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From the corner cage comes the familiar chirping sound of a guinea pig requesting a little snack. Though this furry rodent looks like little more than an overgrown hamster, he has become a welcome addition to the family. As the toddlers rush to appease the call with grass and carrot tops, the pet, lovingly called “Piggybear”, purrs his appreciation.
The care and love given to any pet will influence his life span, but typically the species of domestic guinea pig lives approximately four to seven years. Though their ancestry is Peruvian, where they are considered a delicacy, guinea pigs have become increasingly popular over the decades as household pets. Ranging in appearance from short haired to beautiful long-haired Peruvian varieties, guinea pigs are available in numerous colors, shades and pattern combinations. As pets, these animals are interactive, cuddly and friendly family members.
For the parent considering a new family pet, a guinea pig is an excellent meeting point between the non-tactile goldfish and the high maintenance puppy. The size of a guinea pig ranges with age. Usually at the point when it is weaned from its mother, it is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, often with disproportionately large ears. They tend to grow to no larger than the size of an adult foot. Because of the size, this pet is large enough to hold and pat, but will still be too large to lose in the house as one might a mouse or gerbil. This means that a young child, toddler or preschool age, can learn to hold and pat their pet despite reduced strength and motor coordination.
Though training a guinea pig can be difficult, putting a newspaper down on the floor will often inspire him to leave his messes in one area, thus becoming a free roaming pet. With time, the guinea pig will learn to come when called, respond to the sound of the fridge door, and will find special sleeping places throughout the house or room.
For families not interested in a free roaming pet, a good cage will be a perfectly adequate home for a guinea pig. They enjoy having raised “porches” or “benches” in their cage to sit on. A cardboard box will serve this purpose. Though guinea pigs cannot climb, they can hop up onto these areas. As well, guinea pigs are inclined to crawl under things and sit in dark corners if given the opportunity. A sturdy cardboard box opened at one end will provide both of these comfort zones.
The low maintenance and easy care of a guinea pig makes him a perfect pet for a family living on a frugal budget, or a child learning to care for it’s first animal. Guinea pigs are exclusively vegetarian, eating anything from grass and hay to carrots and apples. Though a guinea pig will be happy with rodent or rabbit pellets, they will be delighted with a handful of alfalfa, parsley or dandelions. They will tend to eat as often and as much as you provide, and will be grateful for any produce leftovers like carrot peelings, tomato stems and melon rinds.
Bedding for a guinea pig can be comprised of newsprint, hay, shavings or combinations of these. A covering of newspaper on the bottom of the cage will simplify the clean-out process. Though their cages should be cleaned one to two times a week to avoid smells in the house, guinea pigs tend to be relatively odorless, clean animals. Baths for guinea pigs are not usually necessary, but can be given in warm water out of a draft if so desired. Although the guinea pig may attempt to jump out of their bath basin, they will enjoy the gentle after-bath rub-down with a soft towel, and will have fun being groomed with an old toothbrush.
Because guinea pigs tend to eat as the food arrives, they cannot be left alone for a weekend, as one could a goldfish. However, their size and lack of unpleasant smell makes them great traveling companions to family get-togethers or while visiting friends. A small travel box can be situated in a corner or on a counter out of the way. Leaving a guinea pig in the temporary care of a friend during a vacation or holiday is very easy. A box, some pellet food and a hanging water bottle is all that your pet sitter will need to know.
Guinea pigs will also, given the opportunity, develop a unique personality which may manifest as a preference for bottled water, matt newsprint, a particular corner of the room, a partiality to certain vegetables or family members, etc. In other words, they don’t just sit in a corner cage waiting for food. They communicate through various sounds which are easily recognized by their owners after a little time. In fact, guinea pigs have been known to demonstrate distinctive attitudes such as jealousy, affection and excitement. Their four long teeth (two upper, two lower) are very strong and sharp, but it is unlikely that a guinea pig would bite a person unless provoked. They are rodents and chewers, however, and one must keep this in mind when giving a guinea pig access to wood furnishings and books. It takes surprisingly little time for their deft teeth to wreak havoc on a chair leg.
All in all, a guinea pig, though still quite a responsibility, is a great alternative to larger animals in the house, and a cuddly companion for children learning the importance of caring for a pet.
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