Buy a pet guinea pig for your home

Are you interested in getting a pet but think that a cat or dog will not fit into your lifestyle or living space? Then perhaps a pet like a guinea pig is just what you are looking for. Guinea pigs are friendly and outgoing but there are a few things you need to know before you can be sure they will be a good fit for your home and your lifestyle.

They make good pets but what makes them such good companion animals? Their size is neither too large to fit into a small space nor so small you cannot handle them safely. Their personalities are friendly and adaptable. Their ease of care: a standard diet of readily available ingredients. However, before getting one you should look at finding out as much as you can so that you can provide them with the safest and healthiest living environment possible.

Other rodents such as mice, hamsters and gerbils are firmly nocturnal. This can make it difficult for them to fit in with the activity cycle of most families. A guinea pig will adapt its activity to be more compatible with that of its environment. This can lead to increased interaction with people and make it a more desirable pet.

Their size is also an asset when you are considering one for a pet. Although any young child should be closely supervised if they are handling an animal the larger size of a guinea pig makes them easier to handle and somewhat less fragile than other rodents like hamsters, gerbils or rats. Guinea pigs can be ten inches long and often weigh several pounds.

Guinea pigs also have a longer life span than that of smaller rodents. They can be expected to live an average of four to five years but some particularly long lived pigs have lived as long as eight years. This should not be treated as the normal lifespan however. One advantage of this longer lifespan is that guinea pigs have a chance to bond with their owners and can become quite affectionate and outgoing.

If you have ever heard a guinea pig you know how loud they can be. They have quite a large vocabulary of different sounds which range from squeals and chirps to purring, clicking and squeaking. They will make very specific noises that their owners will come to understand and often are quite demanding vocally if they know that their owner is nearby and there are treats to be had.

Although guinea pigs seem like easy animals to keep there are a few things you need to keep in mind. They have some specific nutritional and health requirements in order to keep them healthy. They need a diet that is rich in fibre and vitamin C in order to keep them in top physical shape. A balanced diet that features a variety of fruits and vegetables, good quality pellets, hay and clean, fresh drinking water will help to keep your guinea pig healthy and content.

If you do decide to open your home and your heart to a pet guinea pig, you should know that you are gaining a loyal companion for the next four to five years. These large rodents can be a fun and friendly addition to your family life.