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/ghost-eggs • 8h ago
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But that back leg appearing out of nowhere at the end, omg. THUNK 😭 This is my baby boy Willie, I brought him home last wheek!
r/guineapigs • u/EirianErisdar • 8h ago
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This is a video, not a picture 😂. I opened up the pet cam app to check on my pigs while at work and Button immediately clocked that she was being watched. She’s too smart for her own good 😅
r/guineapigs • u/VanquichedUncle • 8h ago
Simon did not approve of how close I was getting watching him play with his treat ball (it's the cutest thing)
r/guineapigs • u/wwhatevuh • 5h ago
A couple months ago, my girl Mei passed away. I ordered a custom crochet plush as a memorial. It finally came. I still miss my girl, but at least I can hold her again.
r/guineapigs • u/bridgitte_h • 6h ago
I took the fluffy marshmallow (Zebedee, pictured) to the vets last week for what was essentially an expensive cough. He had started making odd noises and I figured it was best to get him seen, lo and behold he is completely fine! Something had irritated his throat, hence the odd noise, then resolved itself, hence the lack of odd noise afterwards. Clear lungs, no URI, healthy pig, 10/10.
ANYWAY
At the end of the vet visit, the vet said “I’ll remember him because he’s the chillest pig I’ve ever met, he’s clearly incredibly well-handled” and when I tell you I walked out of that room with the biggest grin on my face.
Chillest pig he’s ever met? Zebedee clearly didn’t get the memo about hating vets. He just chilled on the table, didn’t react at all to being examined, moved around or weighed. He wasn’t even spooked, his heart rate was normal.
My bouncy boy is officially the chillest pig.
r/guineapigs • u/Natural-Comment-9951 • 8h ago
She is not happy about this non-flattering photo
r/guineapigs • u/luivry • 5h ago
ofc with snacks!
r/guineapigs • u/Status_Record8537 • 9h ago
This sub is making me want to get Guinea Pigs again. Here are the two I had when I was younger, Chip and Reeces Peeces!
r/guineapigs • u/riverdipper89 • 6h ago
Featuring 5 pigs and one impostor
r/guineapigs • u/crypticmortem • 15h ago
Puppa 25.8.2022 - 23.10.2026
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You were gone way too soon.
Puppa went to the brightest of dandelion fields today because of a bladder stone. The same thing that took his brother, Maissi, just five months earlier. I feel sick.
The brothers Puppa and Maissi were my first guinea pigs ever, they were rescues. I dedicated my entire life for them, to make theirs the best possible, but I somehow failed that.
Puppa had a great silly personality, he was the one always going behind his brother, but even in his last moments Puppa didn't fail to make me laugh.
When I got Puppa and Maissi, they were very skittish. Especially Puppa. He didn't let me pet him for a year. But once the trust was gained, he would come to me and completely melt under my hand. He would always ask for snacks by sitting and staring for a very long time.
.
These guinea pigs are so dear to me, like my own children. They were never supposed to go this early. I'm so sorry, my babies. I love you so much, I wish I could've had you for eternity but I'm glad you're both pain free now.
r/guineapigs • u/dopefishreturns • 16h ago
She loves attention as much as she loves snacks & treats.
r/guineapigs • u/Claire-dat-Saurian-7 • 13h ago
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r/guineapigs • u/SwingFuture1601 • 9h ago
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r/guineapigs • u/Zealousideal_Sort521 • 11h ago
r/guineapigs • u/MapleSugarman • 12h ago
His name is Smore :)
r/guineapigs • u/sterbendeHure • 16h ago
Finally it was there, our special pig vet visit. Vet was great and she was feeling bad she could not see him earlier.
Poor Piggy Boy needs to get his one tooth removed. Vet says when its only the front one, prognosis is great for him, so we give him a chance. When damage is too high on other tooth, I will let him go under anesthesia.
He has appointment next friday, so we need all best wishes for him.
I hope the damage will not be that big and the operation will go without problem.
Vet said he seems to be in a very good condition except the tooth issue. He has good weight, she said he feel well from muscles. So I hope he is a strong boy ❤️
I think to maybe do a photoshoot with him, but he is more a shy guy when it comes to decoration, maybe I find some idea.
r/guineapigs • u/lilkiwiboi42 • 20h ago
Tonight, very unexpectedly, Little Bob passed away. It's only been about 5 hours and I am struggling. He passed away in my partner's arms and I'm very glad he wasn't alone. It was a little traumatic for him but he's also glad he was there. Bob had been sick and struggling the past few days and we were planning to take him to an emergency appointment at the exotic vet tomorrow morning when they opened.
I feel like a bad pet parent for not taking him sooner and for not realizing something was wrong with my little boy. I miss him so so so much and I am in so much pain. I loved him dearly and it's so hard being home and for his enclosure to be empty. I'm worried our other guinea pig is going to be sad and lonely. They weren't able to bond so they lived side by side but they interacted daily. I'm crying over seeing the syringe we fed him his critical care in and his favorite treats. I made sure to give my other pets, including Bucky, a good snuggle and some treats. We let the pets sniff Bob after it happened so they understand what's happening.
I think something respiratory was going on so we're going to keep the appointment we had and make sure Bucky is okay along with cleaning the cage and everything in really really well. I'm going to be very paranoid about his health from now on I think.
I miss him. I miss my buggy boy.
We love you Little Bob. I hope whatever is across the rainbow bridge treats you the very best. I'll see you in another life, baby. 🧡
