I really want to get a guinea pig, but...

Question

I'm going to college in four years, and their life span is up to 8 years. Now I plan on going to a college not far away from home so I can come home every weekend, but I'm still nervous it might not work out.

And if your going to tell me not to get a guinea pig, just exit out of this window. I've already heard that already and that doesn't exactly help me with my situation at all.

Answer 1

I agree with Courtney and the others who say interaction just at the weekend isn't enough. It wouldn't be fair to the guinea pig. The only solution I can think of is to adopt a guinea pig that is already 4ish years old.

Answer 2

here's a site for information.  

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guinea-Pigs-1...

they are really great pets!  

Answer 3

Do what I do, just take your little one with you. I go to a college not to far away from my parents too and could leave my rats in there care, but I insted took them with me. Technically I'm not allowed to have any animals other then a fish but what they don't know can't hurt them. Guinea pigs are small enough to keep in a dorm as long as you let them have some freedom. And there is always the possibility that it wont live until then (you never know) and you should get your little one a little buddy of his own to play with while your in class and away.

Answer 4

I've had many guinea pigs and I never had one live a fully 8 years. I'd say 5-6 years is more common.However, incase yours does live 8 years coming home on the weekend wouldn't be enough to take care of it. They require daily care including feeding, watering, and if you only get one, playing with it everyday (because they're very social). Talk to your parents and see if they would be willing to do these things with your guinea pig while you're gone. Tell them you can change the cage once a week when you are home, but they will need to do the daily things. If they are not willing, you may want to get a gerbil or hamster (they both have shorter life spans). Good luck.

Answer 5

So what is your question?

Would weekends be enough? No. If it is your pet then why should your parents have to take care of it 5 days a week. Are they going to play with it, change its water, feed it, take it to the vet if it needs to be? If you want a pet you need to have the time to devote to it.

Also, you may be able to take a small caged animal in dorms, check with your school.

Answer 6

yes get two for when you go to college. oh and if you are not going to take any opinions from experienced people.....  

Answer 7

They don't usually live 8 years. It should work ok I'd think, but you should get 2 because guinea pigs get very lonely and love to be together. This would be especially helpful when you go away to school.

Answer 8

here's something to put in perspective...in a cleaness rate, it goes like this:

1rat

2gerbil

3hamster

4guinea pig

5rabbit

That's what i've been told at least!

Answer 9

No, you probably shouldn't. Weekends just aren't enough time for them. They need their cages to be cleaned, water and food bowls to be refilled, and they need lots of attention and love. I understand your intentions are good, but weekends aren't enough time to keep them happy. And they would get lonely, even if you get her/him a friend...it doesn't exactly solve the care issue.

Answer 10

Hmmmmmmmm, Well it might work just as long as u get 2 little piggies.

Spend as much time as u can with them as u can while ur home.

ask ur parents just to check on them once in a while to see how they r and maybe fill up on timothy hay

Answer 11

I really am not trying to be rude here, I promise, although this will probably seem that way anyway...  but it seems like you just want people to tell you what you want to hear.

Interaction each weekend is not enough. That's really all there is..  So talk with your parents and see if they are willing to take your guinea pig out every day and socialize him while you're at school. If they're not.. I'm going to have to say it.. don't get the guinea pig. They don't always live that long, but the possibility is there, so if you're really determined to get one, you need to make sure he'll have adequate socialization. I know what it's like to desperately want a pet, but you have to remember to be fair to him.