9 Common Reasons Not To Get a Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are a popular pet, but there are many reasons why you shouldn’t get one.
These animals need a lot of care and attention, they’re very messy and noisy at night.
They can die very quickly if they get sick or injured, and they require expensive food and bedding to keep them healthy.
Many of these problems can be avoided if you do your research before bringing home your new guinea pig friend!
The following are some common reasons not to get a guinea pig:
Guinea pigs are temperature sensitive
Guinea pigs are not suited to cold temperatures and can get frostbite if they’re left outside in the cold.
They will also die from exposure if they’re left out in the cold. So this means you shouldn’t get a guinea if you can’t keep them warm.
Guinea pigs need to be kept warm during winter, so they should be kept in a warm room (not necessarily an entire house).
If you have a drafty room, your guinea pig may develop respiratory problems or even die because of this lack of airflow.
Guinea pigs cannot be alone
You may think that guinea pigs are social animals, but they have their own needs.
They need to be around other guinea pigs or other social animals for their own mental health and well-being.
If you’re not willing to share your home with another pet, then a guinea pig is probably not the right choice for you.
If your veterinarian recommends getting a pet—and we always recommend getting one if it seems like something that could help make your life better.
You’ll want to choose carefully based on what kind of furry friend fits into your life the best.
Read more: 7 Top Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You.
Guinea pigs are messy
The most common reason people don’t get guinea pigs is that they are messy and leave droppings everywhere.
Guinea pigs need daily cleaning, so you might have to clean your house multiple times per week if you have one.
If you want to keep your pet healthy, it’s important that their cage is easy to clean.
Guinea pigs also need an environment free from bacteria or viruses, so they can stay healthy as well!
Guinea pigs are very fragile
If a guinea pig gets sick, it can die very quickly. Guinea pigs are very fragile, and a single virus or stress can kill them.
They also dehydrate very easily if they get overheated, so make sure to keep their environment as cool as possible.
Guinea pigs need checking on them regularly
You need to be home to take care of your guinea pig. If you have a young child or elderly parents, this may not be an option for you.
You will also have to feed and water your pet daily, clean out their cage regularly, and check on them regularly as well.
Read more: 11 Top Signs Your Guinea Pig Is Happy.
Guinea pigs need a lot of care and attention
The first thing you need to understand is that guinea pigs are not pets. They are very demanding animals, and they require a lot of attention from their owners.
Guinea pigs will not do well in an apartment or condominium because they need to be cleaned out regularly.
Have their nails trimmed regularly, and have other needs met in order for them to feel comfortable living with you (and vice versa).
If you don’t want this responsibility then maybe it would be better if your friend got one instead!
Guinea pigs need space
A guinea pig’s cage needs to be large enough to accommodate the animal, but it also needs to be cleaned every day.
To keep your guinea pig healthy and happy, you must make sure that the pen is cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant and warm water, and soap.
If you keep your guinea pig in a small space they may suffer from stress which can lead to early death.
Read more: 10 Things Guinea Pigs Hate Most.
Guinea pigs can be expensive to keep
You’re going to need to buy a lot of food and hay, which is not cheap.
You can expect to pay out about $100 per month on your guinea pig’s diet alone—and that doesn’t include bedding or cleaning supplies!
However, guinea pigs will only eat what they want, so if you feed them too much they may become overweight as a result.
This can lead to issues like diabetes or heart disease in older guinea pigs, so it’s important that their diet isn’t excessively high in calories or carbs.
Guinea pigs make noise at night
Your guinea pig may make loud noises at night when he or she is scared, excited, hungry, and in pain.
This is probably because they feel like they have nothing left to lose and are trying to communicate that emotion to you through their noise-making abilities.
The best way to prevent this from happening is by providing your pet with a safe haven where it can go when there are no other pets around him or her.
A large cage with a stable floor will help keep the animal calm during times of stress so that he doesn’t feel compelled to make noise as an outlet for his feelings (like when he’s lonely).
Read more: 9 Top Signs Your Guinea Pig Is Dying.
Conclusion
There are many reasons you shouldn’t get a guinea pig, but if you do your research beforehand, it’s possible to avoid most of these problems.
Guinea pigs are not for everyone because they require special care, and they can be expensive in the long run.
Before deciding on whether or not to get one as a pet, make sure that you’re prepared for all the responsibilities that come with owning one.
You’re probably wondering how to know if you should get a guinea pig. The answer is really simple: if you want one, go for it!
But before you do, make sure that your home is ready for this adorable pet.
If there are any potential problems with your place and its surrounding areas.
Then maybe reconsider whether or not maintaining a guinea pig would be worth the trouble.
