Embarking on the guinea pig life

June 15, 3:26 PMGuinea Pigs ExaminerDiana Atad

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Guinea pigs are often considered to be a pet for kids (but it’s cool for adults to own them, too!). And although most children find them particularly attractive and cute, it’s the adults who are ultimately responsible for making all the decisions. Adopting a pet of any kind should not be an impulsive decision.

There are several things to think about before bringing guinea pigs into your home. Don’t let their size fool you. One of the most common mistakes people make about adopting a guinea pig is “They’re just larger versions of hamsters and gerbils so how hard can it be?”

And that mistake couldn’t be farther from the truth. Not that hamsters and gerbils require less care; they’re just not the same as guinea pigs. With some advance planning, bringing a new guinea pig into your home will be easier for you and healthier for your pet.

We can start anywhere but let’s start with your home environment.

Some critical issues to address:

1. How many pigs do you intend to adopt? This is important to know ahead of time because you’ll need to have a cage large enough to comfortably and safely house your guinea pigs.
2. Where will you keep the cage? No matter what climate you live in, guinea pigs need to be kept indoors. You need to make sure you have enough space.
3. Do you have young children? Handling guinea pigs is very important and children need to be supervised at all times. Very young children may not be able to do this safely; a dropped guinea pig can cause serious injury or worse.
4. Who will ultimately—and I mean ultimately—care for your guinea pigs? Can you count on your 12-year-old to clean the cage and provide fresh food?
5. Do you have other pets in your home? Aside from aquarium fish, other pets will affect the guinea pigs’ well-being and safety.
6. What veterinarians in your area treat guinea pigs? Guinea pigs are classified as exotic pets in the veterinary field, as their medical care is extremely different from the typical canine and feline patients vets treat.
7. Can you afford to care for a guinea pig for its entire life? If your financial situation isn’t the most stable at this time, please wait to adopt. Fresh produce, hay, pellets, bedding, supplies, vet services—it all adds up.

So now you have some homework to do before becoming a responsible and loving guinea pig owner. Take it seriously, write down your thoughts, revisit your answers and check back here for additional information. Soon you’ll be on your way to living the guinea pig life!