Get A Guinea Pig Hutch And Some Guinea Pigs And You’ve Got Happy Children

Kids love a pet, but sometimes parents don’t love pet’s quite so much. Pet’s make a mess on the carpet, they’re expensive when you go to the vet and they are always a headache when you go on holidays. So if you’ve got children who are pestering you for a pet what should you do? Should you just say no?

Have you considered guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs make wonderful pets for the kids. They are small, not too messy, cute and cuddly, don’t get sick frequently and can be left outside. They don’t drop hair all over your carpet, they don’t chew your furniture and they don’t bark until the neighbors complain. They’re cheap to buy, cheap to house and cheap to feed.

In fact you can’t get a better pet for children or parents than a guinea pig. They don’t live so long so you’re not committing yourself to pet ownership for more than 15 years. In fact a guinea pig usually lasts no longer than 5 years.

It is not difficult making your piggie into your best friend. They are easy to handle, even for kids, and rarely bite. If the children handle them regularly then they are very easy to tame and will very happily sit on the child’s lap while they are stroked or brushed.

Like all animals you should supervise your young children when they are handling their guinea pig. Guinea pigs don’t like being dropped.

Guinea pigs are very social and like to be in the company of people. If you’re buying some for the kids it’s better to get two as they like to be together as well, but if you get one make sure you spend some quality time with him each day.

They are easy to feed and they are cheap to feed, however it’s important to understand that they require vitamin C in their diets or else they can, like people, get scurvy. They love vegetables and if you provide plenty of fresh vegetables you should be sufficient vitamin C. It is possible to get commercial guinea pig pellets as well.

However you need to give some thought to buying a good guinea pig hutch.

It’s important to spend a little time thinking about how to house your guinea pig before you buy him. The guinea pig hutches sold in pet shops are generally too small. Your piggies need to be able to run around and play and most guinea pig cages don’t allow them to do that.

Or why not make one yourself? If you know one end of a hammer from the other and can source some simple outdoor timber, some wire, a few hinges and clasps for the door it’s not at all difficult to build the guinea pig hutch that will house a guinea pig in comfort. It is important though that you provide him with a covered and draught free nesting area where he can sleep in comfort out of the weather.

So if you’ve been wondering about what to do for a pet for the kids then it may be worth considering giving them a guinea pig. They will love their piggy and it’s a wonderful way to introduce kids to animals.