Are Guinea Pigs 'easy' Pets?

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Adelle

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If you are thinking of getting a Guinea pig, you should make sure you are equipped with a long term plan.

Guinea pigs aren't as easy to keep as some may think as, like all animals, they age and health problems occur.

If you are lucky to have a healthy Guinea pig, adequate space, a good diet, access to a competent vet and time for TLC is really all you need.

But there is a bigger picture too.

If your piggie is lucky enough to reach a ripe old age, are you prepared for 6+ years of committed ownership, vet bills and care?

With Guinea pigs being social creatures and best kept in pairs or more, this commitment is amplified at least twice over.

I currently have a 7 years 7 month old sow named Fudge who, naturally, has developed age related illness. She is in heart failure and has moderate arthritis in her hips and spine; which both require regular vet visits, expensive medication and close monitoring. This has been the case for 15 months.

Because of a Guinea pigs metabolism, the balance of medications can be tricky and actually mean they require medication more frequently than your standard cat and dog. This creates a bigger commitment as in some cases, like fudge, these medications are vital to maintain a good quality of life and need to be given on time.. Every single day.

I am going away for 24 hours and Fudge will be in very capable hands along with my other pigs. I am preparing her medication and it hit me just how much medication she needs to lead a normal life. These medications require money, and time from me to administer them regularly.

This is what she is receiving from between 5pm today and 5 tomorrow. Meds at 11pm, 11.30pm, 12am; 8am, 11am and 12pm.

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She currently has a UTI, which has added to her medication list for a week due to antibiotics and probiotics. This has resulted in her meds being split into more 'groups' to prevent interactions. Yet again, this is even more time invested as a committed owner.

Please think of the bigger picture. Guinea pigs do grow old too, and they do become ill. They deserve a chance just like any other animal or human.

They aren't 'easy' pets and shouldn't be regarded as such. Please don't take on some Guinea pigs thinking they won't require any care or last very long. They deserve better than that.

Fudge says. "If you are quite finished mum.. Can I have another blueberry?"

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I love fudge , I love reading about her updates and how's she's getting on :love:
 
I also think part of the problem is public perception.
People think because guinea pigs are small and cheap that they are 'simple' pets, and more 'disposable'.
It almost (sadly) makes sense - you are going to invest a lot more in caring for a car that cost 40,000 pounds than one that cost 400 pounds, and I think people often don't seem to be able to differentiate between an inanimate object and a living creature.

In some ways I think guinea pigs are actually more complex to care for than more common pets like cats and dogs.
Firstly it is much harder to find an experienced guinea pig vet, and guinea pig specific medications are not commonly available.
Finding a kennel or cattery when you go away is much easier than funding a good, safe solution for guinea pigs.

Plus guinea pigs are easy to get hold of, and often bought as a pet for a child, who is naturally unable to care for it fully.
Then the responsibility falls to the parent who never really wanted a pet in the first place, and possibly underestimated just how much time, effort and money is involved.

I think it is a real shame, as people often seem to have no idea just how rewarding guinea pigs can be as pets.
I simply can not imagine our ife without them.
 
Cute pigture :)!

That really is a lot of meds and commitment. I love my piggie but he is definitely way more stressful than my hamster, who just cares for himself pretty much.

Guinea pigs are a commitment. I got Oreo (and his passed on cagemate Toffee) about 5 years ago for my 9th birthday, we never realised how much care they would need or how expensive they would become. We have certainly become attached and I love my pets more than anything. I knew a few other guinea pig owners, when I was younger, and I lot of them ended up giving the guinea pigs away because the children got bored and they were too big of a responsibility. I also had friends tease me or be mean to me because I talked about Toffee and Oreo too much. They even joked about them dying.
 
Great post!
I also think people often misinterpret guinea pig behaviour. They are prey animals and are naturally fearful and skittish, as we all know. Alot of new owners expect them to be more than happy to be picked up and cuddled from day 1, and are disappointed when their new pets hide away and don't want to interact at first.
 
Beautifully put, @Adelle! Years ago, pet shops were sweet and fun, and you got a small cage with a small rodent, and the care was simple. They were gifts for young children.
Now, we know that they're just as much work as dogs and cats, and deserve the same treatment. They aren't small cuddly toys, and the buck stops with the parent.
My sister, who's nine, and I look after the piggies, with the exception of fleece-washing and finances. Don't get me wrong, if we were ever ill the rest of the family would take over. The boys have everything they need, too. Well, after a LOT of research!
There are two ways to think of it:
The common misconception: A small, furry, sometimes nervous creature who doesn't require much space and has a simple diet.
The reality: A squeaky, pooping, adorable furball who needs more space than you'd think and has a diet of hay, vegetables, and pellets, all of which should be the best quality.
When we got the pigs, we all thought they'd be less work than a cat or dog. We were wrong. But I don't regret it, and although it can be a burden on mum, deep down she loves them. Especially Duncan's cheeks.
Not every piggy will be like Fudge, of course, but there's still the possibility of them needing medication and special treatment, not everyone bears that in mind. They can live up to eight years, and will always be in your heart. In years to come, will you realise you weren't providing the best care for your companions, and should have done more research? Or will you have a warm glow inside knowing they were spoilt to bits?
The latter, for many people.
I know that if one of my pigs became ill, and needed a lot of meds, it would not be great for me, I'd need some help. But no way would I give up.
They are NOT small, easy creatures that are "great starter pets!" Those three words should never be spoken. There is no "starter pet", all animals need careful, loving care.
I could go on about how misguided people are, but I'm definitely boring you all right now! Give Fudge a kiss and a hug from me, and possibly a blueberry. Also tell her that she is incredibly beautiful, and there's a whole forum of her fans. Seriously, we are a Fudge Fan Club. FFC, EST 2015 or so.
 
I totally sympathise. I honestly had absolutely no idea how hard they are to keep when things go wrong. I have managed to put off so many people from getting them when I tell them my stories (one very, very similar to Fudge) how much they cost and what happens with Gut Stasis etc. The 24/7 care they need, the constant worry. They are genuinely shocked. For some reason believe that just because they are small their vets care will be equally basic and cost less....umm no!

Add to that the support network you need around you to support you including vets who actually know what they are doing and its tough. I adore my guineas and am totally hooked now after 16 years of ownership but i am not sure if I knew then what I know now, I'd have chosen guineas as a 'pet' they are more a lifestyle choice LOL!

BUT they surprise me every single day and not one has not left beautiful, happy memories and equally totally ripped my heart in two when they have passed. I just wish I had been more informed! Thank goodness for this forum.
 
I routinely check out any vet practice I see when driving regarding Guinea pig specialising, just in case I need them in the future.

In fact, I was speaking to some young people two weeks ago about piggy care and one bragged that she knew all about their care. I let her talk and then I spoke about their needs, cage sizes, poo cleans, prepping veg every morning, cuddles, space for a pen, weekly clean of cage, cleaning the run every two days, more cuddles, possible issues such as dental problems, sludge bladder issues, impactation (boars), fall outs, dominance behaviour, etc, etc and that was on top of her school work, socialising with her friends and any house chores!

It was clear that the young person knew nothing, even after telling me that she had been researching for days. She told me days later that she had decided not to get any piggies, at least for the time being, as she needed to do more research, and she had enough to do with schoolwork.

I think I turned her off.
 
I think the problem is that people tend to think of guinea pigs as 'disposable' pets, sometimes little more than toys for kids. Sure a guinea pig is an 'easy' pet if you are not going to provide it with varied nutrition, with free play time, with vet care when it gets sick, etc. If you're going to let your guinea pig live in a small cage, probably alone, and not pay for vet issues until it finally dies of a preventable illness, it's super easy to have a guinea pig! I would never get a pet that I wasn't ready to care for, but I have run up against a lot of people who are baffled that Sundae, my elderly pig who has had lifelong bladder issues and intermittent dental problems, has a vet and regular care and even a couple of surgeries over the years. They say, "It's just a guinea pig. You could get another guinea pig for twenty-five dollars." They're not seeing that having a guinea pig is the same commitment as having a dog or cat. I adopted her, brought her home, and will give her the best care I possibly can for the rest of her life, no excuses. She's worth it! :)
Edited to add: Sundae is on regular meds as well. Whenever I go anywhere, my mom takes care of the pigs. However, if my mom is going with me, I need to find someone else. Last year I left my friend a full printed page giving med doses and schedules, when to up the meds (Sundae is on prophylactic antibiotics for her bladder, but if she shows signs of an infection the schedule has to be dramatically increased), when to see the vet, etc. My friend was shocked at how much there was to it! Fortunately Sundae did fine on her regular meds while we were gone!
 
I agree whole heartily with this thread! I get up everyday earlier than most people would dream of so I have time to wash and change their fleece , fill water bottle add supplements to it , replenish their nuggets ( of course burgess excel :inn:) let them have a run around in their own pen , change the set up so they have different enrichment activities , fill up a box for of hay for them to snuggle in. Cut up a bowl full of fresh veg. Not to mention checking the temperature of the spare room ( in which I'm lucky enough to let them have free rein supervised of course) and if it's below a certain temperature I crank up the heating till it's a good temp for them..

Also in the summer to put them out in the run making sure it's escape proof , making sure they have shade and enough hidey holes.

Not to mention the health checks I do with them everyday to make sure nothing has gone in their eyes over night , making sure their teeth are being kept a good length by providing chews , making sure their nails are the right length . Not to mention double checking that the boys are still getting on as well as ever ( not much of a problem for me as their so laid back BUT for many people this isn't)

Having GPS is a very big commitment , their emotional needs and physical needs take priority over anything in my life . When I bought them I'm promised them I would give them the best life in my power and I will keep that promise . My boys are everything to me :luv:

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Oh @Adelle I empathise with all the medications. For my last holiday I had to do a spreadsheet for my pet sitter with all the medications on it, she had to have a sit down when she saw it! This is a great thread, thank you
 
This is a reality check,ive had to look after very ill piggies feeding critical care 3 hourly for 6 months.It is emotionally draining,ive had life experience,nothing prepares one for the time emotion, it takes in looking after piggies.Guinea pigs have brought alot of fun into my life.if i was able to i would have a career change.this should be made into a sticky to maybe give new owners the real responsibilities of piggie keeping.:)
 
Brilliantly put ! Just this week I have heard of someone buying their kids 2 guinea pigs, 5 minutes later, they are bored of them .... Another someone has had them for about a year and now they have a new puppy - kids aren't interested in them :(
Breaks my heart..... a friend of my 12 year old daughter mentioned they want guinea pigs.... she has been giving him loads of information to dispel the common myths about their needs ...... I told her to tell her friend they would be better suited to a dog lol !
 
Fantastic post and definitely needs to be stickied to help change the general publics perception on owning these wonderful creatures.

Oh and "all hail Queen Fudge"
 
artcasper said:
Brilliantly put ! Just this week I have heard of someone buying their kids 2 guinea pigs, 5 minutes later, they are bored of them .... Another someone has had them for about a year and now they have a new puppy - kids aren't interested in them :(
Breaks my heart..... a friend of my 12 year old daughter mentioned they want guinea pigs.... she has been giving him loads of information to dispel the common myths about their needs ...... I told her to tell her friend they would be better suited to a dog lol !
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I'm always really saddened when parents get any type of pet 'for the kids'. Ultimately, the child/children aren't going to be financially or practically responsible. And children's maturity and commitment levels vary so much - sadly, some parents and their children think a cute, cuddly furry (or colourful fish) are a sweet idea, almost like an interactive toy.

Sadly, my niece falls into this category. My sister bought a hamster. She asked my advice, it was between that and fish, I advised fish (not goldfish, they actually require more care than people realise). I suggested a small tropical tank but my sister was put off by the initial set up process (she's inherently lazy :( ) So hamster it was, as she wanted 'something she can hold'. Of course, the poor hamster has been dumped in the cage (it's a nice size one - one thing she did listen to me about!) with little interaction, and my sister complains that the hamster is only active after my niece has gone to bed :roll:

My niece came over to see my piggies, had a cuddle and said "don't they bite? Cos Rosy (the hamster) bit me cos she's naughty" :soz:

Turns out my niece (who's just turned 7) was unsupervised and put her hand in the cage. Next thing, my sister hears my niece scream and has now branded the hamster vicious, and of course my niece is now scared of it.

My niece is crying out for something like my piggies as she's very caring but has nothing in the way of parental support or guidance in this :(

If parents want pets 'for' their children, it's vital it's seen as a family commitment, which begins way before the pet joins the family - research into the type of pet (if any!) that are suitable for the family schedule, get a good understanding of the nature, behaviour and needs of the animal... sounds obvious, but is often overlooked as 'boring' due to the 'cute' factor :(
 
Tiny said:
I'm always really saddened when parents get any type of pet 'for the kids'. Ultimately, the child/children aren't going to be financially or practically responsible. And children's maturity and commitment levels vary so much - sadly, some parents and their children think a cute, cuddly furry (or colourful fish) are a sweet idea, almost like an interactive toy.

Sadly, my niece falls into this category. My sister bought a hamster. She asked my advice, it was between that and fish, I advised fish (not goldfish, they actually require more care than people realise). I suggested a small tropical tank but my sister was put off by the initial set up process (she's inherently lazy :( ) So hamster it was, as she wanted 'something she can hold'. Of course, the poor hamster has been dumped in the cage (it's a nice size one - one thing she did listen to me about!) with little interaction, and my sister complains that the hamster is only active after my niece has gone to bed :roll:

My niece came over to see my piggies, had a cuddle and said "don't they bite? Cos Rosy (the hamster) bit me cos she's naughty" :soz:

Turns out my niece (who's just turned 7) was unsupervised and put her hand in the cage. Next thing, my sister hears my niece scream and has now branded the hamster vicious, and of course my niece is now scared of it.

My niece is crying out for something like my piggies as she's very caring but has nothing in the way of parental support or guidance in this :(

If parents want pets 'for' their children, it's vital it's seen as a family commitment, which begins way before the pet joins the family - research into the type of pet (if any!) that are suitable for the family schedule, get a good understanding of the nature, behaviour and needs of the animal... sounds obvious, but is often overlooked as 'boring' due to the 'cute' factor :(
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With you on that, my coworkers got guinea pigs for their kids a while back. The kids never did anything with the piggies because "They don't like me they always run away". Anyway long story short, the piggies were given up because the kids decided they wanted a puppy instead so the family rehomed the piggies and got a dog. Of course the kids never do anything for the dog either.
It's sad but the only lesson I saw the kids being taught there was "It's ok we'll just get rid of a pet when it is no longer wanted and swap it for a new pet."

The animals in my house belong to the adults even if kids think they are theirs. Adults do all the cleaning out/daily care (feeding and cleaning is helped by little hands who want to join in, but supervised) and supervised handling.
 
Wholeheartedly agree with all the above. I am responsible for all the piggy care too, but also involve the kids in doing what they can. I totally agree that they are not "easy pets" and I spend quite a lot of my time on their care. I also never realised just how much I would fall in love with them! I think this forum has helped with that journey enormously. All the advice here has helped me to get to know and love their funny little ways and understand them better, which has been richly rewarded. I think the community here does a much-needed job in educating piggy owners. It's all too easy to buy small pets; it takes effort and patience to build a relationship with them and meet their needs.
 
Easy pets eh?

I get up 45 minutes earlier than I would so I can feed and clean out the pigs

I haven't been in holiday for over 7 years as the pigs need daily feeding and there are very few good boarding facilities for them

I have to go veg shopping multiple times a week so they have fresh food.

I'm not complaining as it's ultimately my choice and I wouldn't change it but they're definitely not an easy pet.

This week I've had to use a days holiday to go to the vet, have paid over £200 for one of the pigs, got up a few times on Thursday night to give him med's and feed him.

And today, Sunday, the day of rest I was up at 7.20 as one of them needs nebulising.

Again, I'm not complaining as I'd do anything for them but it's far from easy.
 
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