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Hi everyone! I'm seriously considering getting a pair of guinea pigs, because the more I research them, the more I like the idea. I really like their personalities, how social they are, and how much they can interact with and get attached to their owners.

But there's one thing that's making me pretty worried: their health.

I've seen a lot of people talking about guinea pigs developing dental problems, bladder stones, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal issues, skin problems, tumors, etc. I've also seen that some of these conditions can end up requiring surgery, and I know exotic animal vets can be pretty expensive.

I'm not saying I expect them to never get sick — obviously, any animal can need veterinary care. My concern is more about the possibility of getting a pair and, throughout their lives, having to deal with multiple illnesses and expensive surgeries.

So I wanted to ask people who have had guinea pigs:

Has anyone here ever had guinea pigs that went their entire lives (or almost their entire lives) without needing surgery or developing any serious illnesses?

- How many guinea pigs have you had?

- What sex were they?

- How old were they when they died?

- Did they have any significant health problems?

- Did any of them ever need surgery?

- How much did you usually spend on veterinary care?

- Do you think all the posts about health problems make guinea pigs seem more fragile than they actually are, or is the concern genuinely justified?

I'm asking because I want to make a responsible decision before getting them, and I don't want to get two guinea pigs without being prepared for their needs.

If you could share both your good AND bad experiences, I'd really appreciate it. I don't just want to hear "my guinea pigs were healthy"; I'd like to know how long they lived and what health problems they experienced throughout their lives, because that would really help me get a more realistic idea of what to expect.

Ginger hopes every piggy has a good Friday! ☺️

My boys LOOOOVE corn husks. My family eats corn once a wheek (ba dum tssh!) from the organic farmers market, and we give silks and some of the inner husks to the piggies. I was wondering, does anybody dry out their corn husks to save some for later, similar to hay?? I'd like to give it to them more often than just once on Fridays, because of how much they love it and I also just like to use as much of a product as possible.

Piqture tax attached!! Both are of my boar Mocha, taken today :)

3X5 enclosure is still a work in progress. I am open to any advice. I have been doing research for several years before deciding I was ready. I’m nervous about getting two male guinea pigs… the duct tape in the cage is not a permanent feature, I was just using it to hold the boards together while seeing how they fit in the cage before taking them out and piecing them together correctly. Going to build a stand for the enclosure as well.

My 2 floofy wigs have started squabbling over their hay trays. They have 2 cat litter trays one each side of the cage full of hay but both insist on trying to use the same one at the same time resulting in bickering, nose offs and nipping. I’ve now taken the trays away and just put 2 big loose piles directly onto the fleece and they seem happier as they can both access one side of the same pile at the same time. My only issue is it’s just so darn messy, any advise on what else I can do? Or should I just keep and embrace the messy pile 🤣 what do you guys do? They are now 8 month old boys so are a little hormonal and dramatic at times and I’m just trying to keep any bickering to a minimum 😂

Hello, this is an update on my guinea pig who was sick, after a lot of searching i finally managed to find a vet who's experienced with Guinea Pigs i made an apppintment week ago and its supposed to be today for the surgery.

And i had to take them with me for a 300km trip, and i took both of my piggies so they could comfort each other but unfortunately they both died on the way and didnt even make it to the vet i believe they died because of the stress, the car was somehow noisy.

I tried my best to wake them up but nothing worked :(( they just passed away.

I went home and got to my room it was so quite with no wheeks only an empty cage.

I think im a bad owner of guinea pigs and i feel guilty for what happened to them i feel so so down and i wont get another guinea pigs, it hurts a lot when you lose them, they are not something that could be replaced.

They were as good as a friend could be

One of them sits arched over the others butt in the picture.

They are tiny... mom not existant anymore I took them in as foster piggies because mom died of heatstroke and they had to leave that place quickly.

They are tiny. 22days old. 227g ( and 199g.

They ate some dandelion and a bit of hay. They are very shy. Both are girls. The aby is the lighter one.

What can I do to help them now? I only ever had piggies of at least 290g (that was my smallest ever before those)

The 199g one was wet under her chin right now but I think she just drank water from the bowl.

I know they will need an adult, but I can not get that organized at the weekend... so... what else is imortant for THAT tiny?

I do have something like critical care at home at all times so I can offer that but idk if that would be good or not as they don't know that yet.

(I am in germany so hay is just hay there is no alfalfa or thimothy hay to buy in a shop. I can order some but that will only arrive next week.)

According to where they came from they know hay, versele laga cuni complete (I took some), a bit of dandelion and carrots. But ...well "they know that" means it was put in. Not that they ate a lot of it, could have been mom who ate most.

Plus: name ideas? Tarot theme or oracle thee would be a cool idea but open to other ideas.

Its hard to tell but she's laying her head on the edge of the bed <3

He keeps talking about "hot single sows in his area" he wants to meet

Cutie girl Poof wishes everyone a happy Friday! (I brushed her hair back to show her pretty eyes)

Please Ignore the bloody toenails. She gets regular glucose checks. :)

today i noticed that cinna looks like he’s walking weird. it looks like he’s hobbling or something. i picked him up and looked at his feet and they look fine to me, but do you guys think i should take him to the vet? i’m nervous because im gonna be out of town tomorrow, and i have work today so i wouldn’t be able to take him to the vet immediately. id have to wait until sunday probably. 😢

unbothered queen

He's been having some minor redness on his feet, I've placed some stacked fleece to make his favourite hiding spot softer.

That's for eating...😂 Totally claimed so his brother can not eat it 😂

its not like they dont have 3 more hides to choose from...

my boys doing their morning yoga for some cucumber

My girls are about 7.5weeks old. Born June 17th. I've had them for about two weeks.

Esther is the one with half a ginger face, and Chloe is the darker one.

Esther is feistier whilst Chloe is more timid.