Owning a new pet is a big responsibility. Whether you live by yourself or in a big family everyone will have an opinion on which pet they want and will each have different responsibilities. 

Most Parents welcome the inclusion of a pet in the family home as it teaches responsibility, discipline and a greater sense of purpose for their kids. Common pets like cats and dogs are popular picks for most children but it’s becoming increasingly most cost-effective and manageable to have smaller pets at home. 

A common household pet on the rise is the pretty & playful guinea pig. In this short article, we’ll explain what to look out for when picking up a guinea pig so you can bring the right pet home.

History of Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are members of the Caviidae family which is a species of rodents that are native to South America. The proper name for a Guinea Pig is a Cavy and they originate from the wild guinea pigs of Brazil and Peru.  

Guinea Pigs were brought into Europe by the Spanish, Dutch and English traders and they quickly became popular as exotic pets among the upper classes and royalty. However, since only the most wealthy people could purchase them, Guinea Pigs became a symbol of prosperity. 

During the 1920’s breeders began introducing Guinea Pigs into North America, and in the 1970’s, the guinea pig was accepted into 4-H programs nationwide. As a result of all of this, there are now a wide variety of different breeds of Guinea Pigs which have since developed, and as well as being a very popular family pet, they are now also bred for exhibition purposes and are popular show animals too.

How To Choose A Guinea Pig 

There are quite a few things that should be taken into consideration before choosing a guinea pig to become a part of your family. The most important being the cost of the guinea pig cage, food and other accessories. The type of breed of a guinea pig and the sex should also be taken into account. 

You should also think about how your personal and family circumstances will affect your decision on what breed of guinea pig to buy. It is best to remember that long-haired guinea pigs usually require a lot more grooming and that some guinea pigs are more suited to families with children than others are.

Try to do as much research as you can about the many different breeds of guinea pigs to ensure you choose the correct one for you and your family. 

As long as you are not buying a guinea pig for breeding purposes, it really doesn’t matter if you get a male (boar) or a female (sow). However, it is imperative that when you go to a breeder or a pet store to choose your guinea pig, they should be separated by sex.  

If they are not separated or the pet store employee does not know how to tell the sex of the guinea pigs, then they should be avoided as you might run the risk of buying a pregnant female. 

Before making your selection, you should take a good look at all the other guinea pigs in the cage and make sure that they all appear healthy. Their cage should also be clean with plenty of food and water and the guinea pigs should look like they are well cared for. 

Also take note of whether the guinea pigs seem alert and active and if they have firm, rounded bodies. Their coats should be full and smooth and their noses, eyes, ears and rear end should also be clean.  

Always avoid any guinea pig that appears to be too thin or too overweight, and especially stay away from any guinea pig that shows any signs of ill health as well as those that are act frightened whenever they are held. 

Once you’ve found the perfect guinea pig for you and your family it’s time to take them home and get them acquainted to their new living area. Guinea pigs are nocturnal so getting the right daily schedule in place is imperative.  

Guinea pigs are fun, playful and affordable pets that all families can get involved with. They are small enough to fit into most houses and still active enough to give your child the full enjoyment and responsibilities that caring for a pet carries.