Current Events > Guinea pig appreciation topic

(+) Yeah! (+)

Guinea pigs are the greatest small pets out there. Theyre inexpensive, easy to care for, and affectionate. With a little bit of handling they become very docile and amenable to petting. I have two guinea pigs at the moment, Guin and Peg.



This is Guin. Shes almost three and is super sweet. She likes chilling on my lap and will burrow into my shirt whenever the opportunity presents itself.



This is Peg standing up for a treat. Shes just over a year old. While not quite as personable as Guin, shes a nice piggie in her own right.

I know Ive seen a few others like @SuperVegito2487 @OffTempo @ManicPlumber77 and @RiderofHogs post about their guinea pigs on here before. Are there any other fans out there?
---

I had one for most of middle school and all of high school. His name was Fuzzball; sadly, I didn't have a camera phone back then so I don't have any pictures of him.
---

Oh, they're cute.
I never had one, but I've had friends that had them.
---

Gobstoppers12 posted...

I had one for most of middle school and all of high school. His name was Fuzzball; sadly, I didn't have a camera phone back then so I don't have any pictures of him.

Thats too bad. I only have a few pictures of the guinea pigs I had while growing up since phone cameras werent a thing back then. Who knows where those pictures ended up too.

SiO4 posted...

Oh, they're cute.

Yeah, theyre the cutest!
---

I worked for a pet store chain for about 7 years, and always tried to sway people into getting a guinea pig over a hamster. The return rate for hamsters was honestly shocking, over 50%, mostly due to bites. Guinea pigs overall make a much better pet and a biter is very rare.
---

The guinea pig episode of South Park was great imo.
---

MabusIncarnate posted...

Guinea pigs overall make a much better pet and a biter is very rare.

My guinea pig would nibble my finger sometime if I stuck it through the cage bars, mostly because that's how we gave him carrots.
---

Gobstoppers12 posted...

MabusIncarnate posted...

Guinea pigs overall make a much better pet and a biter is very rare.

My guinea pig would nibble my finger sometime if I stuck it through the cage bars, mostly because that's how we gave him carrots.

Ive only been nibbled if they are scared or annoyed. And even then they dont bite at full force. The most damage one has ever done to me was an accident. Neither of us realized that my finger was behind the snack...







Its only the first 2 thats mine. The other 2 is my neighbours
---

I want a little vermin to take care of but my mom doesn't approve for some reason
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

Gobstoppers12 posted...

MabusIncarnate posted...

Guinea pigs overall make a much better pet and a biter is very rare.

My guinea pig would nibble my finger sometime if I stuck it through the cage bars, mostly because that's how we gave him carrots.

Ive only been nibbled if they are scared or annoyed. And even then they dont bite at full force. The most damage one has ever done to me was an accident. Neither of us realized that my finger was behind the snack...







Its only the first 2 thats mine. The other 2 is my neighbours

Hahaha, My cat once F*d up my toe up, but it wasn't his fault.
Something got knocked over and it startled him, and he just so happened to have his paw on my toe..
When he startled, he stuck a claw right between my tail and my toe.

It hurt like hell..
He knew he F*ed me up, but we both knew it was an accident.
We were both like...Shit dude sorry...

I've had that moment.

Also, Cute pics!!
I like the one on left in the second pic a lot for some reason.
Wouldpet/10
---

Those are some top notch piggies, I like the red and brown one on the inside left of the group pic.
---

I greatly enjoy the squeaking noise that Guinea Pigs make.

Probably in my top 5 favorite animal noises tbh
---

Something about the way that brown one is looking is...creepy
---

SiO4 posted...

Also, Cute pics!!
I like the one on left in the second pic a lot for some reason

I fixed the second link.

And the names of the 4 girls from left to right are

Maya/Maja (dunno spelling)

Teddie (Was told by the VetNurse/Breeder that shes a Teddy class guinea pig and Teddie sounded more feminine since i recall Teddy being used for the badass US President) is just over a year now (born Early->Mid December)

Thea/Tea

Stribe Will be 4 this June.

Im not sure why but Teddie isnt too happy with other guinea pigs. She tolerates them (except stribe since they are cage mates) for a while but then when shes done she stops being nice

Never does anything to Humans or Dogs.

I think its because Stribe tried to dominate her, since her previous friend who had to be put to sleep due to a giant tumor (Pjuske. she hit 6 years atleast which is old for them) was very pacifistic

So i think stribe mighta gone too far last year which led to Stribe herself being more tolerant of other piggies.

But due to an accident about 2 years ago (lost her upper front teeth. They grew out again) she is a bit more willing to use her teeth on Humans and dogs
---

fuzzylittlbunny posted...

Something about the way that brown one is looking is...creepy

Shes just trying to hide.

Had her climb into my pants pocket once...
---

Give them all headpats and scritches for me, will ya? Never had Guinea Pigs tbh. How do they compare to ferrets as pets jolteon?
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

SiO4 posted...

Also, Cute pics!!
I like the one on left in the second pic a lot for some reason

I fixed the second link.

And the names of the 4 girls from left to right are

Maya/Maja (dunno spelling)

Teddie (Was told by the VetNurse/Breeder that shes a Teddy class guinea pig and Teddie sounded more feminine since i recall Teddy being used for the badass US President) is just over a year now (born Early->Mid December)

Thea/Tea

Stribe Will be 4 this June.

Im not sure why but Teddie isnt too happy with other guinea pigs. She tolerates them (except stribe since they are cage mates) for a while but then when shes done she stops being nice

Never does anything to Humans or Dogs.

I think its because Stribe tried to dominate her, since her previous friend who had to be put to sleep due to a giant tumor (Pjuske. she hit 6 years atleast which is old for them) was very pacifistic

So i think stribe mighta gone too far last year which led to Stribe herself being more tolerant of other piggies.

But due to an accident about 2 years ago (lost her upper front teeth. They grew out again) she is a bit more willing to use her teeth on Humans and dogs

Wait what, there teeth keeping growing.. Like a Beaver?
I didn't know that.

So, do they get chew toys?
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

fuzzylittlbunny posted...

Something about the way that brown one is looking is...creepy

Shes just trying to hide.

Had her climb into my pants pocket once...

That's not how I interpret it. See, the one on the right is just looking straight forward, perfectly calm, in a blissful state of relaxation. But the one on the left...she's glaring at you from the side, saying "I'm gonna fuck you up the moment you fall asleep" D:
---

SiO4 posted...

Wait what, there teeth keeping growing.. Like a Beaver?
I didn't know that.

So, do they get chew toys?

Beavers are also Rodents, so yeah exactly.

As for Chew toys.

If you give them plenty of stuff like Carrots, i dont think its an issue... though their little house does have bitemarks

You can also buy some snacks that you hang from the cage, which they then need to use their teeth for.

Fun Fact, the danish term for Rodent, can be translated to something like Gnawer, or Nibbler, since thats what they do.

Fun Fact 2: Guinea Pigs, like humans, cant creat C Vitamin themselves, and need it from their food, so Carrots are quite good for them.

Dont want them to get Scurvy now.
---

My elementary school had a few of them as class pets.

One pissed on my lap.
---

DrizztLink posted...

My elementary school had a few of them as class pets.

One pissed on my lap.

Sounds like it was either scared, or you sat with him/her a bit too long.

Generally guinea pigs are quite clean and dont like to pee/poo on us, cleaning up the latter themselves more often than not, and making potty dances if they need to do the former.

Hell mine only really pee in ONE corner of the cage at that.
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

SiO4 posted...

Wait what, there teeth keeping growing.. Like a Beaver?
I didn't know that.

So, do they get chew toys?

Beavers are also Rodents, so yeah exactly.

As for Chew toys.

If you give them plenty of stuff like Carrots, i dont think its an issue... though their little house does have bitemarks

You can also buy some snacks that you hang from the cage, which they then need to use their teeth for.

Fun Fact, the danish term for Rodent, can be translated to something like Gnawer, or Nibbler, since thats what they do.

Fun Fact 2: Guinea Pigs, like humans, cant creat C Vitamin themselves, and need it from their food, so Carrots are quite good for them.

Dont want them to get Scurvy now.

Well, I'll be damned, I learned something here.

Total side note: I do have to unofficial pet rabbits that have been living in my back yard this winter.

I got curious and looked and the teeth are the same way.

But ya, I do throw out whatever left over 'greens' I have from cooking.
Gotta keep them warm.

Ya, I have a soft spot for such things, and they aren't hurting me so...
---

SiO4 posted...

Well, I'll be damned, I learned something here.

Total side note: I do have to unofficial pet rabbits that have been living in my back yard this winter.

I got curious and looked and the teeth are the same way.

But ya, I do throw out whatever left over 'greens' I have from cooking.
Gotta keep them warm.

Ya, I have a soft spot for such things, and they aren't hurting me so...

Technically Rabbits arent Rodents, but Lagomorphs.

However i dont think they are that far off from Guinea Pigs, so they might be similar

There is one difference i know off though

Newborn Guinea pigs look like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48-oCCppsVE" data-time="

Rabbits arent that developed post birth.

Hell, HUMANS arent that developed at birth.
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

Hell, HUMANS arent that developed at birth.

Not really a high bar, dude.

With the exception of marsupials we probably have the most useless babies in the animal kingdom, and we only beat marsupials because they don't grow a placenta.
---

DrizztLink posted...

SuperVegito2487 posted...

Hell, HUMANS arent that developed at birth.

Not really a high bar, dude.

With the exception of marsupials we probably have the most useless babies in the animal kingdom, and we only beat marsupials because they don't grow a placenta.

Aright didnt know that
---

guinness pigs
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

SiO4 posted...

Well, I'll be damned, I learned something here.

Total side note: I do have to unofficial pet rabbits that have been living in my back yard this winter.

I got curious and looked and the teeth are the same way.

But ya, I do throw out whatever left over 'greens' I have from cooking.
Gotta keep them warm.

Ya, I have a soft spot for such things, and they aren't hurting me so...

Technically Rabbits arent Rodents, but Lagomorphs.

However i dont think they are that far off from Guinea Pigs, so they might be similar

There is one difference i know off though

Newborn Guinea pigs look like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48-oCCppsVE" data-time="

Rabbits arent that developed post birth.

Hell, HUMANS arent that developed at birth.

This thread has been like a clinic for me on these things!!
---

SiO4 posted...

This thread has been like a clinic for me on these things!!

I have lived with them for over a decade now (Originally my sister wanted some back in 2007)

And me having 2 guinea pigs did help alot in 2012 and 2013... not a good period of my life lets just say that.
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

SiO4 posted...

This thread has been like a clinic for me on these things!!

I have lived with them for over a decade now (Originally my sister wanted some back in 2007)

And me having 2 guinea pigs did help alot in 2012 and 2013... not a good period of my life lets just say that.

Oh, I understand.

Sometimes having something to look after for is the best way to keep yourself straight.

No doubt.
---

SiO4 posted...

SuperVegito2487 posted...

SiO4 posted...

This thread has been like a clinic for me on these things!!

I have lived with them for over a decade now (Originally my sister wanted some back in 2007)

And me having 2 guinea pigs did help alot in 2012 and 2013... not a good period of my life lets just say that.

Oh, I understand.

Sometimes having something to look after for is the best way to keep yourself straight.

No doubt.

More like just having them there for companionship

I tend to bond more with animals than humans.
---

I did mention i lost one last year. I do think she had a wonderful life, but just wanted to share these

First and last photo i got of her





And no, she is not sitting next to the same guinea pig in both photos.
---

out of all the pets Ive cared for the only ones that were louder were dogs and ducks
---

I had ferrets and rats growing up. My old lady had chinchillas. Neither of us had pigs.

My buddy does and they are always squeakin, but he loves em!

La Muerte Peluda !
---

MabusIncarnate posted...

I worked for a pet store chain for about 7 years, and always tried to sway people into getting a guinea pig over a hamster. The return rate for hamsters was honestly shocking, over 50%, mostly due to bites. Guinea pigs overall make a much better pet and a biter is very rare.

Yeah, guinea pigs are so much better than hamsters and gerbils. Hamsters arent very affectionate and the ones my sisters had didnt even like being petted. Theyd try to escape the whole time and yeah, they bit too.

MisterGoats posted...

Give them all headpats and scritches for me, will ya? Never had Guinea Pigs tbh. How do they compare to ferrets as pets jolteon?

Id say theyre much better pets, though my experience with ferrets is limited. The ones Ive known were not friendly and smelled awful, lol

rhklce posted...

I had ferrets and rats growing up. My old lady had chinchillas. Neither of us had pigs.

My buddy does and they are always squeakin, but he loves em!

Thats odd, mine have always been pretty quiet. The most noise they make is when they hear rustling plastic because they associate that sound with getting treats.
---

I love the pics @SuperVegito2487. The brown and orange one is my favorite, very cute piggie. Sorry to hear about the little one you recently lost. One of the only downsides to guinea pigs is their relatively short lifespan. Anyway, Im sure you took great care of her and gave her a good life.

Im also curious what kind of cage or housing you use for your pigs. I got a hutch for mine a little over a year ago, and its been fantastic. I just line the bottom with towels and plastic, and put a little paper-based bedding in the upstairs area. Its so nice and roomy compared to the old cage I had.


---

I had 2 Guinea Pigs growing up. My dad got one for my sister and I each. Mine got pregnant and died a couple weeks after giving birth. I ended up keeping one of them. Named him Rusty. He looked very similar to the second one on the right in that video posted.

They make excellent pets for kids or any age really. Mine would break out of it's cage at night and sleep in the middle of my back til I got him a better cage. They are pretty quiet unless they need something. The purring noise they make when you pet them is my favorite animal noise.

SuperVegito2487 posted...

I did mention i lost one last year. I do think she had a wonderful life, but just wanted to share these

First and last photo i got of her





And no, she is not sitting next to the same guinea pig in both photos.

Ahhh, You love your buddies!! I respect that!! >^_^<
---

0AbsoluteZero0 posted...

Im also curious what kind of cage or housing you use for your pigs. I got a hutch for mine a little over a year ago, and its been fantastic. I just line the bottom with towels and plastic, and put a little paper-based bedding in the upstairs area. Its so nice and roomy compared to the old cage I had.

Standard sized cage, i dunno the exact size, but it is cleaned biweekly, and my mom says its good enough for them.

They also seem to be okay in there.. hell they like being in there, so sometimes we have to be careful when putting them back in... otherwise its stunt jump time.

I do tend to sit with them a lot. Atleast once daily, and thats only on more stressfull days.

Abiz_ posted...

The purring noise they make when you pet them is my favorite animal noise.

If its purring thats something i think is a bad sign (IE i dont like this), but there is a comfortable grunting noise Teddie makes, that could be confused for purring.

And she only makes it when relaxed and petted.
---

Surprised I was mentioned here sorry for posting late.

But yeah guinea pigs are pretty cute and fun to hang around with. Both of mine are still getting used to me although I've made loads of good progress with them. I want to introduce them but still want to be as informed as possible before I do. Anyways here are my piggies!








---

Btw their names are Tuxedo and Brownie
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

If its purring thats something i think is a bad sign (IE i dont like this),

I think you are thinking about them chattering their teeth.
---

RiderofHogs posted...

SuperVegito2487 posted...

If its purring thats something i think is a bad sign (IE i dont like this),

I think you are thinking about them chattering their teeth.

Purring usually can either mean their happy or discomforted right?
---

OffTempo posted...

Btw their names are Tuxedo and Brownie

More inventive with names than me, but i still see a fur pattern

Last 2 pics are my favorite of those 4.

As for having them get used to you. In my experience it just takes some time. Just make sure to sit/lay down with them as much as you can and they should be comfortable in no time.

in my case Teddie took around a day to get comfortable enough to start talking.
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

OffTempo posted...

Btw their names are Tuxedo and Brownie

More inventive with names than me, but i still see a fur pattern

Last 2 pics are my favorite of those 4.

As for having them get used to you. In my experience it just takes some time. Just make sure to sit/lay down with them as much as you can and they should be comfortable in no time.

in my case Teddie took around a day to get comfortable enough to start talking.

I'm having ore of an issue with Tuxedo rather than Brownie. Brownie still isn't completely fine with me holding him but he doesn't mind too much if its not for too long; he'll even jump on my stomach if I'm lying down near him sometimes.

Tuxedo used to be very mellow and COMPLETELy fine with me picking him up and holding him but after I took him to the vet (once for his eye which was resolved quickly) and then the second time for his stomach which had a cut that needed to be stitched; he hasn't been comfortable with me. Like he'll try to run away now if I try to pick him up. If I hold him he'll bite at my hand to let me know he wants to be put down. Also he squeaks a lot more now and does it loudly.
---

OffTempo posted...

RiderofHogs posted...

SuperVegito2487 posted...

If its purring thats something i think is a bad sign (IE i dont like this),

I think you are thinking about them chattering their teeth.

Purring usually can either mean their happy or discomforted right?

It can be both, but chattering tends to be only when they are mad.
---

OffTempo posted...

SuperVegito2487 posted...

OffTempo posted...

Btw their names are Tuxedo and Brownie

More inventive with names than me, but i still see a fur pattern

Last 2 pics are my favorite of those 4.

As for having them get used to you. In my experience it just takes some time. Just make sure to sit/lay down with them as much as you can and they should be comfortable in no time.

in my case Teddie took around a day to get comfortable enough to start talking.

I'm having ore of an issue with Tuxedo rather than Brownie. Brownie still isn't completely fine with me holding him but he doesn't mind too much if its not for too long; he'll even jump on my stomach if I'm lying down near him sometimes.

Tuxedo used to be very mellow and COMPLETELy fine with me picking him up and holding him but after I took him to the vet (once for his eye which was resolved quickly) and then the second time for his stomach which had a cut that needed to be stitched; he hasn't been comfortable with me. Like he'll try to run away now if I try to pick him up. If I hold him he'll bite at my hand to let me know he wants to be put down. Also he squeaks a lot more now and does it loudly.

Ive never experienced that myself

Granted ive rarely been at the vet as is. Rarely necessary.

Stribe likes to use her teeth from time to time, but thats only if someones touching her in places she dont like (mainly chin) or shes scared.

I dont think they like being carried, but as soon as i sit down with them, they start talking.

As for running away, ive heard Guinea Pigs sight isnt the best so they will always try doing that, but as i said as soon as i sit down on my bed or chair, they start making noises.
---

Yeah they don't like being carried which makes sense since they're prey.

I spend most of my time with them at night. When I get home from school I hang out with them for a while before working on my homework. Plus I work in my room where they live so they're exposed to me a lot.
---

OffTempo posted...

Yeah they don't like being carried which makes sense since they're prey.

I spend most of my time with them at night. When I get home from school I hang out with them for a while before working on my homework. Plus I work in my room where they live so they're exposed to me a lot.

Do you have them up whilst you lay on your bed? or in a chair?

The latter can get Stribe to nibble at me as well, since thats not a flat surface shes on at that point.

Stribes biting issues was probably due to something vet related.

Mom was trimming her nails, whilst sitting on my bed. Stribe decided to jump down on the floor

Now i have had haphazard drops before (twice with Pjuske, first time it was dark, we both thought we were closer to the cage than we were and she took a 1,5 meter fall. Aside from the shock (well duh) the only injury she had was a small cut on one of her upper lips. Stribe had a similar incident when she was younger, with the same injury. Im still very happy nothing happened in any of those cases), but this time we werent that lucky.

Upper 2 front teeth got knocked out (i only noticed the day after). Not a massive worry (Rodents teeth grow their entire life) but i was keeping a close eye on her weight for the following week or 2. Guinea pigs has a second set of teeth further in, so she could still eat. Had to go to the vet to get the lower teeth trimmed down as they where too long. Ever since, she has been a bit of a biter. But only when scared or angry.
---

SuperVegito2487 posted...

OffTempo posted...

Yeah they don't like being carried which makes sense since they're prey.

I spend most of my time with them at night. When I get home from school I hang out with them for a while before working on my homework. Plus I work in my room where they live so they're exposed to me a lot.

Do you have them up whilst you lay on your bed? or in a chair?

The latter can get Stribe to nibble at me as well, since thats not a flat surface shes on at that point.

So they aren't living with each other right now. Haven't introduced them since Tuxedo's been healing from his surgery hes p much fully recovered but just want to give him another day or so before I re-introduce them.

I set up my bed early in the morning so that way Tuxedo can run around and have more space so he is there for the majority of the day. Brownie on the other hand resides in the playpen I set up in my room.

The playpen can fit me laying down so Brownie usually will run around me and try to climb me, sometimes lay down on my stomach. When I lay on my bed when Tuxedo is around though he'll squeak at first but then calm down but not really interact with me. Except for nibbling my fingers which he does a lot now.
---