Guinea pigs are easy to care for when compared to other popular pets, but
they do still need some daily, weekly and monthly care
. Depending on your equipment, you can expect to spend about an average of ten to fifteen minutes a day on guinea pig maintenance.
Do guinea pigs require a lot of maintenance?
Guinea pigs need to be groomed regularly
. Shorthaired breeds can be maintained with a once-a-week brushing while longhaired breeds require daily grooming. A guinea pig’s cage should be thoroughly cleaned on a weekly basis and spot-cleaned every few days.
How hard is it to take care of a guinea pig?
Guinea Pigs Are Generally Easy to Tame
While guinea pigs may be nervous or skittish at first, with consistent gentle handling, they usually become tame very easily. Careful handling is a must, and children should be supervised with them, but they are unlikely to bite even when stressed.
Why you shouldn’t get a guinea pig?
Your fluffy pet will become bald and scabby overnight and become prone to seizures
. Five: their teeth are another hazard – if they get too long, they can grow together and the guinea pig will starve to death. Six: guinea pigs get stressed. Loud noises and other animals scare them.
How expensive are guinea pigs monthly?
Guinea pigs can be much more expensive than you might have guessed. Although they’re small, their food isn’t especially cheap, and much like rabbits, they’ll need a regular supply of bedding and hay. Between the bedding, hay, pellets, and fresh produce, you’re looking at
$40-$60
in monthly costs.
What’s the cleanest pet to have?
- Budgies. Budgies are a great pet option as they are very easy to look after. …
- Hamsters. The benefit of having a hamster is that they are incredibly easy to look after. …
- Guinea pigs. …
- Cats. …
- Dogs.
Are guinea pigs cuddly?
Even though guinea pigs are
super cuddly little animals
and love spending time with their humans, they need gentle handling. They also don’t like loud noises, so they aren’t always the best pets for young children.
Do guinea pigs stink?
In a nutshell,
guinea pigs shouldn’t smell
. If they are giving off an unpleasant odour, it’s usually a sign that the cage isn’t clean, their diet is wrong, they’re sick, or they’re struggling to groom themselves. Also, boars may smell more than sows because of an oily buildup around the grease gland.
What is a low maintenance pet?
- Hamsters. Taking care of a hamster is easy once they have the proper cage. …
- Goldfish. Ahh, the goldfish. …
- Guinea pigs. If you are looking for a pet that will be as happy to see you as you are to see them, a guinea pig is a great option. …
- Sea Monkeys. Ever heard of them? …
- Snakes. …
- Birds.
Are female or male guinea pigs nicer?
Both have similar temperaments although
males often have a bolder personality
, making them easier to handle. It can often be easier to find a suitable companion for a female guinea pig though as they tend to be more amenable with their guinea pig friends.
Are guinea pigs noisy?
Guinea pigs also make noises similar to the “purr” of a cat – but this noise tends to sound a bit more like a grumble
. Associated with happiness or contentedness in your pig, it’s often heard when you’re bonding with your pet, like when you’re grooming or patting them.
Do guinea pigs poop a lot?
The answer to this question is a resounding YES!
Guinea pigs poop a lot
. They’re e always eating and their digestive system moves very quickly. If you stick to the high-fiber diet that your piggies need, you can expect them to poop anywhere from 100 to 300 times each day.
Do guinea pigs like to be petted?
Most guinea pigs prefer a good scratch behind the ears or gentle petting on the back
. Find the level of contact your pet is most comfortable with, and he will grow to enjoy his time out of the cage.
Are guinea pigs loud at night?
Anyone who has tried to sleep in the same room as a guinea pig cage knows that
the little rodents can be noisemakers at night
. While you may not be able to get them to match your sleep schedule, you can take a few steps to minimize their activity during the overnight hours.
Are guinea pigs expensive?
Guinea pigs are pretty cheap to buy, costing anywhere from $10 to $40, with the average price of a guinea pig being around $25
. However, they also have setup and ongoing costs. Expect to fork out $200 to begin with, and then up to another $40 a month for a pair of piggies.
What is the cheapest animal to own?
- Hermit Crab. They may not the cuddliest option on the list, but hermit crabs can make for great pets if you’re looking for an inexpensive, low-maintenance and laid-back companion. …
- Goldfish. …
- Budgerigar. …
- Leopard Gecko. …
- Guinea Pig.
Do guinea pigs need shots?
While guinea pigs
do not require any vaccinations
, it is recommended that you take your pet to a veterinarian familiar with guinea pigs at least once each year for a routine checkup.
Should I get a rabbit or a guinea pig?
Rabbits have more personality and make better companion pets
. They also have more complex needs, so guinea pigs are less of a responsibility than rabbits. If you have time and can adhere to a schedule, rabbits are excellent company. Guinea pigs are less demanding family pets.
What is the hardest pet to take care of?
- Why are some animals harder to treat than others? …
- Pigs. …
- Song birds. …
- Hamsters. …
- Rattlesnakes. …
- Turtles and tortoises. …
- Exotic animals. …
- The bottom line.
What is a good starter pet?
According to Dr. Lianne McLeod, the veterinary guide for exotic pets at about.com, top seven are:
guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, mice, lepard geckos, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
. Other animal-care professionals promote birds or fish as ideal first pets for children.
How much is a guinea pig?
Guinea pigs usually cost
between $10 and $40
, and you will need at least two. There are lots of guinea pigs without a home in pet shelters, so source your pets there if possible.
Should I get 2 guinea pigs or 1?
Guinea Pigs Should Always Be Adopted as a Pair
It isn’t healthy for them to be alone—they need a companion of their own species they can “talk,” play, and cuddle with. Companionship is so vital to their well-being that Switzerland has made it illegal to keep only one.
Can you sleep with guinea pigs?
You should never share a bed with your guinea pig
. Even if you don’t mind waking up in a pile of guinea pig poop, it’s way too dangerous for your little cavy.
How do guinea pigs like to be held?
Guinea pigs are social animals and enjoy human interaction, including
petting, stroking and playing
. However, it’s important you learn how to handle your guinea pig correctly to avoid any injuries. It’s not uncommon for guinea pigs to be skittish around their owners.
Do guinea pigs cry?
Guinea Pigs Don’t Cry Like Humans Do
The first thing to understand is that a guinea pig crying is different from a human crying. When a human cries, you might hear sobbing noises, but you’ll also see tears running down their cheeks.
Does female guinea pigs have periods?
Female guinea pigs have estrous cycles in which they go into heat several times a year for several days, with different stages. However,
they don’t experience bleeding or periods as in a menstrual cycle
. While they are in heat, they are fertile and go through spontaneous ovulation.
Can you litter train a guinea pig?
Guinea pigs can be trained to go to the bathroom in a litter box
. Some get the hang of it quickly, while some never learn. That’s just how it is. Just remember that it’s not your guinea pig’s fault if they poop outside the litter box – sometimes they can have accidents or simply forget.
