Anyone own a Guinea pig?

[htown]

Yummmmmm!

Originally Posted by hotreds

1 guinea pig, de-haired, gutted, and cleaned
1/2 c. flour
1/4 - 1/2 t. ground cumin
salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 c. oil
Cooking Instructions

Pat dry the skin of the guinea pig and rub in the cumin, salt, and pepper. Preheat oil. Dust the carcass with the flour and place it on its back in the oil, turning to cook both sides. Alternately, the guinea pig can be cut and fried in quarters.

Serve with boiled potato or boiled manioc root, and a salad of cut tomatoes and slivered onions bathed in lime juice and a bit of salt. Have cold beer on hand.

[captain53]

My son had one that lived for about 10 years which is most unusual. She (Name was Miss Piggy) was a good little quiet low maintenance pet but like others have mentioned no matter how well you maintain the cages they still emit odor but if you do keep them very clean it is not too bad. You can safely leave them with food and water unattended for a weekend trip which is nice, can't do that with dogs and cats.

Biggest negative is the kids go on to the next thrill after a while and Mom and Dad are now doing the pig maintenance duties.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by bigliver

...beyond that, if you own a Bassett Hound, he will kill and eat at least one of the pair. It's pretty devastating to a 4 year old girl.

Gee, My basset hound is afraid of mine. I'm on my second one and Every time I pick up the piggy and show it to the dog, the dog runs away!!!

Originally Posted by captain53

You can safely leave them with food and water unattended for a weekend trip which is nice, can't do that with dogs and cats.

I will say that this did not work with my first pig. But then again he was HUGE!!! The pig would eat everything in sight right away. It was not a grazer like they are supposed to be. We just got a new younger one and he is more of a grazer.

Both of mine liked to get up on my shoulder when I was sitting and watch TV with me. Just make sure you don't have long hair because they think that it's hay and will bite your ear.

Other than that, they are great. clean the cage once a week, let him run around (keep the cords out of reach) and watch them run and jump. Can't get either one of mine use the guinea pig ball though so I recomend that you don't get one of those.

[floydpink]

My 5 year old daughter really wanted one so I took her to Petsmart.

The very helpful girl told me they are fine, but need a larger cage and do best with a mate.

She also said normally after a month the child gets bored with it and it becomes the parent's responsibilty.

I left with a Beta fish who has since taken the eternal toilet bowl nap.