| Guinea Pig Care |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-702 |
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The gentle guinea pig makes a wonderful pet for a child.
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Pets are a good way for children to learn responsibility. But what type of animal makes a good first pet? Ask DIY's Pet expert, Thane Maynard of the Cincinnati Zoo, thinks the guinea pig is ideal. Here are a few reasons why:: - Guinea pigs are relatively easy to care for, easier than a larger animal such as a cat or a dog.
- Their life expectancy is from three to seven years.
- They can live in a small cage or a contained area in a child's bedroom, or on a kitchen counter (this will give them ample opportunity for socializing with the whole family).
There are just a few points you should keep in mind when caring for a guinea pig: - They need a constant source of water.
- They require lots of vitamin C, so give them plenty of orange slices, broccoli and kale, as well as pelletized food available in pet shops.
- Guinea pigs are rodents, so they will chew constantly. Be sure to provide them with alfalfa cubes or chewing blocks to help keep them from chewing what they shouldn't.
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