Guinea Pigs

[NorthernRedneck]

Anyone here have one? Any experience with them? Do they make a good pet? How much maintenance are they?

I was just asked if I would like one for my son for christmas. It comes with the cage, all supplies, food etc. Price is right.

I've never had one before. Are they similar to a ferret in regards to smell? I know that ferrets have that stink to them. Any advice???

 

[JEV]

I hear they make good soup.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

I had them when I was really young. All I remember is that they bred really fast. They were always having babies. Otherwise, they were little fluffy rodents like all the others.

 

[pirate_girl]

They don't stink, but they are loud when they do that little squeaky whistle.



[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRHfReLVWUU&feature=related"]YouTube - Pooh Bear Sings for his Supper[/ame]

 

[Erik]

they're kind of like giant hamsters.
keep the litter clean and they don't stink.
it's easy to get them addicted to carrots - and they can holler loud when they think you're not paying enough attention.
go for it - they're fun pets.
you can also breed them as meat animals - supposedly they taste a lot like rabbit (which is nothing like chicken)

 

[EastTexFrank]

I had one as a kid which was a long time ago. As I recall they were relatively low maintenance and a lot of fun. They could be noisy but usually not. Stick them in a plastic ball and watch them roll around the floor. Don't know what they taste like but probably not too bad. BBQ'd might be best.

 

[Ice Queen]

They are great, but if you don't want them to breed choose the same sex. I had two at one time, but sadly both are now dead. Here are a couple of pictures of Squeak.

 

[JEV]

I could never understand why some people want to keep rodents while other pay to get rid of them. Go figure...

 

[Erik]

it's simple - if a rodent has a long tail, I don't want it in the house.
short tail rodents (rabbit, guinea pig, etc...) are potentially food so they're OK.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

We are heading out in a bit to pick up the little guy. The price was right and he comes fully supplied with cage, food, bowls, wood chips etc. My son doesn't know yet. It's an early christmas present!!!

 

[pirate_girl]

We are heading out in a bit to pick up the little guy. The price was right and he comes fully supplied with cage, food, bowls, wood chips etc. My son doesn't know yet. It's an early christmas present!!!

So? How'd it go?
Do you have pics of the new baby?

 

[NorthernRedneck]

My son was thrilled. He just loves the little guy. He's still a young guinea so he's not quite used to being held and hides allot. I've been reading up on it and apparently you can train them. We shall see how that goes. We still have to figure out a name for the little guy. Any thoughts?

 

[loboloco]

Well, you could always name him BBQ.

 

[pirate_girl]

Chip, or Nick.. since you got him as an early Christmas prezzie?

 

[loboloco]

My daughter had one, and it originally stared out Barbie, but wound up being called UFO.
It got that name because it got loose one day and decided to crawl across my neck while I was asleep. After that, it wouldn't come within 6 ft of my bed.

 

[Big Dog]

Anything the size of a Milkbone round here ain't gonna make it ................

 

[NorthernRedneck]

So...my son came up with a name today while at school. Our dog's name is Hershey(he had it when we got him from the pound). Our new kitten's name is Snickers.(she's got a nutty caramel chocolate look to her) I got home from work and asked him if he thought of a name. He said "Caramel" He likes it! I like it! So, Caramel, it is!!!