Kids just love having pets, but unfortunately animals in the household can be a big headache for parents. Pets can be a nuisance, they make a mess, they’re expensive when you have to go to the vet, and what do you do with them when you go on holidays? But even so kids still love having pets. So if you’re a parent and you’ve had your children pestering you for a pet what options do you have?

Have you considered buying your children a guinea pig?

Guinea pigs can be the perfect solution for parents looking for a low maintenance pet for the kids. They’re small, they usually live outside, they won’t bark at the neighbours, they don’t get sick very often, they’re cheap to feed and if they poop on the carpet it’s not a problem, you just pick it up.

A piggie is a wonderful pet for both children and parents. They have a lifespan of rarely more than 5 years so parents aren’t committing themselves to a pet ownership period of 15 years plus.

A guinea pig is easy to handle and easy to tame and turn into your best friend. They rarely bite and they will happily sit on your child’s lap for hours while they are brushed or stroked.

However it’s also true, as with many animals, that you should supervise young children, even when handling guinea pigs. Guinea pigs do not take kindly to being dropped.

They are social animals and are happy to be in the company of human beings that treat them well. They also like being with other guinea pigs and so if you are buying some pigs for the family it’s better to get two. It is possible to keep one piggy on his own however he may become lonely so it’s important to spend more time with him.

Guinea pigs are very cheap to feed, and apart from a little extra vitamin C from time to time require little else other than some vegetable scraps, fresh grass and some grains or guinea pig pellets.

before you buy your first guinea pig.

Housing your piggie is something you need to think about before you buy him. Most commercial guinea pig hutches sold in pet shops are too small. They need space to run around and exercise, as well as some space for toys to play with. It is not difficult to build your own hutch and it’s a good project for dad to share with the kids.

Or why not make one yourself? If you know one end of a hammer from the other and can source some simple outdoor timber, some wire, a few hinges and clasps for the door it’s not at all difficult to build the guinea pig hutch that will house a guinea pig in comfort. It is important though that you provide him with a covered and draught free nesting area where he can sleep in comfort out of the weather.

So if you’ve been searching for the perfect solution to a pet for the children you ought to consider giving them a guinea pig.