Archive for the ‘Guinea Pigs’ Category

Children love animals, they think that they are cute. Most children like furry animals - like dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, tarantulas.... Tarantulas? That's what our 3 year old wants for his birthday! His revelation got me to thinking. What makes the BEST pet for a child?

Our son loves spiders - small, large, garden, bedroom, bath....he wants to pet them and stroke them. A friend of ours has a son fascinated by snails and slugs - he comes home from school with pocket fulls of them! Children are great aren't they?

Personally, I'm a big fan of spiders too - I kept a tarantula for 10 years, and she was fascinating. I saw her eat, I saw her shed her skin (those things in your shed or garage that look like dead spiders are actually spider skins), I saw her spinning webs. As they are so large, you can see everything they do clearly - they are extremely easy to keep, relatively cheap to purchase, fascinating to watch and can live for up to 20 years! Amazing. I obviously, therefore, encouraged our child's enthusiasm to have a spider for his birthday! I think I'm more excited than him, although every day he asks if it's his birthday yet!

This came in a week where we have received 6 new additions to our extended pet family - 4 guinea pigs and two rough green snakes. The reptiles are mine and the mammals my wife's. We already had 17 fish (all in one tank), 2 cats, a dog, a hamster, 2 rabbits, a western hognose snake and a bearded dragon! With the new additions, that makes 31 pets...good job none of them are too much trouble!

I love reptiles and spiders - they absolutely fascinate me. I have wanted a rough green snake ever since I first saw them in a book about 22 years ago! So when I went into my favourite reptile stockists and saw two for sale, I couldn't resist asking to handle them. I fell in love - I didn't mean to come away with them, but I did! After 22 years, it was impossible not to - when the proprietor first handed me one, I was overcome with emotion, holding back the tears I let this beautiful and fascinating creature slide across my hands. Wow!

My wife has always kept guinea pigs. Ever since she was a child - personally I could not see the attraction, and 4? Okay so it started as one, as a companion for our male rabbit, which then needed one of its own with it, thus one became two. Then our second rabbit needed a companion (!) - along came number three - but the rabbit did not see eye to eye with the guinea pig (she's grumpy!), and therefore they were separated. "Can't leave him on his own," said my wife, "they MUST have company!" and so number four arrived. Two males and two females.

I have always had rabbits and think they are lovely, but never had guinea pigs. I now see the attraction! How cute are they? None aggressive, small, easily handled, and very tame, not to mention easy and cheap to purchase and care for! Perfect. They are my wife's but one by one as they came to our home, our children claimed them. The oldest had a hamster and therefore was not bothered. The middle child named the first guinea pig "Sparkles", but then said she wanted one of her own - number two was called "Wriggles" and our younger daughter has taken ownership. Number three came along and our youngest and I took ownership - I named him "G for the P-I-G" (or G Dude for short). So when number four came along my wife took ownership before she got it home! "Jazz" is "G Dude's" brother and they are living happily together.

Now I am converted, I see exactly what is good about guinea pigs. On top of everything already mentioned, they live a decent amount of time - 6-8 years - compared to say a hamster or mouse (around 2 years). They are beautiful pets, and because they are so easy to handle and have great longevity, they make the perfect pet for your young child. Your child will find them easy to love, to feed, to fuss, to handle, to melt over! For a first pet, you could not choose anything better than a guinea pig - and when your child talks to them, they will chatter back, and that's guaranteed!!

With furry best wishes

Dale Preece-Kelly

More from this author at http://www.selfhope.co.uk

When my kids were growing up, they owned just about every pet you can imagine-- dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, rabbits, hermit crabs, chinchillas, and a guinea pig. (I don't remember any reptiles, but I may have blocked out that experience!)

However, of all the creatures that inhabited our menagerie at one time or another, the guinea pig stands out in my mind because, it seemed to me, all that rodent did-his name was Teddy, after a famous politician, I think-all Teddy did was eat, drink, squeal and excrete!

I suppose Teddy was cute, in a beady-eyed, big-nosed, scruffy-furred sort of way. Our boys liked to try out different foods on him to augment his official guinea pig chow. "Hey, Mom! Let's see if he'll eat a piece of carrot, a Cheerio, a raisin or a jellybean!" Almost without fail, Teddy would squeal with excitement at the mere sight of a human, and then munch contentedly on nearly any tidbit he was offered.

Human guinea pigs

In some ways, we consumers are like that guinea pig. Over the last fifty or more years, health experts and the food industry have given us healthy eating advice in the form of a number of products and schemes that have been experimental to say the least, and often unsuccessful in promoting our good health. In many cases, this was done with the best of intentions, but you know that old saying about good intentions!

Here are a few examples of what I am talking about.

Healthy Eating Advice from the 1950's: Feeding babies formula in a nice, sterile bottle is better than breast-feeding.

On the other hand, before you start squealing,

Although baby formula is the best substitute we can find for mother's milk, breast milk has exactly the right combination of nutrients that babies need. Breast-feeding also helps the mom to heal after childbirth and to bond with her baby. Sometimes it is not possible to breast-feed a child, for a number of reasons, but breast milk is still the best food for infants, when available.

Healthy Eating Advice from the 1960's: Margarine, also known as oleo, is better for you than butter, since it is made from vegetable oil, which is lower in saturated fat.

On the other hand, before you start squealing,

Hydrogenating fats produces trans-fats, which are worse for you than saturated fats since they can significantly lower your good cholesterol (HDL) and increase your bad cholesterol (LDL), while at the same time encouraging inflammation and the formation of blood clots.

Healthy Eating Advice from the 1970's: Eggs are bad for you since they are high in cholesterol.

On the other hand, before you start squealing,

Eggs contain lecithin, which is a cholesterol emulsifier, along with good quality protein, vitamins and minerals. In addition, dietary cholesterol has been shown to have little effect on serum cholesterol levels.

Healthy Eating Advice from the 1980's: Low-fat diets are the way to go to lose weight.

On the other hand, before you start squealing,

Since we embraced this concept in the 1980's, we have gotten fatter, not thinner, probably because we replaced the fat with simple carbs, like sugar, which set up insulin resistance and not much satiety. A better idea is to eat healthy fats in moderation along with complex carbs and lean proteins.

Healthy Eating Advice from the 1990's: High Fructose Corn Syrup affects you the same as sugar.

On the other hand, before you start squealing,

Recent studies have shown that fructose is processed directly by your liver where it encourages fat synthesis, and although sugar in all its forms should be limited in a healthy diet, HFCS is ubiquitous in the food supply and more difficult to avoid. Stay tuned on this one.

So what's a guinea pig to do?

Because we are generally a compliant species, each time we are presented with new healthy eating advice, we obligingly squeal, eat and...well you know the rest.

However, the truth is that the formula for eating healthy does not really change, in spite of all of the latest and greatest hoopla. We knew a long time ago that the way to eat healthy is to consume a variety of fresh, whole foods, with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, and including some healthy fats and a minimum of processed foods and sugar. This is still the best healthy eating advice you can get!

Our poor Teddy couldn't help being a guinea pig, and since he was stuck in a cage, he was at the mercy of his well-meaning keepers. But, unlike that captive rodent, we are free human beings with the ability to educate ourselves about what is good for us, use common sense, and then make choices that will lead to vibrant good health and wellness.

Now you can squeal!

I am convinced that what we eat and how we eat plays a major role in how we feel and particularly, how well we are. For this reason, I would like as many people as possible to become more aware of what healthy eating involves, and of the extreme benefits that can be found in being conscious of what and how we eat.

Eat and be healthy with my warmest regards,

Suzy Staywell

http://healthy-eating-support.org
http://www.healthy-eating-support.org/small-bites.html

A lot of people misguidedly think that guinea pigs are simply a bigger variety of so-called pocket pets like hamsters and gerbils, but this is just not the case.

Whereas a hamster can live in a relatively small cage, cavies do require additional room. They don't take up as much space as a German shepherd but you need to be prepared to have adequate room available in order for your cavy to lead a hale and hearty, comfortable life.

One more thing to keep in mind is that these lovely creatures are likely to live longer than hamsters or gerbils. On average, a cavy lives 4-6 years and at least one that I've heard of has lived to the ripe old age of 11. So if you purchase a this pet now, you need to be ready to make him or her a part of your family for an extended period of time.

Bear in mind that long-haired guinea pigs shed a lot; the areas around their cages need to be cleaned up regularly. Rough-haired guinea pigs also shed quite a bit, although not as much as the long-haired varieties. However, smooth-coated cavies do not. Most shed very little, so they are perfect for families that don't want to spend most of their time vacuuming up after their new pet. If you're looking to save energy and time avoid wire mesh cage bottoms. Although easier to clean, they cause sores on your cavy's sensitive little feet.

Lots of people choose a cavy because they are allergic to cats and/or dogs. They figure a cavy will be a better alternative for their families. Regrettably, this is not always the case. While an allergic reaction to other animals does not guarantee that you will have a similar reaction with cavies, it doesn't guarantee that you won't have one either. What's more, some people who are fine around dogs or cats may have allergies to guinea pigs. Keep in mind that this is a living thing which can't be returned to the pet store if someone in your family develops and allergic reaction to it. If so, consider looking for a rescue (search Google for "guinea pig rescue") shelter. Many of these places will supply the cage, water bottle, food bowl and of course the unwanted piggies to other loving families.

If you decide to purchase a guinea pig, read about the proper diet and care for guinea pigs first. Normally, the sales person at the pet store is going to steer you toward buying products, rather than what is necessary and proper for your guinea pig to live a happy, healthy life.

J.E. Cummings provides additional guinea pig care information at http://www.guineapigsupplies.org.

Shop for guinea pig supplies, accessories & products at the Online Store and save up to 57% today.

Your guinea pig needs lots of activity to maintain his vitality. Guinea pig runs can be just the solution for the problem If your animal is enclosed in a small space he can become lethargic and sickly. Lots of exercise can prevent obesity and prevent many other diseases of the heart as well as diabetes. Having room to run and be active keeps your pet psychologically fit and makes his life more interesting.

Consider purchasing a run with casters or wheels on it so that it can be moved around. There are several things to think about if the run is going to be used outside the house. These animals are rather delicate and both hot and cold weather are a problem for them. During the warm season you should place the run in a shady area. Positioning the run under a tree or carport could provide the necessary environment. When the weather is cooler a sunny spot might be more desirable. Place the run away from drafty areas. Guinea pigs have many natural predators. Their cage should be made safe from owls, snakes, and other wild animals. Your guinea pigs are not even safe from your other pets such as dogs, cats, and even pet birds.

Make sure the cage is large enough to accommodate your animals. Five or six square feet would be a good size. Add an additional three-square feet of living space for each of your other animals in the cage. Guinea pigs like to be around other guinea pigs so they can play together. Several guinea pigs in the same cage make for a happy family. Guinea pigs prefer groups unlike hamsters who are more solitary animals and seem to get along just fine alone.

Building guinea pig runs is not all that difficult and if you are going to use it outdoors this can be a good solution. Start off with a sheet of wood to make the bottom of the run. The side and top of the cage can be made of 2x4s put together with screws or nails. A wire screen can be placed over this wooden framework to secure the cage. Your little pals will love their new habitat with only a minimal amount of effort on your part. Many types of runs and enclosures are available for use inside the home. The bottom of the cage is typically composed of plastic and steel wiring makes up the top. For ease of moving the cages consider one with wheels on it. If you are a do it yourself type there are kits that you can buy and assemble your own cage to your specifications. These cages can be expandable by adding more units. They can be stacked into a two or three story playhouse, which really gives your little friends a lot of room to move about.

For more information and advice on pet ownership visit Just About Pets

While guinea's are quite docile, they do still need to be house-trained, or more specifically acclimatized to your specific home environment. Depending on where you get your guinea pig, there will be varying amounts of training that you need to perform. Nonetheless, the first question is how to actually bring your guinea pig home.

First off you should have a cage for them. These are larger than hamster cages, perhaps around the same size as rabbit hutches. That does not mean they can share the same cages with rabbits, as rabbits may carry pathogens to which the guinea's are vulnerable. Make sure that the bars or mesh of the cages have small enough gaps to give comfortable footing for the pigs. You can choose from a large number of options for bedding. Be careful, as not all bedding choices are equal in terms of price, quality, and health safety. You may prepare the cage before hand or buy one at the very same pet store you are getting your guinea from.

Acclimatizing the guinea to your home comes next. This is particularly important if you are the pig's first owner. Most guinea pigs bough from pet stores share their space with a fair number of other guinea pigs, and they are social animals. At first, your guinea may not wish to interact with you, but this is only natural. They have to get used to not interacting with others of their own species while getting used to being around humans. More specifically, it needs to get comfortable with the smells and sounds in your home. Just give it some time, and don't pick it up if it does not want to be picked up.

Keep males and females separate! Unless you want to have a piglet mess on your hands every so often, you should have separate cages for different sexes of hamsters. The biggest problem will be identifying which ones are male and which are female, as the genitalia can look similar.

If you have other pets at home, particularly if you have cats or dogs, then you have to acclimatize them to the guinea pigs too. It is unlikely that the guinea pigs will cause them trouble, being of much smaller size and more docile behavior. On the other hand, the larger pet animals might view the pigs as prey. Needless to say, you need to teach them how to behave around each other, or you might have a fine mess on your hands.

Aside from all that, you need to constantly check the conditions of the guinea's habitats. Always make sure that their bedding is dry and clean, and make sure to change it regularly. Keep their water supplies topped up, and make sure that there is not excess food lying around. Lastly make sure to pet and groom your guinea pigs often, to keep them happy and healthy. Have fun with your furry little bundles of fun!

Chris Short is a Guinea Pig enthusiast. For more great tips on Bringing Your Guinea Pig Home and Guinea Pig care visit http://myguineapigsecrets.com.

Children once whined to convince their parents that pets can be classified as birthday presents, too. Guinea pigs, along with dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters, are considered as some of the top-selling pets. They are loved and adored by birthday boys and girls worldwide. One can see tons of cute videos about these little pets and their cooing owners on the internet nowadays, as well as guide books on different breeds that explain how to possess a good hand on these burrowing cuties. Youngsters are eventually inspired to get their own scurrying buddies because of these videos and books, but are these inspirations enough to guarantee happily bonded piggies and owners?

So the first thing to put in mind before buying gifts is a working knowledge of your pet. Oftentimes, children and parents are clueless about their pets care. People wrongly think that these furry creatures are much easier to keep than dogs and cats because they are small. If one thinks that keeping them in a hidden corner of the house will make them happy, one is wrong. If you do this, chances are they will be in danger of being stressed out. Just like any other pet, they need responsible owners who can show them extra care, love, and a sense of security. So before thinking of opting for guinea pigs as birthday presents, parents and children should be acquainted with basic facts about these furry friends they wanted to take home. Here are some useful facts that can give most ordinary people an upper hand about proper care:

Do not feed them nuts and seeds.
Encouraging them to play in a hamster wheel is not a good idea because they are not as quick-footed as hamsters.
Guinea pigs need enough space for running and exploring, not a hidden corner in the house where they can get bored easily.
They need some place to burrow, say a towel or a tunnel, since they easily panic and run for safety due to unfamiliar sounds and smells.
Speaking of smells, guinea pigs identify their owners and other small rodents through scent. It is advisable that all piggies living together need to smell the similar so they will not be disregarded by the others. In case one of them is neglected, the owner must somehow put (or rub) his scent on the poor little creature.
Guinea pigs need at least one companion or they will get bored, so buying them in pairs is recommended.

Moreover, owning these small furry critters is a rewarding experience so it is a must that future owners prepare for certain important supplies before bringing any new pet home. Therefore, opting for guinea pig gifts doesn't mean just buying a pair of piggies and that's it. It is like buying a birthday present for a birthday present! A great sense of responsibility comes with it. Here are the items desired by these little guys to feel best at home:

A cage with a steady bottom and a pet carrier
Newspaper and bedding for waste management
Bottle holder and food dishes that cannot be tipped or sat upon
Storage containers for pellet, hay, and bedding
Tunnels and shelters that cannot be eaten
Medical kit that includes toenail clippers and cotton
Squeaky toys and climbing toys that are not stacked high

I have been an owner of Guinea pigs for over 6 years. They are amazing little critters and can bring a family lots of love. I want to give all guinea pig lovers all the information they need to have a healthy and happy Guinea pig for many, many years. http://www.expertguineapigcare.com/

When you first decide to bring a guinea pig into your home, you should be sure that there is a vet who specializes in small pet care in your immediate area. Many people may not consider the expense of veterinary care for other small pets like hamsters or gerbils who live an average of two years, but guinea pigs are not disposal pets. Because they can live on average 4-8 years, they should be considered long-term members of your family, just like a dog or a cat.

Why should you find a vet this early? Because guinea pigs can become ill quickly and deteoriorate rapidly. If you wait to try to find a vet after your pet becomes ill and run into difficulties, it might be too late to save your guinea pig.

With dogs or cats, owners generally take them in for a check-up when its time to renew their shots. Since guinea pigs don't need shots, it can be easy to take their good health for granted. Your guinea pig should see his or her vet at least once a year as well.

Not all vets will treat guinea pigs, so if you have a vet already who treats your other pets, you may want to ask him or her first about whether or not they will be able to care for the new addition to your family. If they don't, ask them to recommend a vet who does.

If you don't already have a vet, then you can check with your local yellow pages to find one. Most advertise that whether or not they accept small pets. Another option is to use an online vet finder, such as the one available at http://www.aracnet.com/cgi-usr/seagull/vetfinder.cgi. You simply enter your state, and a list of vets who work with guinea pigs will appear. This particular service is not comprehensive, but it will serve as a good starting point for your search for a vet.

Once you purchase your new family member, it might be a good idea to take him or her to your vet for a thorough check-up, especially if you will be bringing it home to other guinea pigs or pets.

As I mentioned above, a guinea pig can become sick quickly and things can go from bad to worse before you realize it. For that reason, it is important to always keep a watchful eye on your cavy because there are a few signs that should immediately alert you that your guinea pig may be sick.

Florian Ross is a freelancer and small animals expert. For more tips on raising Guinea Pigs and having them live 3 times longer, see http://www.pets-lovers.com/guinea-pigs/guinea-pigs.htm

Guinea pigs are intensely social creatures. In the wild they originally lived in groups called herds. If you are planning on getting a guinea pig, you must realize that, in addition to obtaining a new family member, you are also entering into a binding social commitment. As descendants of herd animals, guineas do not do very well in solitary situations. As such, you must be prepared to set aside significant time each and every day as a guinea pig owner to interact with your pet - an easy and enjoyable task for animal lovers. If you are more of a hands-off admirer of animals - or if your busy schedule prohibits rich daily interaction with your cavy, then it is highly recommended that you get a second or third pig to satisfy your pet's social needs.

As I wrote earlier, owning a cavy should be viewed as a commitment. Either you must commit to spending extensive time with your pet each day or you must commit to being a multiple pig owner. Anything less would be a disservice to the animal.

In addition, in order to maintain good health (like humans) cavies need regular daily exercise. Guinea pigs generally do not tend to use exercise wheels like hamsters or go for walks on a leash like dogs. Instead you must either provide a cage large enough for your pig(s) to run around in - or you must give them daily exercise time. They will need to run freely but supervised in a protected room or other large area. This is important not only for physical reasons, but also to maintain your little pet's mental health. Just as with children, exposing your cavy to different environments can provide them with much-needed mental stimulation.

If your little pig is sharing the house with a dog or cat, you must take special care to protect your cavy. Dogs and cats are instinctively both predators and may very well view your precious cavy as prey. You will need to insure that your guinea pig is adequately protected from these types of inherent predator animals as well as young children. Very small children, while not technically predators, can still cause great harm to your guinea pig simply by exercising their sense of curiosity and playfulness.

One of the greatest pleasures in life is the joy of pet ownership. Guinea pigs can provide, entertainment and companionship - as well as to help fulfill our inborn human need to nurture other beings. They can be very playful - especially in groups - racing around the cage, popcorning in the air like tiny Thomson's Gazelles or nudging one another with their snouts. They can bring a smile to your face as they stand up against the cage wall in the morning and call to you with their squeaky "weeking" noises as they beg for their breakfast. Best of all, they can bring a warm glow to your heart as they relax and purr softly in your lap as you scratch them gently behind their tiny little ears.

We here at Blue Stone Commerce are pet owners as well as pet cage sellers. In fact, our very first cages were designed and built strictly for our own personal use. It wasn't until we saw how much happier, more active and content our pigs became when we put them into their new spacious C&C cage; that we realized just how great an environment these cages could offer our pigs.

Please Visit Our Website at http://www.BlueStoneCages.com for lots more information, tips and entertaining tales of guinea pigs and guinea pig cages. You will also find links to all of our online Cage Stores and Guinea Pig Care guides. While there, be sure to Claim Your FREE BONUS GIFT available on the front page.

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Do you want a new pet? Is a dog too lively for your lifestyle? Or have you found that you're not a 'cat person' and are still looking to find that perfect pet? Why not get a guinea pig?

Guinea pigs make amazing pets for so many people. They are small and cute and the majority of guinea piggies love to be held at stroked for ages.

In the wild guinea pigs, or cavies as they are also known as, live in herds and are social animals. This means that the majority of pigs, especially the sows (females) are very friendly. Of course, when you first get one, he or she is likely to be shy, but after your new pet gets to know you the he or she is likely to be very friendly.

Compared with other pets, guinea pigs don't take up as much time - after all you don't need to walk your piggie everyday, although he or she will still need regular exercise. You'll need to carry out a basic care routine everyday which includes: feeding, giving water, grooming, checking health, giving your piggie exercise, and at least once a week cleaning out a hutch or cage. Cavies are creatures of routine, so you should allocate a time each day, at the same time, for feeding e.t.c.

Many people find that guinea piggies make excellent first pets for children as they help to teach them about responsibility for animals. Of course, a pet shouldn't solely be a child's; there should always be an adult present to check the guinea pig is getting the right care that he or she needs.

Another good reason for getting a guinea pig is that they are not generally destructive. Cavies are relatively well behaved and will not try to destroy everything in its path. However, you should always make sure your piggie is in a hazard-free zone.

Guinea pigs aren't expensive pets to keep. Most pet shops and garden centres sell them for around ?10-?20. Cavies can get bored easily, so ideally they should be kept in pairs or small groups, especially as they're herd animals. Of course you can't just get a guinea piggie (or two) - your pet(s) will need a suitable home. Hutches generally range from ?40-?180 depending on the quality of the hutch. Cages tend to be cheaper, being around ?15-?80, although the price will depend on what sort of cage it is and what features it has. Guinea piggies will also need a food bowl, water bottle or bowl and toys to keep them entertained when you're away. Bedding can be bulk-bought or bought in small quantities. A large bag of hay generally costs around ?4-?10. Cavies will need food (ans water). Dried foods can be bought in different quantities, (a small-medium bag tends to cost around ?5). You will also need to have a constant supply of hay - for food and bedding. You may also wish to buy sawdust (be careful though as some guinea piggies are allergic to this material). You could line the hutches with your old newspapers or magazines, and put the bedding on top - remember to remove any staples first though, and avoid coloured prints as pigs sometimes chew up the papers.

Guinea pigs have great personalities, with each one being different. They also have a range of noises, mainly squeaks, which they use, along with their body language, to communicate to you and other guinea piggies with.

Unlike the majority of hamsters, guinea pigs tend to have long life spans of about 5 to 10 years, so they are good 'stable' pets as they can generally be assumed to live for more than 3 years.

Again, unlike hamsters, cavies are diurnal; they don't sleep in the daytime and keep you awake at night.

So, maybe the guinea pig is the perfect pet for you?

So, if you are interested in getting a guinea pig or two as a pet, have a look at this post http://www.guineapigland.com/how-many-guinea-pigs-should-i-buy/ to see how many guinea pigs you should buy. And if you do get more than one, check out this article http://www.guineapigland.com/introducing-new-guinea-pigs-to-other-cavies/ to see the best ways to safely and successfully introduce your piggies together.

In the USA over 1 million families have guinea pigs as pets. Guinea pigs are cuddly and soft and love to cuddle up in the arms of small children.They make great companions and don't have to be toilet trained.Put them in a roomy cage with some bedding, some old newspaper and a constant supply of water and food and you will have a very happy pet.Compare them to a dog,cat, horse,rat,rabbit, birds or fish and they are a very easy pet to take care of.

They don't moan and groan or bark to get your attention.They are a very quiet animal with very few needs.Guinea pigs make great pets for both adults and young children alike.Being a non nocturnal animal,unlike the gerbil or hamster,you don't find yourself being woken or kept awake at night,running on their squeeky wheel.

Compare them to a dog,cat,horse,rat,rabbit, birds or fish and they are a very easy pet to take care of.Owning a guinea pig for the very first time can be quite an experince,as not many people are familiar with the life of the cavy.As a result the new owner often has many questions about their pet.Whilst most people would agree guinea pigs are a very lovable animal and make great pets,before you purchase one you need to take into consideration many things.Firstly of course there are a large range to choose from. There are four main things that need to be considered.

1) The best type of guinea pig,whether for you or your children.

2) Taking care of your guinea pig or pigs.

3) Allegies to guinea pigs.

4) Keeping more than one guinea pig.

The best type of guinea pig often comes down to personality,

colour,looks etc,but it is worth taking into account whether your small children will be holding your pet often. Females tend to be a smaller animal , more docile,less excitable than their male counterparts and easier to play with.

The Author has written an indepth book on Guinea Pigs based on his practical experience.

If you would like to know more please go to. http://www.guineapigsecretsrevealed.com