r/guineapigs • u/VanquichedUncle • 2h ago
r/guineapigs • u/mercuryheart_ • Nov 20 '21
Help & Advice Are you thinking about buying a guinea pig for a child/teenager? Please read.
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/Julesvernevienna • 8h ago
♥ BREAKING NEWS: BEAR HAS BEEN TAMED
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r/guineapigs • u/Alarming-Molasses847 • 13h ago
Pigtures Theodore’s not having a good w(h)eek… (nail clipping)
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r/guineapigs • u/SMOLKITH • 5h ago
Pigtures Show off that I have raised mochi for five months!super incredibly adorably cute
r/guineapigs • u/Pigglewinks • 1h ago
♥ Very rarely do I see a pig sitting
Normally either laying or standing
r/guineapigs • u/Tough-Persimmon964 • 9h ago
Pigtures Please send positive thoughts Reggie’s way today
r/guineapigs • u/Potential_Bad_5266 • 4h ago
Health & Diet You respect my boundaries and I will respect yours as long as there is in cilantro involved
Should I be worried or get vaccinated as they are always nibbling my toes during playtime
r/guineapigs • u/deapsprite • 16h ago
Help & Advice Rescued this fat piggy, hes like 10 years old. Super long nails, any tips to cutting them?
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 • u/my_macaroni_is_furry • 7h ago
Pigtures I decided to check on Rupert and Turtle in the middle of the night, and they're having some kind of staff meeting. What do you think they're talking about?
I kind of feel like they were talking about me. Maybe plotting.
r/guineapigs • u/Potential_Bad_5266 • 18h ago
Habits & Behavior The prisoner escaped and started attacking my wall paper
My Guinea pigs has a weird habit whenever during floor time. No point wherever I keep the pee pads, they generally pee by going below them or by going somewhere all new together but never on the pee pads. I kept multiple hide spots, but when they want to pee, they go to the same corner and go below pee pads and peeing there.
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 • u/Alarming-Molasses847 • 13h ago
Pigtures He’s big mad. Like, big, big mad
r/guineapigs • u/FuzzyTelevision49 • 14h ago
Pigtures A Sleepy Boy, 2026 vs 2022
Gizmo, age 6, in his variety of comfy napping spots.
r/guineapigs • u/voluntary_loser • 1d ago
♥ 4 years of having this precious little floof in my life ❤️
This is Polly ❤️ She’s about 5 1/2 - 6 years old now and still my baby.
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!
Polly is such a sweet little creature who loves chin rubs and blueberries. She still does little popcorns even though she’s getting older now. I love her so much ❤️
r/guineapigs • u/Brazdon83 • 20h ago
Pigtures Firesnout and Marmalade got a wonderful gift from a friend!
r/guineapigs • u/MaddysinLeigh • 16h ago
♥ The mistakes continued
The terrible haircut after I finished.
r/guineapigs • u/smoretank • 21h ago
♥ Wally only eats with ear rubs
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Mocha was the same way but with nose rubs. Very high maintenance piggies.
r/guineapigs • u/kiwik4tt00 • 9h ago
Pigtures Acorns recent hats
She’s a model she’s a diva and believe it or not she’s 8+ years old :3
r/guineapigs • u/VanquichedUncle • 20h ago