Kim's Critter Chat

With the upcoming release of the movie G-Force, starring guinea pigs as super heroes, I have become increasingly concerned about the effect it will have on people’s perception of this wonderful little critter. There will certainly be kids crying for a guinea pig and parents who will give in. Here are some things to consider before you bring a guinea pig into your home. I have 3 and have learned so much. I will use the term cavy and guinea pig interchangeably  to save a little typing .

•    Please do not consider buying or adopting a guinea pig for a child younger than 8 years old, and even then they will need to be supervised. Cavies are delicate creatures despite their rotund appearance, and a drop or fall can cause severe injuries.
•  Cavies are more happy in groups, so adopting a same sex pair is ideal. If you have LOADS of free time to spend with a single cavy it would probably be all right , but they are very social animals and thrive in a group setting.
•  Cavies are a long term commitment in the rodent family– they can live up to 7 years with excellent care.
•  Your regular vet is unlikely to know much about cavies, you will need to find a vet who specializes in exotic  animals. I have made a frantic 40 mile trip to our cavy vet for a torn toenail on one of our piggies. We have no vet closer to us who I would trust with them.
• No matter what the pet store tells you, buy the biggest cage you can afford. Cavies also need “floor time” and a safe place to roam. We built a cage for our cavies, I will include the link  with instructions at the end of this article.
• Cavies  eat and poop– a lot.  They need hay in their cages constantly as well as fresh veggies or fruit daily,a good quality pellet food and Vitamin C. Plan on spot cleaning the cage at least every other day and doing a full cleaning weekly.
• DO NOT expect a child to be responsible for total care of your cavies. It is too much responsibility even for an older child, so plan that you will be doing at least part of the work.
• Please check for a cavy rescue near you to see if there is a suitable pet for you. Many cavies are given up because the owners simply get tired of caring for them.

On the upside– cavies are delightful, social, amusing little critters that can bring you years of enjoyment.  I have fallen in love with ours more than I could have imagined. Just do your homework and make sure that a cavy is really the right pet for you.

Here is a link to excellent cavy information as well as instructions on building your own cage:

http://www.cavyspirit.com/

Enjoying some floor time and a snack!