Don’t skip the guinea pig!
Our family loves animals, both big and small. One of our most recent pet additions included, Peanut, a short-haired guinea pig. Luke, my youngest son, and his dad took at trip to PetSmart and picked out the cutest little guy ever! This furry ball of love has been the perfect addition to our home.
Acclimating Peanut to our two dogs was very easy. Polly, our puggle, looked at us like “What is this thing?” and went on about her day. Wriggly, our other dog, definitely had more interest in our new little guy and when put nose to nose with him, gave him a little lick. Check! Everyone was going to get along wonderfully.
Luke started out with Peanut in his room claiming sibling territory but very quickly, Peanut let us know that he really wanted to be with everyone else. So how does a guinea pig communicate? Through a continuous little squeak. 🙂 Guinea pigs are actually very social pets that like lots of interaction.
Daily interaction includes:
-Walks :Yes, we harness him up and take him outside for a little fresh air, and the neighborhood kids come a running! They are natural kid magnets and with a little coaching, even the smallest of the neighborhood little ones can handle him with care!
-Sunggle Time: Guinea pigs like to cuddle, and if you hold them up to your neck, they will sit passively just enjoying a Monday night Bachelorette season right along with you.
-Games: Peanut’s favorite game is “hiding in the blanket.” Guinea pigs like to feel safe, and closed tight spaces is their favorite. We discovered this quickly as he would go running under a blanket in the living room and then when you called his name, he would peak out. This quickly became his favorite game.
As a parent, I love teaching my kids to be responsible for something other than themselves. Pets are often a great first lesson. We often think first of a dog or cat and seldom think about starting with a furry little rodent, such as a guinea pig. So, if you’re thinking about a first or second pet for your child, don’t skip the guinea pig as a great option. Make sure to check your local shelter for adoptable pets!