Guinea pigs, pictures on page 2 1-18-07

**DrKym** · 01-13-2007, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by KBlaix

Something not on your list that'd I recommend is a pair of rats. They are great rodents and a lot of fun.

I agree totally with this! All my kids had rats as pets, wonderful rodent !Smart,clean,affectionate, and I have found very seldom nippy. They tolerate well little hands and sometimes a bit too energetic squeeze with aplomb. If you are open to expanding the list They are certainly worth a look into for her.

**Zippy** · 01-13-2007, 09:39 AM

I would go with a guinea pig.They are easy to hold.I think hamsters,rats,and mice would be so small for a 6 year old to hold.Plus guinea pigs come all differnt coat types.Guinea pigs are really messy and need there cage cleaned a lot.They also need fresh veggies everday.

**xVelvet_FuzzButtx** · 01-13-2007, 01:45 PM

PLEASE, please, please research their dietary needy! its alot more complicated than Hay and some veggies. Okay?

lage C & C cages are perfact, Longer is better an when measuring floorspace the second level doesn't count. http://www.guineapigcages.com/cubes.htm

I think this is a forum you should join!

People will help you with any questions, and theres lots of stories and photos. It would be great to have support, as you will be doing alot more care than you may think.

http://www.cavycompendium.com/

Guinea pigs vet bills are expensive.

we learned the hard way, after being told they weren't! However I still agree they will be a wonderful pet.

**JuniorxMyxLove** · 01-13-2007, 06:44 PM

Hmm..I got a big, comfy cage from Petsmart for my piggies! yes, you should get them in pairs, they're happier that way. I use pine shavings for bedding, I know there is another type of wood that can give them diseases but I can't remember whatis was called. Also, do not get your piggies a raised floor, it can give their feet sores[ouchie!] For food, they get timothey hay[alphalfa works too] guinea pig pellets, and lots of fresh fruit/veggies for vitamin C. They need a lot of vitamin C, or else they can get scurvy. You need to clip their nails about once a month[youmight want your vet to help you? if you cut them too short they bleed] and you need to give them a bath once a month. Use lukewarm water with either baby shampoo orguinea pig shampoo. Anything else is too strong for their skin.
You would need togive them ahouse of some sort[the plastic igloos at petsmart work great] and something wooden to shew on so that their teeth do not overgrow.

http://www.2ndchance.info/guineapigcare.htm - thats a great website for guinea pig care.

guinea pigs are great pets. I hope your daughter likes them, if you end up getting one or two!

**sanford8916** · 01-13-2007, 11:04 PM

Thanks guys for all the helpful information. I do understand that they need there cages cleaned often and that they need a really good diet. When we do get a guinea pig or two we will post pictures, it could still be a month or so. We are looking at resues first. We are very devoted to our animals, Lou Lou is proof of that, she is so high maintance and has cost us alot of money, but she is well worth it. My daughter will be really good with any animals but she will still be supervised with a guinea pig. I will check out all the sites that everyone suggested. I really appecitate all the help.

**sanford8916** · 01-15-2007, 09:15 PM

We are getting two pigs. One female and one male, the male will get fixed. They are litter mates. The people bought a female from the store and didn't know she was pregant, so these two are her babies. We are getting them in a couple days, we have to finish getting their cage ready and stock up guinea pig supplies. Anyone know a good book to get for reference about their diet? They will go to the vet right away to get a check up and make sure the male is ready to get fixed. Brittney(my daughter was awesome hanging onto them, we spent an hour with them tonight. They have been handled alot and they talk alot, so cute. I will post some pictures of them as soon as I can. Thanks for everyones help!

**sanford8916** · 01-15-2007, 09:21 PM

Here is a picture of the babies and my daughter. We haven't decided on their names yet. My daughter wants to maybe name the female Princess but don't have any ideas yet for the male. The female is the tri-colored one and the male is the mostly white one. I will get better pictures when we have them home with us and I will most pictures of their cage when we are done making it!