after a recent post asking for advice on getting a 2nd pet i was drawn to the idea of rats and am still looking into this. however have been looking at guinea pigs as an indoor pet and kow v little about them. wondered if someone could offer some advice on what kind of pets they make, ease of care, expense, ease of handling ect. bearing in mind i am an inexperienced owner of any small pets but do have a dog......

try here give you some idea http://www.kornage.co.uk/guinea_pig_pre_owning.htm

Hi, if you would like to come round sometime I have plenty of guinea pigs for you to handle and see if you like them. They are very addictive. I've just had a litter born as well so you can even handle babies. Pm me if interested :)

Diamond guinea pigs have got to be the best pets in the world. They rarely bite, are pretty cheap to feed and and best of all, they talk to you (well mine do anyway!)

I'd advise you read up on them first, about their diets (they can't produce vitamin C, like humans) and find a good piggy savvy vet (mine's very good, took me 3 years to find though!)

I'd take Helen up on her offer and go and see some, handle them and see what you think. For first time owners I usually suggest going for the slightly older pig and not babies because they are used to being handled and are often more confident. Most breeders let ex breeding stock go to retirement homes once they've given good babies. I do this especially because I like to think they are getting pampered after a show career and maternity duties :)

If you have any questions please feel free to ask here or in PM, I'm happy to answer anything

You're right peaches, mine talk to me too :). They're wonderful pets but I didn't realise how addictive they would be when I took on my first male from pigger. I've still got a soft spot for him,milo, and everyone who comes is immediately drawn to him, he's such a cheeky little man. I love him to bits.

You're not meant to have favourites, thats not fair to the rest :hihi:

(I have my special indoor girl she's in a big 120 next to me :hihi:)

Guinea pigs talk to you?
Sorry if I sound totally stupid here - but as in the english language? I know im probably going to get the eyerolls and stuff, but do they?
I want a piggy :( Have done for ages - but he wont let me. We all know who 'he' is :hihi:

No, Guinea Pigs don't speak English.

Well I have to agree with Peaches and Helen guinea pigs have to make the best pets out of all the rodents I have had over time. They all have individual personalities and you'll never forget to feed them their veggies as mine wheek as soon as I open the back door. They make different sound meaning different things which you'll soon get to learn.

As for the care if you have a couple they will need veggies/ dry food/ water on a daily basis. I would recommend a 4ft hutch or larger if you can afford it. I tend to line the bottom with newspaper and the put a layer of woodshavings on top and they thy need hay and lots of it. I clean mine out regularly not a full clean everyday but I do pick out the droppings most days and do a full clean twice a week.

Cost
I buy everything in bulk as it is cheape that way for the amount of piggies I have. I think for veggies/ bedding/ hay/dry food for 2 piggies it is going to cost you no more than £20 per month maybe less. The most expensive part will be the setup.
They can be kept indoors or outdoors. Baring in mind that if you do decide to get some and they are indoors then you wont be able to put them outside now until the weather gets warmer again.

They arn't the cheapest rodent to keep but I get a lot of pleasure out of my piggies compared to other rodents I have kept in the past. So well worth every penny. You can even take them to the local shows. These are very fun as you get to meet people with similar interests and get to see the different breeds. (There are some very fancy varieties)

Mine all love a good brush and an occassional bath help prevent them from getting lice/mites.

As for handling, as Peaches says you would be better with an older pig as they tend to be less skitish. If you want pedigrees I would recommend Rex, they are VERY laid back compared to some breeds like himilayans (thats what Iv found anyway). I have some Rex piggies if you want to see some and some younger one who are 5 weeks old on Thursday.

If you have any more questions please dont hesitate to ask and Im sure we will be able to help you. I would suggest that you do buy from a breeder like myself/Helen or Peaches and come and visit either of us to see whether they are the pet for you.

Guinea pigs talk to you?
Sorry if I sound totally stupid here - but as in the english language? I know im probably going to get the eyerolls and stuff, but do they?
I want a piggy :( Have done for ages - but he wont let me. We all know who 'he' is :hihi:

They wheeeek at you :hihi:

Ahh right - see im thick. I thought you was all saying that they ask you how you are and stuff :hihi:

Sorry - its too early to function.

I would love a few piggys but its the hutch and stuff that we cant afford at the minute! And he says he wouldnt do anything with them if I for any reason couldnt see to them!

thanks for all the replies sure ill be back with lots more questions helensaq thanks for the kind offer i have pmd you

Let us know what you decide to do.

i will i am between rats and piggies atm? rats seem to be cheaper and need less time out of the cage. i worry that the piggie would need to be out lots and i have got diamond havent i?

Rats need a good hour a day free ranging - I'm not sure what piggie requirements are :)

Have pm'd you diamond123 :)

I have read that piggys need 4hours per day. But im not sure how that will work with winter on its way. Its staring to get too cold to put them out in the run during the day has anyone any ideas? They would be able to come into the house due as it will be too warm so what are you meant to do if like me you dont have a shed?

I adore guinea pigs. My daughter has just taken on management of a local pub, so has moved out and has got herself a guinea pig to keep her company at night ... and keep the ghosts away. I have to keep going down to give my "grandson" a cuddle!

I'd have one in a heartbeat but my husband says it wouldnt be fair on our two bunnies and would spoil the status quo.

My pigs don't often get four hours free ranging time a day. In the summer they get lots-we take them outside into the garden in their run, but in winter it's simply not feasible to do so. They do get time out in the house though, obviously. One of mine, LP, HATES coming out of his cage though, even for a cuddle, whereas William and Jack can't wait to be set free, they'll be hanging out of teh cage door whilst you are opening it :)

As for the expense-if you get veggies from the market, or time your shopping trips to coincide with when everything is getting reduced, they don't have to cost the earth to keep in fresh food ;)

Just one for everyone, if you go to castle market in the fish bit theres a fruit and veg stall called Stuarts that have, cheaper, fruit/veg. They also accept healthy start vouchers if you get them, for the kiddies and well, ive always got loads left over near the end of the month so I go there, spend them and the rabbits have a feast :)

Free range time is basically pants in all honesty. Some days mine don't get out for whatever reason, it doesn't harm them in any way.

When the weather is good though they get lots of time outside and if its really bad or getting cold they get graze - on which is freeze dried grass.

I keep 40 pigs give or take at any one time, do you think I'd manage free range time for all them at an hour each? :hihi:

Free range time is basically pants in all honesty. Some days mine don't get out for whatever reason, it doesn't harm them in any way.

When the weather is good though they get lots of time outside and if its really bad or getting cold they get graze - on which is freeze dried grass.

I keep 40 pigs give or take at any one time, do you think I'd manage free range time for all them at an hour each? :hihi:

Thanks for that peaches, I don't feel so guilty now. I struggle in this weather to put all mine out everyday but they all get veggies and cuddles everyday :)

helensaq i pmd you earlier let me know

Thanks for that peaches, I don't feel so guilty now. I struggle in this weather to put all mine out everyday but they all get veggies and cuddles everyday :)

I'n this weather its probably more detrimental than helpful really, damp floor and pigs having their vitals in thier chest, they lose heat quickly thats why I get the graze on, even if they go out they get a good few handfuls in each cage keep them slightly chubby :hihi: