They aren’t handled for more than a few hours a day and can’t really be “played-with” like other companion pets. Fat pads in the cheeks, which are normal, can make examination of guinea pig teeth difficult. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Description and Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs, Breeding and Reproduction of Guinea Pigs. }); It means more than simply providing food and shelter. It’s no different when it comes to owning guinea pigs and here’s why you should choose them: A dog needs a lot of attention and time and must be taken on daily walks. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. Read about our approach to external linking. When they do, they leave traces of their saliva (and that protein) all over their bodies. Please enable JavaScript to take full advantage of iPlayer. Care, exercise, and sustenance. They aren’t completely emotionless like turtles are, but at the same time, they aren’t as wildly passionate as dogs. facelift, and Lolly the guinea pig goes under risky anaesthetic. save some seriously poorly border collie pups. So, if you are looking for a pet that balances a mild, aloof attitude with an engaging curiosity, then a guinea pig is a good pet for you. Not that we are judging. Traders began taking them to other areas of the world in the 1500s. They are taught to take care of an animal’s needs in order to prevent it from dying. You don’t need to take them on hour-long walks everyday like dogs or bathe them regularly. Others might have nothing more than a runny nose and the occasional sneeze. Even if your guinea pig lives in there for longer and makes a mess, it … If you move around a lot, they might feel added stress from having to adapt to new surroundings, scents, and sounds. A pair of guinea pigs can easily snuggle into this. Then some people also just settle for a goldfish. The reason people associate fur with allergies is because many animals groom themselves. Doris the chicken gets herself into a bit of a flap, and Cat the vet is on the hunt. A good way to avoid these costs is to take good care of your guinea pig. It comes with a good design, enough to suit any modern house. water-loving moggy, and Cheryl helps bring two rabbits together. People love having dogs and cats because they are great companions with diverse personalities and can become your friends that you can talk to. White Crested Guinea Pig | Breed Info &... Can Guinea Pigs Live Outside? James has a real emergency on his hands when a colleague's dog is badly injured. James faces surgery on a water-loving moggy, and Cheryl helps bring two rabbits together. The only times your guinea pigs might lose their temper is if their cages are too small, there isn’t enough food, or they are fighting over a toy. Try doing some guinea pig exercise activities with them and see for yourself. Final Words. Jabba, Lolly and Hercules. The Pets Factor - Looking after Lolly (the guinea pig) Lolly the guinea pig has to go under anesthetic to make her sleep while the vets make sure she is healthy. Think of them like an extroverted introvert. Guinea pigs fulfill a companion role that’s sort of a mixture of a cat’s laid-back, affectionate nature and the decorative capabilities of fish. Some people look for animals with wild and upbeat personalities. Unfortunately for many people, guinea pigs can cause them to have an allergic reaction. But we’d still like to hear why you either agree or disagree with us. From there, various cultures began raising, breeding, and interacting with Guinea Pigs. Instead, they tend to be quieter and mind their own business just fine. Learn from our best advice on how to be a responsible guinea pig owner. If you do need to travel, we recommend having a pet sitter. Some are treated as little more than oversized rats with more personality and less temper. Think of the large price tags that come with purebred dogs, cats, and even some fish. Even though monthly upkeep doesn’t break the bank, you should be aware of a more “hidden” cost of a guinea pig: vet bills. When it comes to travel and vacations, your guinea pig might not want to join you. Guinea pigs are quite small and their cage can fit comfortably into the corner of a room in the house. Cheryl gets to the bottom of Bella the cat’s mystery problem. Jabba, Lolly and Hercules. But, are guinea pigs good pets? If you take the time to gauge more than a guinea pig's looks, you have a better chance of getting a wonderful, long-living pet. They need personal time, but are almost always up for some sweet bonding moments. Make sure to keep your piggies in an environment with an adequate temperature between 60°F to 75°F. This isn’t a problem for most other pets but for guinea pigs, it means that you’ll have to specifically buy Vitamin C supplements or feed vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables every day. The Kaytee Guinea pig cage will be suitable for two young critters, and when they grow older, you may need to switch them to a bigger cage. We might go out on a limb and say that most of you reading this might agree that guinea pigs are good pets. if (idConfig.signin_url) { Home » The Pros & Cons of Guinea Pigs as Pets. Whether you’re taking a guinea pig home for your kids or for yourself, the act of bringing one into your life requires the same due diligence that taking any other pet home would. Sometimes children might not fully understand how much care and respect needs to go into handling and raising a guinea pig. Still, for those 10 percent, this is serious business. a feisty feline and Cheryl helps a bulldog puppy. Since guinea pigs require an exotic pets vet, their medical bills can sometimes be higher. Tails with happy endings as our five fantastic vets try to get poorly creatures back on their paws again. Still, they are highly sensitive animals that require a different kind of responsibility. It is very rare for a guinea pig to bite, unlike hamsters, gerbils, and most especially rats – all of whom have been known to bite their owners for various reasons. While we can see why they think this, we tend to disagree. Even if you don’t have allergies, you should be routinely giving your guinea pig’s enclosure a solid washing. – Safety &... Why Do Guinea Pigs Squeak? Others prefer to keep fish and turtles as pets in tanks and ponds. Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. So, if you are looking for a pet that balances a mild, aloof attitude with an engaging curiosity, then a guinea pig is a good pet for you. Sure, you don’t need to bathe your guinea pig regularly, but they do come with another kind of maintenance. And what makes a pet good in general? With The Pets Factor Furry Friends game. Documentary series. Room to roam: They need a lot of room to run around in their cages. A guinea pig’s teeth are “open rooted” and grow continuously throughout its life. Full-grown adults range in length from approximately 8 to 19 inches (20 to 50 cm). The only times when a guinea pig will bite is almost always by accident. Register idctaConfig.getConfigAsync() Hairless breeds have also been developed. In order to help you make the best choice, we will provide you with a list of the pros and cons of owning a guinea pig. Before buying any pet, you want to be certain that caring for it will be within your budget. Cats have a similar disposition. Let’s break it down bit by bit. Then, always supervise their interactions until you can be certain they understand how to behave with a guinea pig. In order to submit a comment to this post, please write this code along with your comment: ff23ae5a49c19aa2eeb86fd2e33cda43, Can Guinea Pigs Live Alone? Knowing how to handle and treat a guinea pig is crucial to their well-being. When deciding if a guinea pig is a good pet, you need to think about things like allergies, monthly costs, and the amount of responsibility they demand. For a guinea pig, their enclosure also serves as their bathroom. require(['jquery-1', 'idcta-v2/id-config'], ($, idctaConfig) => { But, they might not be for everyone. The Animal Rights Coalition recommends a 24” by 24” for one guinea pig, but a larger one is necessary for two or more critters. Identifying what you need is the first step to finding a pet that fits your need; the right pet for you. Guinea pigs have 4 digits (toes) on each front foot and 3 on each hind foot. Some of the more common breeds include the American, which has short, smooth hair; the Abyssinian, with short hair that grows in whorls; and the Peruvian, which has longer, silky hair. Guinea pigs make sociable and lovable pets, but despite their size, they can be a lot of work. pregnant cavapoo who is about to become a mum for the first time. Being the owner of a pet means more than just taking care of an animal. James gets a visit from a python and Cat gets an earful from Jasper the itchy cavapoo. The guinea pig life span varies, but on average they live 6 to 8 years (see Table: Guinea Pigs at a Glance). Guinea pigs don’t like too much change in their lives. Contrary to their name, these animals are not native to Guinea and they’re not closely related to pigs. A better choice of first pet for small children to learn responsibilities are birds and fish. He's had two Americans, two Abyssinians, and one Silkie Guinea Pig. Even the simple task of finding a vet who’s trained to handle exotic animals is difficult in itself. The longest lifespan of a guinea pig ever recorded is 14 years and 10.5 months. Their normal body temperature is 102°F to 104°F (39°C to 40°C). I love her! We will show you how to recognize the signs of the moment when guinea pig labor starts. Yes, Guinea Pigs make wonderful pets. From the different breeds of guinea pig to consider, like the American, Silkie, Peruvian or Teddy guinea pig, to their proper care and maintenance, there’s a lot to know before adding one to your family. This sad reality has come about mostly as a result of ignorance perpetuated by the internet, unscrupulous breeders, and greedy pet store chains. $('.id4-cta-signin').each(function () { If your allergies are less severe, there are some steps to help you keep them under control. Guinea Pigs and Allergies. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. Some livestock breeds weigh 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) when full grown. The legacy of this great resource continues in the online and mobile app versions today. On the other hand, here are some factors other pet owners see as disadvantages of owning Guinea pigs: There’s almost no comparison when putting dog, cat, and guinea pig lifespans side-by-side. Be a responsible owner and parent by ensuring that your kids get the right type of pet for them – something that they can realistically handle. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Guinea pigs live in herds and are grazing animals. The Pets Factor. Happy Cavy Tips, Himalayan Guinea Pig – Ultimate Breed Care Guide.

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