Hello!

Don’t listen to Ashley – people like them want to discourage your friend. He obviously doesn’t know much about guinea pigs, or he wouldn’t say that.

Guinea pigs are SUPER pets! They are pretty easy little pets to take care of, they get cleaned out every 2 – 3 days, they need to be taken out of their cage at least twce a week when kept in a pair so you can bond with them, or if you have one (I do not recommend it) needs to be taken out of the cage everyday for at least an hour.

They are social creatures, love a good cuddle and make brilliant first time pets.

One of the reasons that make them so good is that you can put them outside in an outdoor cage, a cage in a shed, or in an indoor cage inside your house, which with most of other rodents such as hamsters or gerbils, can only live inside. The only downside is they are a bit noisy at night, but only if they go in your bedroom.

They are quite clean animals, but they start to get a bit smelly if you don’t clean them out after 4-5 days.

They live for 4 – 8 years, but one of my first guinea pigs lived for a good 6 and a half years! Sadly the other one died at 3 because of an illness.

I suggest getting 2 if you can (they are only around £15 so are cheap) as then they can keep each other company – remember to only get 1 boar (male) and 1 sow (female) if you wish to breed. People say don’t get 2 boars because they re smelly, and can fight, but I have had 2 pairs of boars, and from my experience, we’ve had no problems. That is one of the many guinea pig common mistakes – males don’t fight much! If you plan to get 1, only get a single piggie if you can give the time to give it the time (at least get it out for 15 minutes or more) of cuddling each day.

They are a great first pet, and all I can say, is please get one and share all the fun from every cavy owner out there.

I would honestly recommend a dog. A smaller dog, because they don’t take much more, and guinea pigs aren’t really very fun after the first few months. If you get a really awesome dog, just feed them and water them every day, play with them, and eventually you’ll fall in love with it. Good luck to your friend.

Also, I have a guinea pig and a dog. You have to change a guinea pig’s cage every two days if you don’t want it to smell bad. Much harder than a dog, who just do their business outside. I would recommend a dachshund, or some kind of smaller breed from your local shelter. DO NOT buy one from online, or from a backyard breeder! Get one from a recognized breeder, and make sure they interview you or something. Or a shelter so they don’t kill the dog. Trust me, the extra money is worth the better dog.

Whenever I said you, I met your friend Good luck

Yes, I cleaned the cage weekly, And it smelt just fine and there quiet

There an awesome first pet, I have two right now. There the sweetest things ever. You can teach them to do tricks, they love being cuddled, I’ve even taken them out for a walk before. They don’t require allot of maintenance, but if you do get one make sure you use wood stove pellets as there bedding…it lasts a week without smelling were if you use wood shavings it lasts three days

Guinea pigs are very easy to care for.
They are lovely animals & will give you lots of happiness.
All they need is a bit of food like fruit, vegetables & dry guinea pig food & looooooooooooots of cuddles:).
Just make sure you keep their cage nice & clean so they feel as comfortable & save as in your arms.