If you are thinking about adding a new addition to your family but aren’t quite sure what, you may want to consider getting a guinea pig.
Guinea pigs are great first pets, especially for children! Like any pet, they require responsibility, but not as much compared to other animals. Guinea pigs are known to be pretty healthy animals as long as they are cared for properly, which is actually pretty simple.
Guinea pigs love cool air, so they do not to be taken outside, they can just stay in their cage! They need to be fed with either hay or specific food for them each day, along with supplying them water. They need to have a lined cage that has plenty of room for them to roam around in and be comfortable. Make sure to clean their cage at least once a week so they can have a fresh and clean home to live in.
Guinea pigs of the opposite gender should be separated if you don’t want any more than you already have. They also have lots of fun to have around. You may know that cats purr when they are pet or are happy in general, but guinea pigs do the same thing! Young guinea pigs also like to perform a trick called “popcorning.” This is when they jump up and down numerous times in a row so they kind of look like popcorn kernels popping. It is very entertaining to watch them do this.
While there are so many fun things about guinea pigs, really make sure you are ready for the commitment before you get one. Their average lifetime is 5-7 years, so you have to be willing to care for them that entire time. If you aren’t sure you want that long of a commitment, maybe stick to another pet similar, but with a shorter lifespan.
If you’re up for some amazing years with an adorable pet, then get a guinea pig!