Are the Kids Pestering You For a Pet? Have You Considered a Guinea Pig?
Kids just love having pets, but unfortunately animals in the household can be a big headache for parents. Pets can be a nuisance, they make a mess, they’re expensive when you have to go to the vet, and what do you do with them when you go on holidays? But even so kids still love having pets. So if you’re a parent and you’ve had your children pestering you for a pet what options do you have?
Have you considered guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for the kids. They are small, not too messy, cute and cuddly, don’t get sick frequently and can be left outside. They don’t drop hair all over your carpet, they don’t chew your furniture and they don’t bark until the neighbors complain. They’re cheap to buy, cheap to house and cheap to feed.
A piggie is perhaps the perfect pet for kids who live in a household with parents who don’t want a long-term commitment or the hassles of buying a cat or dog. Whilst a cat or a dog can live for up to 15 years or more, leading to a seriously long-term commitment to your pet, a guinea pig has a lifespan of not much more than 5 years.
It is not difficult making your piggie into your best friend. They are easy to handle, even for kids, and rarely bite. If the children handle them regularly then they are very easy to tame and will very happily sit on the child’s lap while they are stroked or brushed.
However they do not take well to being dropped, particularly from a height, and so young children should be supervised when handling them.
They are social animals and are happy to be in the company of human beings that treat them well. They also like being with other guinea pigs and so if you are buying some pigs for the family it’s better to get two. It is possible to keep one piggy on his own however he may become lonely so it’s important to spend more time with him.
They are easy to feed and they are cheap to feed, however it’s important to understand that they require vitamin C in their diets or else they can, like people, get scurvy. They love vegetables and if you provide plenty of fresh vegetables you should be sufficient vitamin C. It is possible to get commercial guinea pig pellets as well.
They also like fresh hay and grass which are both a good staple.
But before you buy your first guinea pig you need to understand a few things about housing them. They must be housed in a good guinea pig hutch.
Housing your piggie is something you need to think about before you buy him. Most commercial guinea pig hutches sold in pet shops are too small. They need space to run around and exercise, as well as some space for toys to play with. It is not difficult to build your own hutch and it’s a good project for dad to share with the kids.
Some simple timbers, some wire and a few hinges and clasps can make your piggie a cage that he’ll be happy with. It’s possible to house your guinea pig outdoors however they are susceptible to particularly cold or hot weather and care should be taken on hot or cold days. It’s essential that they have a sleeping area in the hutch that is dry and free of wind, where they can have a bed of straw or hay to sleep on.
So if you’ve been wondering about what to do for a pet for the kids then it may be worth considering giving them a guinea pig. They will love their piggy and it’s a wonderful way to introduce kids to animals.
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