Guinea pigs as pets

Guinea pigs can make wonderful pets and have plenty of love and affection to share with their owners. Young children especially enjoy spending time with guinea pigs as they are quiet, docile and affectionate. My daughters (ages 3 and 5) love playing “babies” with their pet guinea pigs “Raven” and “Amy” – the piggies even seem to enjoy being pushed around the house in a doll’s pram!

Some of the characteristics of guinea pigs which make them suitable pets include:

• they are social animals and can easily bond with their owners and even with other animals
• they don’t require a large amount of space
• they are very entertaining little creatures, due to their curious nature
• they are clean, and don’t smell unless they are not cared for properly
• they are relatively easy and inexpensive to feed
• they can (usually) be trained to use a litter box
• unlike a dog, they don’t need to be taken on long daily walks, or taken outside for “bathroom breaks”
• they are quiet and won’t annoy your family or neighbors with constant noise!
• they are docile and only bite in rare circumstances such as when they are sick, or feel threatened or trapped

However, to know whether guineas pigs will be suitable pets for your family, there are a few lifestyle factors to
be taken into account.

1. Allergies

Guinea pig dander is a reasonably common allergen, so if anyone in your family has a tendancy to allergies, it would be wise to take the whole family to visit a breeder or pet store so you can all spend some time with guinea pigs and make sure there are no allergic reactions. Allergies to hay and straw are also common but can be more easily managed by choosing alternative types of bedding and/or hay pellets rather than loose, potentially dusty hay.

2. Got the time?

To really enjoy your pet guinea pig, you need to have sufficient time both to care for him and to socialize with him. To become really tame, you need to handle him every day until he comes to know and trust you. You will need to spend more time with your piggy if you only keep one. Two piggies are better if your time is limited (and whose isn’t these days) as they keep each other company while you’re busy.

3. Do you travel extensively?

Keep in mind that if you are often away from home, you will need to arrange for someone else to feed, clean, and care for your piggy. This can get expensive unless, of course, there are teenagers in your neighborhood who love piggies too, and who are trustworthy enough that you can be sure your piggy will be well cared for while you are away.

4. Room to move

Do you have sufficient space to keep your guinea pig comfortably? The minimum size for a cage is 2 square feet per guinea pig. It is much better, though, to have a larger cage so your piggy can run around and get exercise whenever he feels so inclined. You will find that 7 square feet per guinea pig makes for a much happier, more energetic piggy. In most parts of the world, you will need to keep your piggy indoors at least over winter, if not all year.

5. Furniture

If you plan to let your piggies roam around your house for part of the day, be sure you keep them restrained to part of the house where you don’t mind if the timber furniture gets chewed! Keeping guinea pigs may not be a good idea if you love antique furniture!

6. Other pets

If you currently keep cats or dogs, you need to be aware that cats and dogs are predators by nature, and guinea pigs are prey animals. Most cats and dogs can be trained to not hassle the piggy, but you will need to keep this in mind at all times, and never leave them alone together as instinct is a powerful force.

7. Zoning

Before getting a pet guinea pig, make sure they are permitted in your local area. In some areas, local government ordinances do not allow pet rodents in residential developments.

8. Children

If your guinea pig will be a pet for your child, remember that you have the ultimate responsibility for its care. Children, even with the best of intentions, cannot be fully responsible for every aspect of their pets’ care. Depending on each child’s age and level of maturity, some responsibility can be given, which is a fantastic learning opportunity for them.

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