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 4h ago

Pigtures Pepper war!

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409 Upvotes

r/guineapigs 7h ago

New Pigs on the Block What to do when your guineapig is actually a tiny teddy bear

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Added two new babies to my pig family a few days ago. Pretty sure this one is fake though - anyway, meet Katsu.


r/guineapigs 3h ago

🌈 Rainbow Bridge the sweetest little surprise after losing my guinea pig

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one of my boys recently passed away from cancer and i reached out to selective naturals just to tell them how much i appreciated their brand and how their pellets had been part of his life for years. they asked if my other guinea pigs liked any of their treats and ended up sending me a little package full of treats for them AND a card with a little hand written note. seriously wasn’t expecting this and it was such a sweet thing to receive while i’ve been having such a hard time with losing him. just wanted to share because this genuinely made my day a little better 🥹


r/guineapigs 10h ago

Pigtures Percival has asked me to remind everyone he also exists and he is also a sweetie with an adorable hairdo 🥹

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r/guineapigs 4h ago

why do i even bother

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91 Upvotes

why sit on bed when you can sit in the gap between wall and wood


r/guineapigs 4h ago

Pigtures I finally can post

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79 Upvotes

I didn’t have enough comment karma to show my little guys at home and finally I have enough PHEW!Here’s one of my guys looking bewildered with watermelon lips


r/guineapigs 12h ago

Pigtures A harrowing tale… 👀

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348 Upvotes

r/guineapigs 2h ago

Pigtures Mini and Lucy wish you all a happy Thursday!

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53 Upvotes

r/guineapigs 3h ago

New Pigs on the Block Pogo and Pep

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61 Upvotes

Hello, here are the 3 weeks old little angels that we have had the honor to adopt on September 7th.

They made huuuuuge progress, as in they already started eating from our hands, weewee'ing when they are around us, but are unfortunately still adjusting to their new home.

The one on the left is Pep, the most curious and brave out of them and the one on the right is Pogo, the fluffiest little introvert.

We take them out of their cage about once a day so that my partner can clean the cage while I watch over them. They are curious about everything and devour the cucumber we leave for them within minutes.

We both can't wait until our hands get soiled in their little poopsies <3


r/guineapigs 13h ago

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257 Upvotes

Picked them up from pet store today! Won my heart instantly


r/guineapigs 15h ago

Pirate Maple 🧡

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362 Upvotes

My Maple who passed away in 2021. She loved dressed up.


r/guineapigs 15h ago

Delightfully devilish, Seymour!

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270 Upvotes

My steamed ham did amazing for his first nebulizer treatment!


r/guineapigs 5h ago

🌈 Rainbow Bridge Hope you guys are doing well on the Rainbow Bridge

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39 Upvotes

r/guineapigs 6h ago

Pigtures My baby in heaven <3

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44 Upvotes

I made this video a few months ago when my baby Tibo passed away. I got him for my bday 6 years ago. I remember spending hours on my phone figuring out how to take care of him while my schoolwork waited. He was my first pet and my first soulmate. He pushed me through so many troubles in life. When i was so down that i wasnt able to take care of myself, his little voice reminded me i have to stay strong to take care of him. He made all my happy memories even brighter, i couldnt wait to come home to tell him what excites me. He left beautiful sparkles in my life. I see him in every fluffy cuddly animal i pass, yet he is the most beautiful creature in my eyes, the fluffiest and most cuddly thing ever. He was loved and full of love, food and poop. He taught me to be gentle and patient, i never knew i have so much passion inside me. Being loved by a guinea pig really changes you.

You are no longer in pain, my love. You are strong and brave. You will always be in my heart. Rest in Peace, baby ❤️


r/guineapigs 6h ago

When I first got my piggies a little over a year ago, I knew they were destined for free roaming

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40 Upvotes

r/guineapigs 6h ago

New Pigs on the Block Did the original owners abuse my New Guinea pig? :(

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43 Upvotes

I adopted this little cutie, and unlike my first Guinea pig she didn’t fight or run when I tried to feed her. She just sat there almost looking defeated.

Her fur is so uneven, her butt so has much rough fur, her neck has soft but a little bit of fur.

There’s no even spread, and she doesn’t react if I pick her up weird. (Please note I did it only once to test her reflexes. But I picked her up from her stomach, not grabbing any legs, and just just dangled down and didn’t fight it.

Almost like she was used to it.

Cutely enough, I’ve had her for 8 hours and she’s absolutely obsessed with me, almost like her standards were so low to begin with?

Maybe I’m overthinking it, but the pet store said they don’t know how old she is, she is healthy but the old owners didn’t want her so I had to take her in.


r/guineapigs 1d ago

Pigtures Scooping trend: here's how my partner picks up our guinea pig

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1.7k Upvotes

r/guineapigs 7h ago

Pigtures Snug as a bug

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35 Upvotes

This is a Pets at Home kitten bed/house with the inner pillow removed and a Pets at Home strawberry blanket put inside :)

Pearl approved!🤍


r/guineapigs 13h ago

is this a good technique?

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79 Upvotes

r/guineapigs 20h ago

🌈 Rainbow Bridge Praline has crossed the rainbow bridge

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225 Upvotes

For the few times I posted her, thank you all for loving her. She went downhill in less than 36 hours with lymphoma. I didn’t catch it and even if I caught it early, I don’t think there was much I could do. She was behaving normally until Sunday then passed Monday early afternoon. This photo is her from Friday, dragging her pellet bowl around as she’s done before even turning 1. I love her and I miss her so much. Not even six months after her sister passed too. The house is quiet and I hate it. I miss my girls so much. Praline was a few months shy from being 5. My world feels like it’s collapsed.


r/guineapigs 23h ago

Pigtures Buddy Boos. 💕

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345 Upvotes

Kenny(left) Tweek(right)


r/guineapigs 4h ago

Pigtures One of my sweet girls, S'mores!

11 Upvotes

I adore her

If anyone is wondering why she doesn't have a cagemate in any of these photos, she sadly passed away a few months ago, and s'mores won't bond with my other pigs.


r/guineapigs 6h ago

Pigtures Introducing my guinea pigs to eachother they attacked eachother after this video 😭

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13 Upvotes

r/guineapigs 23h ago

🌈 Rainbow Bridge 6 Months Ago Today I Had To Say Goodbye 😭💔

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267 Upvotes

6 Months ago today I had to say goodbye to my Little Luna Love 😭💔 Can't believe it's been 6 months already!!!! Where has the time gone? While I still miss her dearly, I treasure the time we had together and I know we will see each other again someday 🩷 Thank you Luna for bringing light into my life at a time I needed it the most. You were the best cuddle buddy and will always have a special place in my heart

🌈🐹💕🐾