Is a Guinea Pig a Good Pet?
I've gone through a handful of guinea pigs (not by my choice) and not one of them showed themselves worthy as being a fun pet! They all do the same thing. They sit in one corner of their cage/play pen and never move. They will literally sit in their own feces/urine for nearly 24 hours straight. If you give them a little "guinea house," they will hide in that little house so much that you'll often have to peek inside it to make sure that they are still alive.
It seemed that no matter how much we fed them, pet them, held them, and let them roam free around the living room, they never warmed up to us. After three months, they still act paranoid when they see me walk toward them. Upon seeing me, they immediately run to the nearest corner or hole that they can find. I'm not a mean pet owner. I'm as gentle as they come when it comes to pet owners, yet these little guys are still paranoid by the sight of me. I occasionally let them free to roam in the living room so they can entertain me by running around and exploring, but no, they don't do that. They usually just run straight to the corner of the living room and hide behind the couch or squeeze their little bodies under the TV stand. I hate it when they do that! I have to literally lift the TV stand (which is very heavy) from the floor in order to retrieve these rodents!
The only thing that I like about guinea pigs is that if they go to the bathroom on the carpet, it's very easy to clean. Their "droppings" come in the form of hard, dry pellets, so it's never too messy or time consuming to clean up. But other than that, I think I'd rather have a cat or dog!
Who knows, maybe it's just me. Maybe other guinea pig owners have different stories. If they do, then more power to them. I am simply writing this blog for any prospective guinea pig owners. If you expect to have a warm, affectionate and playful guinea pig, then there is a good chance that you may be disappointed.
With all of that being said, guinea pigs are still cute and I understand the temptation to bring one or two home with you. But if you do by chance get yourself some guinea pigs, and it doesn't work out the way you planned, then don't say I didn't warn you!
Published by Brian Munger
Brian Munger is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and holds active membership status with the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW). Munger is the owner/CEO of Resume Phenom, LLC, a c... View profile
- Guinea Pigs: A Simple Start-Up GuideThis article covers housing, food, and handling requirements for novice guinea pig owners.
The Truth About Owning a Guinea PigGuinea pigs can make great pets as long as you understand what is required to care for them.It's a lot more then just watching them in their cage and feeding them.Guinea pigs ne...- Why Guinea Pigs?Guinea pigs are easy and inexpensive to care for. They are also excitable, lovable, and friendly.
- How to Care for Your Guinea Pig PetLearn more about what's involved in having a guinea pig as a pet to determine if it will work for your family situation.
Human Guinea PigsFor decades the medical profession has used human beings as guinea pigs in a variety of experimental research. Are these studies ethical or just result of corporate greed?
- Is a Guinea Pig the Right Pet for Your Family?
- Guinea Pigs as Pets
- Which Breed of Guinea Pig is Best for You?
- Feeding Your Guinea Pig
- Buying a Guinea Pig: A Pet Guide
- Guinea Pigs: A Pet Profile
- Bathing Your Guinea Pig: A Grooming Guide
9 Comments
Post a Commentso not true ‼‼!
that is not true guinea pigs are caring,loveing pets2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!☺☻♥♥♦♣♠•◘◙♂♀♪♫δ♠•◘○☼t◄↕‼
SO NOT TRUE!!!!
so not true. I have a guinea pig and i love cuddling with her. They make great pets if you take care on them properly clearly you werent.
Obviously, you've never watched some of the guinea pig videos on YouTube....or checked out some of the Cavy websites...if you had, you would realize that not everyone has had the experiences that you've had...Yours is the first negative thing I've read about these pets...and I think it's YOU, not the pigs, who were the problem!
I had guinea pigs as a kid and I remember them being lots of fun. It's true that you need to spend quite a lot of time with them to get them to warm up to you but hey, that's why you want a pet, no? Mine loved cuddling and running around. they certainly had big personalities and were very vocal - nothing quite like GP whistling when you come down the stairs in the morning :)
i am nt sure if they r but i am getting 1 possibly next week and i have ben researching b-cuz i have never owned 1 and i no nuthin bout dem.So far uv wat i have read,they sound like great pets and they say that they are the best pets for beginners.
I understand your feelings to a tee. When I started out with GP's, I used to dislike them as well cuz they seemed scared of everything, and I felt like they hated me. Finally, I met a guy who knew what he was talking about. Lesson one:Handle them often, whether they want it or not, every day and often. that is the only way they become used to you (No guinea pig will willingly come to you unless many wweks are spent handling it). Second, keep the pen where tons of people go, and DON'T EVER GIVE THEM HIDING PLACES!! Playhouses are a stupid idea; if you give them one, you'll never see them (as you found out). They're timid by nature, and have to get used to people, and it takes a while. Bottom line: GO rearing requires the patience of Job. If you want an 'instant pet, please, look elsewhere.
well, i think its not true.
they dont do the same, they dont sit in the corner, you just need to treat them the right way.