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A Pet??? Guinea Pig

May 25th, 2010 at 03:38 pm

My XH thinks I should get our son a pet, basically a gerbil or hamster as a pet so that he can have a snuggly friend and learn to take care of things.

Of course I am not happy about this because I think they stink, to which my XH says Not if you take care of them.

I actually think a guinea pig would be nice. I went online and did some research. I guess I have to look into the towns animal rescue and see if they have any. I do not want to buy a pet from a pet store when there are always pets that need to be rescued.

I have two issues #1 that they do cost money, I would rather spend the $ putting the money in the bank for savings goals (but in this case $ is BUYING love). And #2 I am not sure how long you can leave them alone for.

I think on the few weekends per year that I go out of town if I make sure the cage is cleaned BEFORE I leave town and if I put fresh water and food out that in the 24-48 hours I am gone it would be fine.

Now the issue comes up what if I have to go out of town for an extended period. I know every summer I end up going out of town for 1 week to 2 weeks. I am pretty sure that would be way too long to leave it alone even with water bottle and or some sort of automatic feeder.

Worst case is if I would have to go out of town for an extended period. Last spring I was told I was going to be out of town for 3 days and then the POOP hit the fan and I was out of town for 5 weeks. I just think a pet would be too much in addition to all the changes that are already going on in DS and my life already.

I live in a city that when you combine the city next to it there is a total population of 70,000 people. I am pretty sure there is NOT a company that will come into your house and clean your pets cage and water/feed your pet for you while you are out of town so that you dont have to board it. I am not sure if they even have boarding options for pets that are not cats/dogs.

Boarding = $$$ but if I am going to get a pet I have to make sure I am aware of this things as I will need to board from time to time.

I dont want to talk myself out of getting a guinea pig (male and neutered) Because I would love for my son to have a pet; he LOVES animals but on the other hand I think I am LAZY. I think I like to keep things as easy as possible, meaning if I have to go out of town I dont want to have to get a pet all set up at a sitters in additional to packing up my son and getting him all set up at the sitters in addition to getting the apartment all set so it can be left unoccupied for the time I am gone.

What would you do? Would I be a bad pet owner because I am woried about the care of the pet IF I get very short notice from work about an assignment? Would I be a bad pet owner because I am mentally adding up the cost of the special HAY, food pellets and fresh fruit and vegtables it would eat that would be added to our monthly budget?

8 Responses to “A Pet??? Guinea Pig”

  1. Miz Pat Says:
    1274799344

    I have never heard of boarding a guinea pig. I think people usually arrange to have someone come in and feed and water them during trips. Do you have a friend you could trust to do this while you are on travel? If so, then I think the cost of feeding a guinea pig would be easily folded into a family budget.

    My sister's kids adopted a bunch of guinea pigs that had been rescued from an abusive situation and they are the fattest sassiest cutest things I've ever seen, except, of course, for my chihuahua.

    Actually, I would like to buy some too or a pet rat, but I'm afraid my dogs would drive them to early graves. I'm contemplating fish.

  2. Joan.of.the4.Arch Says:
    1274802188

    Perhaps the pet guinea pig should live at Dad's place if he does not travel. Or, your son could take the g.p. with him where ever he goes when you are out of town? And of course it's not at all unreasonable to consider the costs of a pet before you get one. Anyone should. ....BTW, a friend is deathly allergic to g.pigs. Anyone in your household have asthma?

  3. ann link Says:
    1274809651

    Aren't his opinions one of the reasons he is your X?

  4. LittleMsMom Says:
    1274810966

    My XH husband is deathly allergic to cats, I wonder if a Guinea Pig would fall under that catergory.

    I would love to just send the pet with to my cousin who watchs my son when I am out of town but they have two children and both work and so I would not want to over stress them with a (third) Child and a Guinea Pig.

    I suggested XH get the pet for him for when he visits him, but XH said then "He would have to take care of it when DS is not around so that would defeat the purpose".

    XH travels more than I do for work, this is because he travels at least once a month for a 60 hour block of time, I only travel a 24-36 block of time once a quarter or less.

    I wonder if you can foster parent a pet from the rescue center so we could try it out on a temporary basis to make sure DS is not allergic and we could see how much work it would be before adopting. I have heard of some centers doing that with dogs and cats.

    I dont have anyone to come over and watch the g.p. that is why my cousin watches my child. She is the closest relative I have. Once I am in the new apartment I fear having a stranger care for the pets (basically announcing I am not home).

  5. Looking Forward Says:
    1274811699

    We've had guinea pigs in the past and they make great pets! I would recommend female pigs, they are much less smelly. In fact we had three girls and I cleaned their cage weekly and we never had an odor issue. I think rats, hamsters and mice have more smelly urine and they are not as friendly as guinea pigs.

    In a town your size I don't think you would have a problem finding someone to "pet sit". Check on pet store posting boards or veterinary offices. Or even board the pig at a veterinarian’s office. We have boarded our clients guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and birds. If you couldn't leave the pet where your son is staying.

    For good information online check out (google) Guinea Lynx.

  6. Looking Forward Says:
    1274812018

    I just read your comment..
    If your XH can't manage to care for a small pet I am not sure I would leave my child with him.

  7. pretty cheap jewelry Says:
    1274812282

    We also just gave last rights to our 7 year old guinea.

    TIP: It is fine to leave for a weekend. Our neighbor was all too happy to watch it when we were gone more than 3-4 days.

    TIP: Save money on litter! Do not buy wood chips as the critter will kick them about and mess up your dresser/floor. Instead line the cage bottom with a few sections of newspaper and the fill with junk mail fed through a strip shredder. (The strip thingys are hard to find now though, most of the shredders do cross cut which is not suitable). Though you will save $$, the newspaper needs to be cleaned about 2 times/week. GOOD ALTERNATIVE: Buy the pricey 'YEsterday's News' cat litter (compresses news pellets). The big 40 lb bag is about $18, but the litter does not need changed for at LEAST 7 days.

    Feed it vege scraps!! even let it on the lawn as grass is good for it (never in the direct sunlight though as it can have a heart attack).

    We actually had two over the years, one from a breeder and one from the shelter. The pet store ones are not handled enough from birth and are more likely to nip.

  8. nmboone Says:
    1274848103

    Guinea pigs make such great pets! My sister had one named Angel and she was very sweet. Unfortunately she died a few years ago (vet said it was likely cancer) and her death was very sad. My sister taught it several tricks and it was neat to see her do them! I would say go for it once you figure everything out. I would have never thought to get one from a shelter though.

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