Loading...[ad_1]
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 or she is likely to be very friendly.
Compared with other pets, guinea pigs do not take up as much time – after all you do not 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 etc
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 should not 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 reliably 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 are not expensive pets to keep. Most pet shops and garden centers 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 not 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 colored 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 added to live for more than 3 years.
Again, unlike hamsters, cavies are diurnal; they do not sleep in the daytime and keep you awake at night.
So, maybe the guinea pig is the perfect pet for you?
[ad_2]
Source by Madeline Dyer
