Guinea Pigs as Pets

While it's true that Guinea Pigs as pets are small and generally easy to care for that doesn't mean you should take the responsibility of their care lightly. Afterall, once you have decided to get and care for a Guinea Pig as a cherished pet and companion you have decided to put your Guinea Pigs life in your hands.
Your Guinea Pig will depend on you for food, shelter, medical attention (when needed) and of course lots of personal care and attention from you.

This may seem like an obvious thing to you, but no pet should be considered if you don't have the time or the will to properly take care of it.

Cage cleaning, feeding and daily handling are all important tasks that can't be overlooked if you are to keep your Guinea Pig happy and healthy. Once you have decided that you can and want to take on all the responsibilities of caring for a Guinea Pig as your new pet, you should make sure you are informed about exactly what that means to you, the pet owner.

Ready to get started? Well, then come on, lets explore some of the things you should know about your new pet...

What's a Guinea Pig, Anyway?

Guinea pigs - small, cute, adorable, and at first glance, a wonderful family pet that takes little work and forethought. Like a goldfish, hermit crab, or some other small animal...right?

Wrong!

Guinea pigs, who are actually members of the rodent family, are native to South America. Ironically, they're not pigs, and they certainly aren't from Guinea.

Because of domestication, the guinea pig isn't actually found in the wild anymore. It's almost impossible to imagine these small, fuzzy creatures crawling over fallen logs and sleeping under the open skies.

Some people even competitively show and breed the guinea pig, though many guinea pigs simply live the 'good life', resting at home in a comfortable cage, with family who loves them.

Are Guinea Pigs Intelligent?

The big assumption that many parents have when they purchase a guinea pig for their children is that guinea pigs are stupid. This assumption is simply wrong! When you take into account their size, they're extremely intelligent animals, and owners often admit to being 'hassled' by their guinea pigs for love, attention, and treats.

Famous for their 'Wheek!', a squeak of sorts, this noise isn't made in the wild. It's often reserved for their owners, and the promise of a treat coming from the fridge.

Who Are Guinea Pigs Good For?

A guinea pig is not a pet that you can purchase and then casually 'forget about', and actually are a wonderful animal that deserves a good home with someone who will care from them.

Guinea pigs are often thought of as a child's pet, however, they're good pets for anyone who is looking for an affectionate animal that enjoys being both held and played with.

Guinea pigs are actually a wonderful pet for someone who needs a pet to love and nurture, for all ages. And if you're looking for a pet in a small apartment, a guinea pig is perfect!