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If you’ve never heard a guinea pig “hiss” when you wake up in the morning, you’re missing something. Most people associate guinea pigs with childhood pets, but they are the perfect companion for all age groups.
Not only that, but they are great as house pets due to their easy-going nature and adaptability.
Here are ten reasons why you should adopt guinea pigs this year.
1. Healthy and robust animals
Even though guinea pigs, as is also known, are small, they are hardy and healthy animals if you give them the proper care. Generally, they do not suffer from many diseases. The most common health problems in guinea pigs are respiratory infections and bladder stones.
You can avoid these health complications by providing the right diet of fresh vegetables and fruits. Giving your guinea pigs unlimited hay in their cage is also essential, as it is vital for their digestion.
Guinea pigs don’t need extra water if they have a regular diet of fruits and vegetables. However, give them fresh, clean water so they don’t become dehydrated. They will be happy for years if you feed them a healthy diet and schedule a routine vet appointment each year.
Unlike hamsters or gerbils, guinea pigs can live up to 8 years or more with the right care. Thus, when you adopt these little ones, you must commit to several years to occupy them.
2. Easy maintenance
Dogs are great for cuddling, but walking them multiple times a day can be tough if you have work commitments that take you away from the farm for hours at a time.
You need to set up a cage with bedding or fleece and their food, water and hay. But, once you have their house ready, they are easy to maintain. All you have to do is clean their dirty hay in the morning or evening and clean the cage thoroughly once a week.
They don’t require a lot of grooming, training, or upkeep like some pets do! Plus, they’re much cleaner than some other small pets like rabbits or ferrets.
3. Easy to house
Guinea pigs don’t need a huge cage. If you only have two, you can keep them in a nice little area. Of course, you’ll have to expand if you bring more home.
Plus, they’re not great climbers, so you don’t even need to have an enclosed habitat. Many places sell pre-made habitats with all the space and spots your pet needs.
Your guinea pigs will also need exercise for their health and to bond with you. It’s a good idea to separate a section of your living room or outdoor space for free roaming. This allows your guinea pigs to explore and get out of their cage.
You can also let your guinea pigs run around in the grass in the summer. Just make sure the grass is not sprayed with chemicals. You should also close off areas to other animals like horses or cows, as guinea pigs are small and could be injured by larger animals on your farm.
As long as you have a large house or outdoor space on your property, you can have two, three, four or more of these pets. In fact, guinea pigs are very social animals, so the more the better.
4. Great pets for all ages
Guinea pigs are ideal pets for everyone, regardless of your age and experience with pets. If you get these animals as babies, they will bond even more closely with you. This is especially useful if you have other pets that you need to bond with.
Compared to hamsters or rabbits, which are more temperamental, guinea pigs are easy to tame and calm by nature. This means you can hold guinea pigs. They are also useful if you or your children are new to pet care.
As a general rule, guinea pigs only bite if they are extremely frightened, so children can learn to interact with them. You can hold and cuddle them as much as you want. Sometimes they may wiggle when they’re on your lap, but that’s completely normal.
You can also adopt guinea pigs when you are older, as they are easy to care for and friendly pets to have if you are feeling lonely.
5. Soothing noises
You know how many people play soothing sounds when they want to relax? Guinea pigs can do that.
They make purring noises when sleeping or cuddling, which can be extremely relaxing for humans. Similar to cats, these furry friends love to be petted on your lap. They may lay on your chest for a while and fall asleep so you can hear those quiet purrs.
Their adorable noises don’t stop at purring. When guinea pigs are excited, they are also known to hiss in high pitches, signifying that they are happy. If you have male guinea pigs, they may also growl when mating.
The last noise to know with guinea pigs is the chattering of teeth. Hopefully, you will avoid hearing the chattering noises as it is a sign that your guinea pigs are angry. But this noise can also occur if they are arguing with their cage mate.
6. Popcorn
Another cute thing about guinea pigs is that they burst out when they’re happy and excited. At first, you might be concerned when you see their little bodies jump through the air and land on their feet. But it’s the best sign that your guinea pig is happy.
It is also common for guinea pigs to “zoom” as they quickly pass through their habitat and run across your floor. You might even hear them running around happily when you’re in another room.
Popcorning is a unique guinea pig, so it’s even more fun to bond with your pet to a point where they feel comfortable popping popcorn around the room. Even if it takes a few months to bond with your guinea pig, don’t give up!
One day you will hear their sweet hissing sounds, and all your hard work will be worth it.
7. You have options
Guinea pigs come in many different colors and breeds. You can find long-haired guinea pigs with gray and brown hair. Or you can also have hairless skinny guinea pigs. There is a guinea pig for every personality type.
Here is a list of all types of guinea pigs:
- Peruvian
- teddy
- Texel
- American
- Silk
- Abyssinian
- Abyssinian satin
- Crown
- White-crested
The fur of these adorable rodents varies from breed to breed, so research the different types of this animal before adopting a young one.
If you choose a variety with lots of hair, you will need to groom it regularly. You can comb and cut the hair yourself, take it to a groomer, or take it to the vet, where they can offer grooming services.
In some cases, you might have a nearby guinea pig retreat where you can take your pigs and have them groomed.
Although baths are not necessary for guinea pigs, an occasional bath is great for keeping their fur healthy. When you see your adorable companion in a bubble bath, it will instantly brighten up your day.
8. Interactive Pets
Many people don’t think of guinea pigs when they imagine a pet they can play and interact with. But these little animals love to play with their masters and be cuddled. You might catch your pets staring at you while you work or read a book, hoping for attention.
Guinea pigs love to observe humans and track their behavior. They are intelligent animals that even know when you are going to open the fridge because that is where their vegetables are kept!
You can also give them toys to play with and watch the action. Remember that they need at least one companion to be completely happy.
9. Easy to feed
Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of nutrition for your guinea pigs, making them ideal pets on a farm. If you grow your own crops, you don’t have to worry about buying pet food or arranging their meals.
All you have to do is pick some kale or bell peppers from your garden and feed them to your pets. They also like cucumber, spinach, carrots and romaine lettuce. Plant some of these seeds for the family and you’ve already prepared food for your pets.
10. Unique Personality
Above all, guinea pigs have unique and wonderful personalities. There’s nothing quite like these delights, and they can be a great addition to your property if you want kid-friendly pets and easy-to-care-for animals.
You might have a shy and quiet guinea pig, or you might have a dominant and loud one who loves all the attention. If your guinea pig has a cage mate, he can assert his authority and balance the different personalities.
To tame your guinea pig, you don’t need a lot of patience, especially if you are raising it young. If you’re willing to take your time to bond with these cuties, they’ll change your life forever.
Plus, just looking at them makes you happy!
Keep an eye out for your local guinea pig adoption centers and head out on a trip soon to pick up a new pet. Don’t forget to give them a health check before bringing them home and buy cozy items for their habitat.
Enjoy your guinea pigs!
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