Why Guinea Pigs Can Make The Perfect Pet

For many animal lovers, it seems second nature to want to own a pet but the difficulty often lies in choosing the right type. With so many different species, breeds, and sub-species within breeds, it's no surprise that making the right owner and pet match can leave you with a bit of a headache!

Small pets such as hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and similar rodent-like furry creatures can be an excellent choice, especially if you're not in the position to accommodate the full-time commitments associated with a dog or horse for example. That's not to say that a smaller animal needs very little attention. All pets need life-long dedication from a loving owner but the relative care needed for a guinea pig, for example, is very different to a dog. However, the happiness and fun that any pet can bring is immeasurable, whatever their size!

It's not uncommon for the pressing need to become a pet owner to be dictated by the pleading and begging of the junior members of the family. Children seem to have an innate desire to have a cuddly living creature to call their own and pets can certainly be great educators and help children learn to care and develop a sense of responsibility. However, even if a pet "belongs" to a child, the ultimate accountability for its welfare must always lie with the parent or adult.

Most small animal pets are generally quite easy to obtain, don't usually break the bank and make fun and interesting companions that are fairly easy to look after. It is tempting to bunch this group together and assume that they all make equally good pets for everyone, especially children - this can be a big mistake. Young children may not appreciate a hamster that sleeps all day and is only coming to life just as they are going off to bed. Additionally, hamsters are quite small (especially if you were thinking of buying a dwarf) and very fast when they want to be. This can make handling difficult for small fingers and the poor hammy may be accidentally squeezed too hard in an attempt to keep it still. Understandably, a nervous hamster that is being poorly handled may then resort to its only defence mechanism and deliver a well placed bite. This is not the sort of introduction to animal keeping that you would want a small child to encounter.

Rabbits, whilst one of the most popular types of pets, again are not really recommended for the younger pet lover. With strong, powerful legs and a general aversion to being picked up, they really do need an older and more responsible handler. With a life expectancy of up to ten years which over-shadows any hamster (they are lucky to get beyond two!) they are also quite a considerable commitment and do need a decent amount of space - a really good sized, appropriate rabbit cages can be quite a financial commitment.

There are also rats, chinchillas, degus, gerbils...and others to choose from. Individual animal lovers will no doubt be able to fight the corner for each of these different types of pets and advocate that they should be top of the small pet poll. So what is it that makes guinea pigs such a good choice...?

• Guinea pigs are generally very easy to care for. They don't need to be taken out for a two mile walk everyday! Guinea pigs can be left quite happily unattended whilst you go out to work/school.

• Once they are tame, guinea pigs are generally very sociable animals that are affectionate, with a good temperament and are very soft, cute and fun to be with! It is very rare for guinea pigs to bite and they are of a very cuddle-able size that makes them quite easy to handle and therefore a good pet for supervised younger children.

• Unlike hamsters, guinea pigs sleep at night and are awake during the day making them a much better company.

• They are great communicators and have a wonderful range of guinea pig sounds, squeaks and wheeks. It's great fun getting to know their individual personalities and what they are trying to tell you in their own unique guinea pig way!

• Provided that they are cleaned out regularly, guinea pigs don't have an unpleasant smell and can therefore be housed indoors.

• Keeping indoor guinea pigs allows them to become an integral part of the family. They can be tamed much more easily and having easy access to them allows any problems to be detected early.

• If you don't have room indoors, guinea pigs can stay outside in appropriate accommodation, although they will need to be moved into a shed or other suitable building over the winter. Don't use garages that house cars as the fumes can be harmful to the guinea pig.

• Generally, guinea pigs are healthy animals, requiring little veterinary input or any vaccinations.

• Guinea pigs are pack animals and should not be bought in isolation. Buying more than one guinea pig obviously is an additional cost, but we think of more than one as an advantage!

• It can be difficult to sex guinea pigs accurately. To avoid the likelihood of an unwanted litter, it really is best to consider purchasing your two guinea pigs through a breeder or someone who has expertise in this area.

• There is always the small risk that your guinea pigs may not get on. Usually if they are from the same litter or introduced as young pups, then compatibility is more likely. There are no guarantees, however. More than two boars will often fight, but sows can be housed together in larger groups. Some people minimise this risk by going to rescue centres and rehoming pairs that are already bonded. There are plenty of abandoned guinea pigs that would love a new home.

• Guinea pigs need plenty of space. One of the reasons some pairings do not get on is because they are too cramped and have no independent space and therefore good sized accommodation is essential. This can be expensive. Additionally, it is important that they have access to some form of exercise each day, whether this is in an outdoor run or a playpen indoors.

• Guinea pigs are vegans and are reliant on their human owner's knowledge of their dietary requirements to ensure that they thrive. Like humans, guinea pigs do not produce their own vitamin C and need specific food designed for them that has this added. As a rodent, their teeth are constantly growing and they require a diet rich in fibre to ensure that they don't develop any dental problems. Hay is their main food source and they should ALWAYS have access to a good quality supply.

• Guinea pigs need daily access to vegetables and fruit. Whilst it's fun hearing their excited squeaks as they are about to get their favourite treats, you need to be aware that this is an additional daily cost.

• A tame guinea pig is a great pet but taming doesn't always come easily or quickly. Some guinea pigs can take months to feel comfortable being handled whilst others become your best friend in a matter of a few weeks! A patient owner that handles their guinea pig calmly, confidently and regularly is much more likely to succeed.

• Guinea pigs should NEVER be housed with rabbits for several reasons. Their dietary needs are different - rabbits do not need additional vitamin supplements and access to such a regular intake of vegetables. Indeed a rabbit could get quite ill if it ate the amount of greens that a guinea pig needs. Guinea pigs are susceptible to catching diseases from rabbits that can be life threatening. Rabbits are generally bigger, stronger and with very powerful legs which can seriously harm or even kill a defenceless guinea pig. An over-amorous rabbit may result in a broken spine for a poor guinea pig.

Remember guinea pigs are pack animals, very sociable and like to chatter and squeak - rabbits are a different species with their own different needs.

• Guinea pigs housing, food bowls and water bottles need regular cleaning

• Whilst generally healthy, guinea pigs do need regular checks by their owners to spot any signs of disease or illness. Guinea pigs are very tolerant of pain and it may be a long way down the line before any serious illness is obvious if you do not do regular health checks.

Dental problems are quite common. Get used to looking in you guinea pig's mouth so that you know what is normal and what isn't. Overgrown teeth and abscesses can quickly lead to difficulty feeding, weight loss and serious illness. Ensure that you are feeding an appropriate diet and hay is always available. Seek veterinary advice if you're unsure.

Guinea pigs nails keep on growing throughout their life. If your guinea pig is housed outside with access to concrete flooring, you may be lucky and get away without having to regularly manicure their feet. Most guinea pigs however do need their nails clipping every month or so depending on the individual's own wear and tear. If you're not sure what to do, ask your vet for a demonstration until you feel confident yourself.

Handling your guinea pigs for any health check or treatment can be daunting. Use a small towel to wrap him in so that he feels secure and can't squirm. Take time out to read about different ailments and conditions that could affect your guinea pig and seek advice sooner rather than later from your vet.

• A guinea pig isn't as demanding as a dog but certainly isn't as independent as a goldfish either! You need to consider holiday or weekend cover if you go away.

So, is a guinea pig the perfect small pet for you? With quite a lengthy list of disadvantages you may begin to wonder. Keeping any pet is not without responsibility and many of the guinea pig rescue centres are full of pets that people got without really doing their homework. Many animal lovers would view some of the disadvantages as positive aspects of caring for their guinea pigs e.g. having fun experimenting with favourite veggie treats or spending quality time bonding with their pet either through exercise play or even having a cuddle whilst trimming their nails!

I think most guinea pig owners would agree that their pet is perfect to them!