These animals are some of the most mellow rodent pets, which could be one of the reasons they are so popular in families with children. Are guinea pigs good pets for very young kids, however, including toddlers and preschoolers?
Guinea pigs are excellent pets for children aged 5 or older. Guinea pigs are gentle, playful, and relatively easy to maintain. Guinea pigs sleep a lot during the day and could be awake for several hours at night, which can be an issue for some households. Guinea pigs should be kept in pairs for companionship.
Some of the factors to consider are not either positive or negative. Guinea pigs just need to be the right match for your family and the lifestyle of your household.
10 FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND
1. The Sleeping Patterns Of Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are not entirely nocturnal, they are crepuscular. It means that they are most active at dusk and dawn.
These pets can be quite active during the night. During the daytime, a guinea pig could have periods of activity and take frequent naps. Their level of activity could even be about the same during days and nights.
Some kids do not mind the soft background noise that could be coming from their pet’s habitat during the night. If your kiddo is a light sleeper, the guinea pig’s cage might need to be placed in the living room or some other location away from high-traffic areas.
If your child gets frustrated with his or her pet sleeping through the day instead of being available to play, you will need to patiently communicate the message to your son or daughter as many times as needed. Some guinea pigs do adjust to being awake during the day but it is neither healthy nor easy for them.
2. Mellow Temperament, Friendly Disposition
Guinea pigs are sociable, curious, and mellow and most of these animals do enjoy cuddling.
The child must know to be careful and kind with these gentle pets. When you bring your pet, or pets, home from a store or a rescue shelter, let them explore the habitat for a few days. Make sure your pets are eating and voiding appropriately before approaching and trying to pick them up.
Pet your guinea pigs and see how they respond. Feed them from your hand a few times. Finally, pick them up gently and let them feel contained and cozy, so they begin to associate you with comfort.
Unlike hamsters, guinea pigs are not prone to biting. However, pretty much any pet can bite if the conditions are right. A guinea pig is far more likely to run away when frightened but could bite if cornered and feeling threatened.
Teach your child to respect the animals’ space, as soon as your kiddo is old enough to understand. Remember that guinea pigs are very sensitive to noises. If your pet is hiding or appears restless, it might be tired or simply overwhelmed. If your young child wants to interact with an animal who is trying to hide, it could be better to redirect the kiddo to prevent an incident and stress to the animal.
3. Health Concerns For Kids Under Five Years Old
It is important to note that according to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention recommendation, children younger than 5 should avoid direct contact with rodents. Some of the illnesses transmitted by guinea pigs and other rodents are entirely preventable by maintaining proper hygiene but it is hard to do that with very young kids.
In addition, young kids’ immune systems are more immature and may be affected to a greater extent by bacteria or viruses that would cause no issues to older children and adults.
Guinea pigs can also trigger an allergic reaction in kids and adults alike, which is a common issue with many animals, of course. So, if possible, you and your child should spend some time with a guinea pig before bringing one home, to make sure everyone can tolerate being around these animals.
4. Guinea Pigs Should Be Kept In Pairs
A guinea pig can get lonely and unhappy as an only pet.
If you can provide your pet with plenty of attention, that is great. These animals do, however, need to live in pairs. More than two pigs are appropriate, as long as you do not house two male pets in one habitat. A male and a female, two females, and a male and several females would be preferred combinations.
In other words, you are looking for a commitment to a couple of pets for about 8 years or so, which is a typical life expectancy for a guinea pig. At the same time, the amount of care two guinea pigs need is not significantly different from one.
5. If You Have Other Pets
Guinea pigs are small animals often perceived as prey by cats and dogs. They are vulnerable and defenseless, which makes it easy for them to be attacked by other animals.
This is not an issue if you do not have and do not intend to have other pets at home for some time. But if you think your child might eventually talk you into welcoming a dog or a cat, then this is something to be mindful of.
In most cases, if guinea pigs and a cat or a dog are raised together, they do grow to like or at least tolerate each other and can coexist peacefully. But they should be supervised for the safety of the smaller pets.
6. Relatively Easy To Take Care Of
This is one of the most common reasons parents opt for guinea pigs as pets for their children. It is quite easy to take care of them in terms of daily and regular routines.
Guinea pigs need regular and consistent care, like any other pet, but caring for them is not very time-consuming and can be done on your own schedule.
If you have school-age children at home, taking care of guinea pigs could become a great chore for them. Feeding the pets and doing some cleaning of the habitat teaches a child discipline and accountability. These pets still do need a responsible caretaker, so if your child is just learning to take on responsibilities, please support them with some guidance and plenty of supervision.
7. Inexpensive To Maintain
Guinea pigs do not cost much to welcome and maintain.
Your initial costs will amount to about 200$ if you are in the U.S. The figure includes the cost of the guinea pigs themselves if you are buying them from a pet store. It is a great idea to check out your local rescue group and shelters because they could have guinea pigs, including pups, that need a home.
8. Great Companions And Therapy Pets
Docile, sweet, and cuddly, guinea pigs make great companions for young and school-age children.
Any animal can be a therapy one, even without having the actual designation of a therapy pet. It is just a matter of personal preference and what animals are most pleasant to your child.
Guinea pigs can be fabulous companions, just like cats and dogs. They have a positive impact on children with anxiety, social adjustment issues, and just any child who takes care of and learns from living with these sweet animals.
9. Sensitive To Hot Weather
Guinea pigs are susceptible to hot weather, which is something to keep in mind if you live in a warm climate. It is a factor even if you have air conditioning at home, especially if your pets get to go outside from time to time under your supervision.
10. Long Life Expectancy
Compared to hamsters and other rodent pets, guinea pigs do live longer lives. The typical life expectancy is five to eight years.
For most households, that is a preferred characteristic but it does imply a commitment for a long time, so it is just another factor to keep in mind.
Related Questions:
Do Guinea Pigs Cause Allergies? Guinea pigs have a high potential to cause some allergic reactions, including rhinitis and asthma, in sensitive people. 6 proteins are known allergens in these pets’ dander and body fluids but hay and bedding in their habitats could also trigger an allergic reaction. It is a good idea to test if you or your children can be around a guinea pig. Some routines could reduce the presence of allergens in your home, which means that a mildly allergic person could welcome a guinea pig in their home despite allergies.
