<p>I was skeptical, but we love our guinea pigs. You do need two, as they are social animals. Our girls have their own personality and are entertaining. I can provide tips on minimizing the work load. We’ve worked out cage arrangements, floor time space, and a covered outdoor cage at minimal cost. We’ve had the classroom pig home all summer - three!</p>
<p>Neighbor’s kid went through the hamster/guinea pig phase. They had both and did like the gp the best but when the kid lost interest in it, they had a hard time finding a new home for the gp.</p>
<p>I’d vote no. There are 168 hours in a week and I can’t imagine she’d spend more than a couple (if that) with a guinea pig. </p>
<p>How about an iPod? Or an agreement that she can have friends over twice a month (providing she does all the planning and cleaning)? Or give the dogs a bath and let them spend more time in the house. You can teach old dogs new tricks – how about she gives that a try?</p>
<p>My daughter got a gp when she was a sophomore in college. She had it until she entered law school when she acquired 2 cats. She then realized that she was too busy with the cats and didn’t have enough time for the gp (plus, the cats were so fond of the gp, they wanted to eat him)! I ended up surrendering the gp to a rescue and donated $100 to the group. Last we heard, they neutered the pig and found a home for him with a female gp. </p>
<p>I realize my little story is of no help to the OP, but the thread brought back memories. lol.</p>
<p>We kept a guinea pig and a rabbit together; they seemed to like being roomies. We asked the pet store for a male gp, because our bunny was older and we didn’t know how he’d take it if there were babies. Sure enough, the gp started putting on weight, then one day there were six balls of fluff in the cage with “him” and the bunny. The rabbit was great about it though, he used to lie down and let them climb all over him.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. MaryTN your post made me do some serious thinking. I don’t want another pet. I was letting myself get suckered into something I didn’t want because of family circumstances and I felt bad for her.
I had a nice conversation with my D explaining my position. It is not as if she has no pets. The horse is an expense that we struggle with and we put up with because she truely is a “horse person”. She understood and for now I am hoping the guinea pig request has been put to rest.
I also think the dead opposum at the end of the driveway yesterday morning courtesy of our dog made her realize that a guinea pig might not be the best idea.
We are going to work on having some special time with each other when her B leaves for college.</p>
<p>Sounds like a good plan, mom60… part of the “deal” we had when we had kids is that I would never have a rodent in the house as a pet. (don’t know if a guinea pig is really a rodent, but it’s close enough in my book). H and D2 just got home from Peru, they experienced guinea pig on their trip…but it was at a restaurant. EWWWWW!</p>
<p>Bravo, mom50! Good decision.</p>
<p>
By <em>experienced</em>, do you mean they had quinea pig soup for dinner or something? :eek:</p>
<p>Nope, he was pretty much grilled. I could not remotely believe that D ate some.</p>