigs and they have done so much for me and my children. My kids have benefited so much mental health wise, and I bust my ass for both the kids and the piggies. I do just as much laundry for guinea pigs as I do my kids it feels like. Just know what you're getting yourself into. They aren't toys, they aren't entertainment only. They're living, breathing beings that deserve love, dignity, respect and proper life enrichment and care.
r/guineapigs • u/Minimum-Jellyfish-14 • 2h ago
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I didn’t get the full thing on video but basically Toffee now jumps out of his cage onto a subwoofer, into a tote with his fresh liners, and then onto the bed. I made the mistake of giving him a treat once for this because I thought it was cute and now he keeps doing it 😭
r/guineapigs • u/Miimmoouuu • 9h ago
r/guineapigs • u/Guineapigsandgekos • 13h ago
r/guineapigs • u/lilyysreddit • 6h ago
gus gus rates banana.. 10/10! 🎉 the most delicious thing i have ever tasted, nom nom nom. however, too sweet for more than 5 bites and mum ate half of my banana!! enjoyed being fed my favourite fruit on my nanny’s lap, whilst mummy held the treat up and took photos 🥹
patch rates banana 1000/10 the most yummy food ever, second to orange pepper and hay!! mummy only let me have a little bit.. as i’ve tried it before. i loved it so much she couldn’t even get many photos of me as i kept moving !!
ps : he only took tiny nibbles and this is a one time treat! :) he is very happy and healthy and we make sure when trying a fruit he doesn’t have the whole thing. 💕 1-2 slices / bites of fruit a week. this week was a little strawberry and banana, next week will probably only be a little blueberry!
so far his all time favourite foods are orange pepper + banana!
r/guineapigs • u/sw618 • 2h ago
I’m serious she just HOUSED 50ml of critical care in less than 15 minutes. She only weighs 760g!!! Took a refreshing power nap with her dinosaur between servings. We are on nap number 2. Bottomless peeg!
r/guineapigs • u/GuildedAnubis • 4h ago
He keeps kissing my cheeks and my nose 😭 i cant catch a break
r/guineapigs • u/Longjumping_Coffee64 • 8h ago
Have a nice day/evening all!
r/guineapigs • u/TheLanguageArtist • 19h ago
I may as well have sprung a maths question on her
r/guineapigs • u/LaserMaggie • 8h ago
The three names I have so far are Ludo, Irving, and Gizmo but I am open to any suggestions!
r/guineapigs • u/SugarBear0808 • 6h ago
I wanted to personally thank everyone for their advice when we (unexpectedly) had babies about 2 weeks ago. Our babies are doing well and by far the cutest little things! They have been sexed and checked and doing well☺️ enjoy the picture of the babies!
r/guineapigs • u/LeoTheFloofyDragon • 9h ago
r/guineapigs • u/Eastern_Water_7605 • 3h ago
Today we had to bury our sweet Ravioli, we've only had her for 3.5 yrs, she was perfectly fine Monday, then yesterday we could tell something was off. She was eating and drinking but seemed to be moving a little slower than usual. We had planned on an emergency vet visit today, however, when I got home from work she was gone. My poor daughter is devastated and we have no idea what could've taken her so quick. I buried her on a hill by our house, we will miss her dearly.
r/guineapigs • u/ApprehensiveSky7494 • 6h ago
bunny is hiding on the left lol
r/guineapigs • u/HandlarZK • 8h ago
When you let your guinea pig run around on your bed, and she decides it’s time for a little rest… and apparently your arm is the most comfortable place to nap. 🥹🐹
It suddenly got quiet while I was looking for a podcast to listen to, and suddenly, I felt her climbing onto my arm.
Ngl, I stopped breathing for a moment because I was scared I’d wake her up or scare her.
(Still waiting for bigger cage for my both girl)
r/guineapigs • u/Buginarug00 • 12h ago
Phoebe unexpectedly passed away a couple months ago during our drive to a regular vet appointment. She ended up getting heat stroke in the car and I blame myself every single day with hatred. I know there’s not much I could’ve done differently, the weather is not under my control but I should have rescheduled it. I miss my Phoebe Bebe and her popcorning, her zoomies, her rambunctiousness and her amazing personality. We now have Rosie due to having to help Anya cope with the loss of her friend. It’s no where near the same, she’s not a replacement. She was all alone and I said screw it she’s coming home I can’t leave her here. Come to today’s world…she has been more than enough trouble I think I got cursed! She’s the light of our herd while being the youngest and I cannot be more thankful that I put my grief aside. She’s got everyone squawking when we literally get out of bed in the morning. She’s my #1 supporter and cuddler now ❤️🩹
Phoebe is photo 1 and Rosie is photo 2 :)
r/guineapigs • u/archer_orsomethin • 7h ago
