If you are looking for a first pet for yourself or for your child, you are probably painfully aware of how many options you have available to you. Some like the cat and dog make great pets, but they can be a big responsibility for a first-time pet owner, while some of the more modern exotic pets like the Ball python can have challenging habitats that are difficult to maintain.
The guinea pig is one of the most popular and suitable pets for beginners, and if you are thinking about getting one of these animals for your home, keep reading while we take an in-depth look at your compatibility.
The 10 Reasons the Guinea Pigs Are Good Pets
1. Generally Healthy with the Right Care
Guinea pigs tend to be fairly hardy as long as they are kept in the right environment and fed a healthy diet rich in vitamin C. They usually live for about four to seven years, longer than other similar-sized pet rodents. That said, they are sensitive to temperature extremes and can become ill from drafts or heat. If you live in a hot and humid climate, you’ll need to ensure your guinea pig stays cool, ideally in a space kept between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. A little attention to these environmental details can go a long way in supporting their long-term health.
2. “Low” Maintenance
Guinea pigs are often labeled as low-maintenance animals, especially when compared to pets like dogs, since they don’t need daily walks or as much training. However, this perception can be misleading. While their basic setup, consisting of a cage, hay, pellets, vegetables, and a vitamin C supplement, may seem simple, guinea pigs require consistent daily care. Their enclosures can quickly become messy, making daily cleaning essential to keep things hygienic.
In addition, guinea pigs need regular interaction, mental stimulation, and environmental enrichment through items like chew toys, tunnels, and hiding spots. So while the care routine may become familiar over time, it’s important to remember that these sensitive little animals are a significant, ongoing responsibility.
3. Great With Children
Guinea pigs are often considered good pets for children, especially older ones, because they are generally more social and less likely to bite than other small rodents like mice or gerbils. However, guinea pigs are sensitive and easily stressed, and their care requires more time and attention than many expect. Young children, in particular, may unintentionally overwhelm them with too much handling or noise.
While guinea pigs can help teach responsibility and empathy, it’s essential that an adult takes the lead in their care and ensures interactions are gentle and appropriate. With proper supervision, they can indeed make wonderful companions for children who are calm, patient, and ready to learn.
4. Strong Personality
One of the most interesting things about the guinea pig is that, like humans, each one has a unique personality. It can be quite a bit of fun learning the differences between two or more guinea pigs. Each will have strong likes and dislikes, and their daily routines will be different as well.
5. Guinea Pigs Purr
Another interesting fact about guinea pigs that makes them lovely pets is that they purr like a cat when they are happy. It can be especially entertaining when they do it while your child’s handling it, creating a bonding experience that will help your child enjoy interacting with their pet.
6. They Get Excited
Guinea pigs are fun to watch because they tend to get excited when they see you approach the cage, especially when they are young. When they get excited, they often start to “popcorn,” which many owners call the strange vertical jumping that they do, which resembles popping kernels of popcorn.
7. Many Varieties
There are many varieties of guinea pigs, so you are sure to find something you like. You can purchase these pets with long or short hair and in multiple colors. According to the American Cavey Breeders Association, there are 13 breeds and ten possible colors.
8. Guinea Pigs Bond With Their Owners
As we mentioned briefly, your Guinea pig will learn to recognize you and other family members and will often get excited when it sees you approaching its cage. It has keen eyesight and a strong memory which helps it recognize faces and sounds from a significant distance. Even when it gets older and stops doing the popcorn jump, it will still rush to the side of the cage to greet you when it sees you coming.
9. Active During the Day
Guinea pigs are active during the day, so they are ready to go when you are, and they are less likely to keep you up at night running on wheels like the hamster or mouse. Children will also be happy that their pet is not sleeping when they want to play.
10. Better in Pairs
Guinea pigs are social animals that prefer to live in groups. Many experts recommend keeping at least two guinea pigs, so they won’t get lonely. In fact, it’s illegal to keep just one guinea pig in Switzerland; they must be kept at least in pairs.
Summary
Guinea pigs make excellent first pets for children and adults. They are easy to maintain and fun to watch. Children love them because they can carry them around and they are awake during the day. Adults enjoy their unique personalities and many varieties. Despite their small size, guinea pigs make great companions.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over this short guide, and it has helped answer your questions. If we have convinced you to get one of these wonderful pets for your home, please share our look into if guinea pigs make good pets on Facebook and Twitter.
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Featured Image Credit: Frauke Feind, Pixabay
