Guinea Pigs: A Great First Pet

The sight of a guinea pig nosing around in a pile of fresh shavings is an image that brings a smile to both parents and children alike.

A large population of adults have fond memories of the guinea pig they raised as a child. It doesn't take a lot of encouragement before they are describing the way it looked and recounting the adventures they shared. Most parents who had these pets during their childhood are normally quick to make sure that their children have one of these animals to call their own.

Parents like the idea of guinea pigs as a child's first pet for a variety of reasons. Compared to cats and dogs, these friendly rodents are a cheap pet to maintain. Even rescuing a kitten from an animal shelter can cost more than fifty dollars. However, a young, well-cared for guinea pig can be purchased for around fifteen dollars. The average guinea pig doesn't need as much veterinary care as a dog or cat. These pets can be kept in the child's bedroom, lessening the impact on your furniture and shoes. In short, these cute creatures are a smart choice to teach a child about the responsibility needed to care for a pet.

One of the skills that children will develop when they are raising a rodent is pet grooming. Despite their diminutive size, these creatures, like dogs and cats, need to be groomed on a regular basis. Parents who are concerned that their child will be lax about grooming their pet should make sure that they purchase a short haired breed. The short hair will not tangle and mat like their long haired counterparts. Brushes that have soft bristles are the best for brushing guinea pigs, the soft bristles won't hurt his or her skin.

When your new pet comes home, teach your child how to examine its eyes, ears and nose, to make sure that they are clean and free of debris. Show them how to use a warm slightly wet washcloth to gently wipe any mucus that might be accumulating in the corners of their eyes.

Guinea pigs don't require a great deal of of brushing, and they shouldn't be bathed. They do need to have their nails clipped. This is an activity that the parent needs to supervise. Explain to your child that they are not supposed to remove the entire nail, that the only thing that is going to be removed with the nail clippers is the sharp tip of the nail. On a pet that has white nails you should be able to see the tiny blood vessels that run through the nails, explain to your child that the blood vessels represent a living part of the nail, that the goal is to trim the nail with hurting the tiny blood vessels. If your pet has dark nails, your probably won't be able to see the blood vessels. On dark nailed breeds, the rule of thumb is to trim approximately 1/4 of an inch of the nail.

The biggest problem with these rodent pals is that they can smell quite offensive if the cage environment is not cleaned regularly. The scent of an unclean guinea pig cage can quickly drive the entire family from the house. It is important to make sure that your child understands that it is extremely important to clean his or her pet's cage on a regular basis. Explain that the health of their pet as well as the family harmony depends on them keeping the cage clean and the bedding fresh.

Jonathan Hook own Bow Meow Pet Care Centre in North Bay, Ontario. Much more information about dog care and general pet care is available at www.BowMeowNorthBay.ca