Are Guinea Pigs Good Pets for Children?

Bringing an animal into your home is a big decision and one that will impact the whole family. As parents, you may be thinking about how well your child might handle having a furry friend around, or you may be wanting to teach them some responsibility. Guinea pigs can be a great opportunity for that, and here we discuss what you need to consider before getting a new cavy for your children.

Should I Get My Child a Guinea Pig?

Any type of animal is a huge amount of responsibility, especially for a child. Guinea pigs are great animals and make wonderful companions. They may offer ample opportunities to teach children about responsibility and care.

It’s also crucial to consider the fact that children, especially younger children, aren’t capable enough to be in charge of the guinea pig care. UK law states that no one under the age of 16 can be responsible for the care of an animal, their day-to-day husbandry will fall onto the parent or any adults in the home.

Guinea pigs are very child-friendly pets, so it’s important to have guinea pig-friendly children. Piggies love playtime just as kids do so this can be a great match!

However, you’ll need to make sure you supervise your young children when they’re interacting with their guinea pigs to make sure everyone is being safe, and the guinea pig isn’t at risk of being hurt.

What Age is Best for My Child to Get a Guinea Pig?

As much as we like to think our children are grown and responsible, we have to remember they’re still children. While children of any age can find joy in spending time with an animal, younger kids will certainly not be responsible enough to be in charge of their care.

If you’re wanting your child to share the responsibility of caring for a guinea pig, then ideally you should wait until your child is at least 12 years old. Even at this age, they may be excited to help but the novelty of new pets can very quickly wear off, so make sure you’re fully willing to take on the burden of care for your new piggy by yourself.

If you’d like your child to take on sole responsibility for a guinea pig, then you should wait until they’re 16. Around this age, they will truly be able to understand the needs of the animal and will be fully capable of handling it themselves. This is when they will be able to have ownership of the animal legally too.

Are Guinea Pigs Easy to Take Care of?

Guinea pig care is not overly complicated but may easily overwhelm someone less experienced. For a child, their care may be too much to handle. In terms of care, they do require a lot more than the average dog or cat.

Do Guinea Pigs Need a Lot of Care?

If you haven’t owned a guinea pig before, or are lacking in experience with them, then it may take a while to get the hang of their care.

Guinea pigs have more complex dietary requirements than other common pets such as a balance of pellets, veggies, and hay. Depending on their enclosure size and location, they can create a lot of mess that would need cleaning up daily. They will also need a lot of mental stimulation to help keep them happy and content, which means a lot of toys and playtime.

Guinea pigs are also very social animals, so ideally you would acquire several piggies and not just one. This would also multiply the amount of time spent caring for them, and the cost of food, toys, cleaning, and vet bills. Guinea pigs often need to be treated specifically by an exotic vet too, which sadly can make vet care more pricey.

You’ll also need to learn how to handle a guinea pig, their grooming requirements, and potentially study up on the possible illnesses, diseases, or medical conditions so you can better recognise if something isn’t quite right with your piggy.

How Long do Guinea Pigs Live?

Guinea pigs on average live 4 to 8 years, which is much longer than most rodents. In some cases, guinea pigs have been known to live much longer than this too. The oldest guinea pig we know of has lived a long and happy 15 years!

With guinea pigs able to live a pretty long life, they can be an ideal choice if you’re wanting your child to have an animal that they’re able to grow up with. Having an animal with a longer lifespan allows more opportunities for your children to create a genuine bond with them.

How Much Are Guinea Pigs?

The up-front cost for a guinea pig for sale is about £20, though this can vary depending on the area you live in, the breed of guinea pig and where you’re buying them from. Pet stores will usually sell them at the longer range. However, due to their need to keep up with the market, their breeding practices aren’t always ideal. It’s not unheard of for someone to walk away with a sick guinea pig without even knowing.

On the other hand, private breeders tend to charge a little bit more for their guinea pigs, ranging from £20 to £50. While the price may be a jump, a reliable breeder will take much better care of their animals and will be able to better understand their health and genetic history.

If you were looking to adopt a guinea pig from a shelter or rescue, the adoption fees are typically set around £20. If you’re wanting a cheaper option for purchasing a piggy, then adoption may be the best choice. Not only is it cheaper than a private breeder, you’re giving an animal a second chance at a good home.