Well, I really want to get the boys a puppy, but that is way out of the question. One more thing I have to potty train, plus a little too expensive for upkeep/vet visits/etc.

If anyone has had a guinea pig, are they hard to keep up? I read that you have to clean out their cage every day...Which isn't too bad, except by the end of the day, I can barely make myself clean the kitchen I think the boys would love a pet, though. They absolutely adore animals.

Any thoughts/opinions are appreciated!

Jenny
single mom to spontaneous BBB 34w 2d

http://lilypie.com>

Jenny,


I dont have any idea's but just wanted to say you are sooooo brave! My kids also love animals but I just couldn't imagine having to care for a pet just now. But I'm sure if I were to bring one home they would be over the moon.

Goodluck,
Kristine

GBB 01/13/07

Might be a little too small, a squeezing hazard. Unless of course the kids are only going to look and not touch.

I say wait a bit. They will be older then they can help you with the cleaning up/after of a pet.

Amy
Wife to Jason(pixelpusher)
Mom to Gwynne, Connor, Chloe 11/03/03
25wks 1day

www.ferristrio.blogspot.com

http://lilypie.com>

I don't know about guinea pigs but we have had gerbils before and the upkeep isn't bad at all. I fed them these pellets like once a week and cleaned the cage out once a month. We didn't play with them though. Just looked at them. We've also had fire-bellied toades and my only complaint about them is that they eat crickets so you have to go buy them constantly. Right now, besides 2 dogs, we have a fish(electric yellow cichlid) and a red claw crab. They are both pretty low maintenence. The fish tank gets cleaned like every 2 weeks and the crab cleans his own tank you just have to add more water when it is getting low. Again though, they are not pets you play with. Not sure if you are looking for something that they can handle much or not.

Sarah

Mom to:
Rylee 7-28-04

36 weekers

Kenzi Adilyn 2-19-08 (6lbs 6oz)
Devyn Elizabeth 2-19-08 (4lbs 12oz)
Caden Jackson 2-19-08 (5lbs 9oz)

A.guinea.pig.is.cute.But.just.to.let.you.know.they.make.a.really.weird.noise.maybe.google.the.noise.and.hear.it.just.so.you.know.They.smell.alittle.worse.then.a.bunny.I.think.Pretty.easy
to.clean.up.after.thought.and.easy.to.feed.

We.have.a.Holland.lop.bunny.and.heʻs.just.the.sweetest.and.he.puts.up.with.the.kids.As.long.as.you.watch.then.they.play.with.him.

Make.sure.you.buy.the.little.thats.brown.and.looks.like.their.food.That.one.works.the.best.for.smells.

Sorry.my.spacebar.is.broke.lol.

Cheryl
Mommy to 5
Kyle (16)
Casey (13)
Tripz (BBG Jan 2006)


http://lilypie.com>

Hey,
Guinea pigs can be loud and hard to hold on to, if you want the kiddos to be able to touch and pet it. A rabbit might be better? They are bigger for petting, quieter, etc. My kids are way into animals as well, and they love petting the bunnies at the pet store.
I was considering a few little fish- no smell, less up keep... start small and work up to the bunnies, etc. We have a big dog though, so they do have her to pet.

Anyway, I am all for pets for kids even though they are more work. I think they teach kids so much about life, responsibility, compassion... you are a good mom!

Tiffany
BBG @ 31.4 weeks
on 11/27/06
3.11
3.6
2.14



baby girl born on 7/24/08

When my son was 6 (left his dad moved into an apartment, etc.) we had to give up his pug to move into the apartment and his jacka** dad didn't keep it, so I felt awful, he cried for that dog FOREVER!! Seriously like 2 years, until we finally got our house and the Schnauzer. Anyway, I got him a guinea pig to ease the pain a bit and it wasn't bad to take care of. Very sweet, but the darn thing didn't live for very long, honestly it only lived about 6 months. I don't know what was wrong with the darn thing, but we've had guinea pigs before and they lived much longer than that, but it was heart breaking for him. So I don't think that I would get it as a b'day present, but maybe buy one for them. They are cheap and easy to take care of. I don't regret getting it. But the death was very hard on him, I bawled over the dang thing because I felt so bad for him. I guess he learned that things die, but it was really bad, my husband and I were dating at the time and he took care of the burial for us, so he's in our yard with a little stone and Tristan still points it out.

I hope if you get one, that it lives lots longer than ours did.
Good luck! Love, Becca

Check us out at...thepingels.com

Thanks so much for the feedback! I do want a pet that they can hold and touch...So yall think a bunny would be better? I definately don't want dead guinea pigs around here! They are pretty good about being gentle and not squeezing the little animals they have been around. Plus, I wouldn't let it out of the cage without being by their side the whole time.

LOL at the broken spacebar-way to improvis

Jenny
single mom to spontaneous BBB 34w 2d

http://lilypie.com>

Actually, we've had both a bunny and a guinea pig (not at the same time) and I think the guinea pig is an easier pet. We've had ours for two years and he's very easy to care for and the kids love him. Ours tolerates being held and the kids actually love chasing him (poor thing).

We've also had fish and the guinea pig is easier and more fun than they were!

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0816/is_/ai_n25358336


Michelle

Tyler 17 1/2 years!!
Steph 15 1/2 years!!
Ayden, Ryley & Dylan 3 1/2 years!!
http://triplethefunplus2.blogspot.com/

I had guinea pigs for pets as class pets when I was a teacher. They are very nice animals, but definitely quite a bit of work. They do need the cage cleaned frequently, but not every day. The average life span for a guinea pig is 5 to 8 years and mine always seemed to make it to 8 years. For guinea pigs to be friendly, they have to be held every day which is why they were great class pets - there was always someone who wanted to hold them.

2 might be a little young for this kind of pet. They are fast and startle easily. Plus I had to train my 4th graders on how to pick the guinea pigs up the correct way which took time even for 9 year olds.

I have to say I think a puppy would be less work and easier around the kids.

We have 2 cats that my kiddos love. And one of the cats loooooooves the kids and follows them everywhere. He lets them pet him and throw his toy for him. If you aren't allergic and can find a cat that thinks it's dog like ours that would be the best option since only have to clean the litter boxes once a week and throw out some dry food. Very easy. But not everyone's a cat person.

Jennifer
GBG 2/20/2007
@29 weeks

Guinea pigs are very sweet animals, but also a bit fragile. I had one when I was 10 and it squirmed out of my hands waist high, and died from internal bleeding.

I would not recommend one for a 2-year-old, no way.

Jonna

G 25
B 17
B 13
G (Stillborn Angel 4/16/05)
BGB 1/06 @ 27 wks
Grandaughter 3