For my part, guinea pigs don’t make good pets … they make nice ones! However in fact, having been an avid lover of cavies for a few years, I’m actually a bit of biased.
Honestly, I’ve lengthy believed guineas are sometimes misunderstood and broadly underappreciated. When individuals don’t have a lot expertise with cavies, they have an inclination to image them as being giant, nocturnal hamsters. Nonetheless, whereas cavies are certainly a part of the rodent household, they’re positively fairly completely different than rats, hamsters, mice, degus, and gerbils. Actually, they’re very distinctive, with particular person traits, behaviours, and personalities.
Naturally affectionate, candy, and social creatures, it’s no shock why when you’re a cavy guardian, you’re all the time wanting extra of them! Nonetheless, with what’s a protracted listing of benefits to getting guinea pigs as pets, there’s additionally some disadvantages too, although extra so for many who merely aren’t used to having pets altogether.
In case you’re contemplating adopting cavies, then take the time to learn by means of the next professionals and cons listing, which ought to make clear what it’s prefer to have guinea pigs as pets.
Execs of Proudly owning Guinea Pigs
Under is a listing of a number of benefits of welcoming some furry cavies into your private home.
Tremendous Candy, Completely Lovely
On the pet retailer or adoption heart, you’ve probably observed that guinea pigs are cute. But it surely’s solely once you work together with them one-on-one that you may actually respect simply how a lot they’re tremendous candy and completely cute. Plus, in case you’ve ever spoken to a cavy proprietor, then you definately’ve actually heard all about their pretty demeaner and mild nature.
Lengthy Lifespan for Rodents
Cavies sometimes have a protracted life expectancy in comparison with different home rodents – roughly 5-7 years, although usually much more.
As such, guinea pigs make nice companions for these in quest of an extended relationship. Actually, it may be arduous on kids when pets move away. However with just a few furry associates who shall be sticking round for fairly some time, it’s good to have the ability to join with a creature who shall be in your life for a number of years.
Take into account that these numbers are the everyday common lifespan. My senior Abyssinian guinea pig, Muffy, has formally celebrated with 10 (veggie) candles on her birthday cake – and she or he’s nonetheless going robust!
Sturdy and Wholesome
Guinea pigs will not be predisposed to any main well being circumstances or ailments. Actually, they’ve a powerful immune system that retains them wholesome and secure. Hardly ever do they fall sick, which is another excuse why you don’t have to fret an excessive amount of about shedding them at a younger age.
Pleasant and Affectionate
Not solely are cavies cute, however they’re additionally very pleasant and affectionate, particularly with their pet dad and mom.
It’s quite common for guinea pigs to greet their proprietor, coming to the sting of the habitat to name them over with excited wheeking. That is wonderful proof of how cavies have a tendency to construct a relationship with their human households. These traits make them endearing, and very often, the middle of the family.
Mild and Quiet
One other advantageous trait is their light, quiet temperament. As you may think about, it’s seen as an enormous profit for a lot of households, particularly those who have children.
Cavies actually don’t wreak havoc, and usually fall right into a quiet each day routine. Plus, since they don’t require common out of doors time a number of instances a day, they’re lots simpler to look after by working-class households.
No Want for Large Area
Since these creatures are fairly small, they don’t want an enormous quantity of house. In fact, they do require a correctly sized habitat and each day out-of-the-cage time. However, not like bigger pets equivalent to cats and canine, they will reside a superbly joyful, wholesome life in a smaller space. Plus, they’re very simple to move and carry since they’re so little.
Low-cost Vegetarian Food plan
As tiny vegetarians, their food regimen shouldn’t be solely easy to comply with but it surely’s additionally very low-cost, making it simple to feed them.
As nicely, due to these dietary habits, their waste is a lot much less smelly than that of a canine or cat. Once you’re the one answerable for cleansing out their habitat, it is a large benefit!
Adaptable and Simple to Handle
Cavies usually adapt to their environment comparatively simply and shortly. The truth that they’re simple to handle once you’re caring for them is another excuse why they’re such a perfect pet.
Fixed Calm Temper
Generally, bigger domesticated household pets want fixed consideration, or their habits can change. Nonetheless, guinea pigs are very fixed of their temperament and are usually in a peaceful temper. In fact, you’ll want to concentrate to them every day, however they received’t take it out on you in case you don’t feed them what you’re consuming!
Cons of Proudly owning Guinea Pigs
It’s equally vital to speak concerning the negatives of proudly owning a specific pet, as a result of not every part goes to be a stroll within the park! Plus, it’s merely the truth of being a guinea pig guardian.
This data is very important as it will assist people who find themselves inexperienced as pet homeowners to actually assess if they need cavies of their lives – which in the long term is essential for a pet’s wellbeing and security and stop abandonment.
So, let’s get on with the cons of adopting guinea pigs.
They’re Small – However They Nonetheless Want Some Area!
Usually, guinea pigs are seen as these little furry creatures that don’t require a lot house. Whereas that’s true to some extent as we talked about, they do positively want the suitable quantity of room to remain wholesome.
Not all cages are created equal – so earlier than you seize your previous mouse home from the basement anticipating it to fit your new cavy, do your analysis. In smaller households they’ll just do positive, however provided that you give your guineas the suitable habitat. Lack of house may cause them to be aggressive and reduce their life expectancy.
Delicate Creatures
Though they’re not vulnerable to medical circumstances, you do nonetheless want to ensure they don’t get worms, mites, and different pests. As with every different pet, they want correct care – they’re alive, in any case!
If a state of affairs happens the place they do require a visit to the vet, it’s good to be keen to convey them there. And naturally, pay the price.
Certain to Their Habitat
In contrast to a canine you may simply leash-up and take to the nation home for the summer season, guinea pigs are completely certain to their habitats. If it’s good to go someplace for an prolonged period of time, then you definately’ll want to contemplate transporting their cage – and hay, and greens, and water, and litter, and every part else.
Certain, they’re simple to hold round, however they’ll all the time want their secure, safe shelter, irrespective of the place you go.
Smelly Cage Contents
The reality is, you may’t simply use a plastic bag to select up your pet’s poop and be finished with the mess. A cavy’s atmosphere wants very common cleansing and altering.
Even when your guineas principally do their enterprise in a single place, their cage can get tremendous smelly from previous meals and knocked-over water when not cleaned out repeatedly.
Naturally Nervous and Skittish
Together with their calm demeanor comes a naturally nervous, skittish character. Some cavies are even fairly shy and spend numerous their time in hiding. This will positively be an actual challenge if somebody is anticipating an outgoing pet.
Noisy Wheeking and Chutting
All through the day, relying on what’s happening, guinea pigs could make numerous completely different noises. Between the wheeking and the chutting, these sounds can hold you up at evening. Whereas it’s not as loud as howling, some individuals can certainly discover it very bothersome.
Panicked Destruction
When left alone for lengthy intervals of time, particularly in the event that they’re a solo pet with no fellow cavy companion, guineas may cause destruction to their cage – and themselves. This will contain chewing the cage supplies, ripping aside toys, and digging up the bedding. In some instances the place cavies are so lonely, they will flip this destruction on themselves, pulling out hair and biting their pores and skin.
Above all else, it’s good to be sure to’re keen to totally decide to caring on your pets. As nicely, in case you solely have one cavy, it’s best to contemplate adopting one other furry good friend to alleviate their stress of loneliness and melancholy. Guinea pigs are very social creatures in order that they ought to be saved in pairs or teams.
Value of Residing and Healthcare
In fact, in comparison with bigger pets, the prices for meals and healthcare are often drastically decrease. However it’s, nonetheless, an vital ingredient to think about. Prices are much less, however they’re nonetheless there, and also you’ll by no means fairly know if sudden vet payments will pop up sooner or later.
Lifespan Inaccuracies
Nobody can ever assure your pet will reside to a ripe previous age. When your loved ones is emotionally connected to your guinea pigs, it may be an enormous hit after they die sooner than anticipated – particularly on youthful kids.
In case you’ve determined that, after having learn the cons of our listing, you’re nonetheless interested by adopting some furry little companions, they will actually convey some love into your life. Please, do keep in mind that pets are for all times, whether or not which means one 12 months or twenty.
Once we first adopted our guinea pigs, Muffy and Lilly, our household was residence to 2 canine and an innumerable variety of fish. Though over time we’ve sadly misplaced some companions, we’re true pet lovers and we’ll all the time have room for yet one more furry face.
Are you interested by adopting cavies for the primary time or a guineas-for-life pet guardian? Tell us within the feedback under!
