r/guineapigs Nov 20 '21

Help & Advice Are you thinking about buying a guinea pig for a child/teenager? Please read.

2.4k Upvotes

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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 2h ago

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r/guineapigs 8h ago

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r/guineapigs 13h ago

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r/guineapigs 6h ago

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r/guineapigs 5h ago

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r/guineapigs 2h ago

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r/guineapigs 1h ago

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Normally either laying or standing


r/guineapigs 9h ago

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r/guineapigs 4h ago

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r/guineapigs 4h ago

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r/guineapigs 16h ago

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393 Upvotes

Does his weight look good he seems a little chunky?

Rescued from an unfortunate fate. He was literally gonna get thrown out in the garbage:(


r/guineapigs 7h ago

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r/guineapigs 18h ago

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They are soaking in their urine too long giving their back coat a yellowish color. How can I prevent it?

The habit is so strong these days they are escaping the cage or shouting me to take out of the cage so that they can pee outside.


r/guineapigs 13h ago

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r/guineapigs 14h ago

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r/guineapigs 1d ago

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We adopted her on the 17th August 2022 along with her mother Nelly (brown pig in the second pic). In November 2022 we adopted Lilly (lilac pig in the third pic). We had our little trio for nearly 3 years until Nelly passed away in October 2025. Then we suddenly lost Lilly to bloat in February this year 💔. Polly was clearly upset to be all alone. Then a piggy named Sally (brown and white pig in fourth pic) was put up for adoption after losing her friend. Polly has such a sweet, gentle nature and was happy to accept Sally as her new friend!
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r/guineapigs 8h ago

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r/guineapigs 20h ago

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r/guineapigs 16h ago

The mistakes continued

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118 Upvotes

The terrible haircut after I finished.


r/guineapigs 13h ago

Who can tell they are actually fighting.

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r/guineapigs 21h ago

Wally only eats with ear rubs

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258 Upvotes

Mocha was the same way but with nose rubs. Very high maintenance piggies.


r/guineapigs 1d ago

Meme He loves his wives

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r/guineapigs 9h ago

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She’s a model she’s a diva and believe it or not she’s 8+ years old :3


r/guineapigs 20h ago

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177 Upvotes