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There are small animals available which are cute and furry and make wonderful pets for children (and adults). For many people a dog or a cat is a very serious commitment and a dog or cat is often too large to be the perfect pet for small children.

Dogs and cats pose some risks. For example that have been many instances of young children being attacked by their own pet dog.

They have some huge advantages as a pet. They rarely live much longer than around 5 years, so you won’t be looking after the guinea pig after the kids have left home. They are cheap to buy, usually under $20, they are cheap to feed and don’t get sick as often as other animals. They are warm and furry and like company and will happily sit on your child’s lap in the evening being petted.

Despite the fact that guinea pigs are small cheap pets there are still some important matters to think about before you get your first guinea pig. And the first of these matters is how you will house him.

Generally guinea pigs live in what is normally called a guinea pig hutch or a guinea pig cage.  Guinea pig hutches or cages are normally kept outside and are often built from timber and wire, though metal is useful and easy to clean.

Normally a guinea pig hutch will have 2 areas, a sleeping area that is covered over and protected from the weather and an outdoors area where he can play and exercise and nibble grass.

You shouldn’t use wire on the floor of your hutch as a guinea pig can get a condition known as bumble foot from walking on wire.

The majority of guinea pig hutches sold in pet shops are way too small.  It’s not difficult to make your own cage, and if you’re handy, you can do so quite cheaply, but it is most important to ensure that it is as large as possible.  If not, then you must give your guinea pig time each day to run around and play and exercise.

Guinea pigs are is not hard to feed, although like all animals, you need to learn about what they should and should not eat.  They need hay which is good for roughage and will eat a range of fresh green leaves from vegetables as well as fruits like pears and apples.  Avoid lettuce and cabbage.  They love grass.

You need to understand that once you buy one (or more) guinea pigs, you are committing to cleaning out their guinea pig cage regularly as young children will rarely do this do this well.  You also need to ensure that he is regularly groomed to keep his hair in good condition and free of knots.  This of course is part of the fun.

So if you’ve been thinking about buying a pet for your children, why not consider a small cute and cuddly guinea pig which will make the ideal pet.  Just make sure you provide him with a nice big guinea pig hutch to live in and plenty of the right food.