Funny TV Show - How long they can stand with their favorite dishes. Some great dogs on it, oh yeah and a monkey.

Guinea pigs often are considered one of the best small pets that you can have. They are actually not a type of pig at all. They are a type of rodent like a hamster, rat or mouse. The word ‘rodent’ is derived from the Latin word ‘rodere,’ which means ‘to gnaw’. Rodents’ teeth grow continually throughout their lifetime and they need to chew on things in order to keep their teeth a manageable size and shape. Guinea pigs are shy creatures that spend a lot of their time hiding. In the great outdoors, you might find guinea pigs living in long grass or the abandoned burrows of other animals.

There are many types of guinea pigs:

Abyssinians- longish hair growing in many “clumps” which makes them look shaggy

Agouti- wild guinea pigs are Agouti. Their hair has dark roots and light tips.

Crowning Crests- crest of hair on their heads

Self- fur is one color

Non-Self- three colors in their fur (black, brown and white as an example)

Peruvian- long, soft, silky hair that grows all the way to the ground, and covers their eyes

Shaggy Shelties- long hair like a Peruvian but it does not cover their eyes

Short haired-short hair

Silky Satins – silky, satiny fur

Waxy Rexes- short, waxy fur (feels coarse)

When you go guinea pig shopping, plan to buy two of the same sex. If you want more than two, get females because too many males in one living space will cause them to fight. If you want to raise guinea pigs, go ahead and get a male and a female, but be prepared for the little ones.

You should always have two guinea pigs because one guinea pig will get lonely and sad without a companion to call its own. Human contact is one thing, but when it comes to guinea pigs, they need a like-minded companion as well.

If you are looking at baby guinea pigs (puppies) with the desire of raising them while they are still young, buy those that are at least six weeks old. Choose the ones that are clear-eyed, and that have clear ears and noses. They should be well fed and plump. They should also have shiny, silky fur all over their body including the underside.

You guinea pig can live indoors or outdoors. If they are going to live inside, they will need a cage for sleeping and a “playroom” for when they are awake. The cage they sleep in should be at least one foot by one foot per guinea pig. The “playroom” can be made of a flat wooden tray about two feet wide by three feet long, with a side all around that is at least eight inches high.

You can purchase the “playroom” or make one yourself. You will be amazed at the types of guinea pig “playrooms” you can buy. If you are serious about purchasing an extended “playroom” for your guinea pigs, be prepared to spend a small fortune.

You can buy specialized multi-layered, stacking houses with wheels, tubes and additional rooms. If your guinea pigs are going to play outside, you can fence off a small patch of lawn for them to play in.

They like to climb, hide and play. If you do not wish to spend money on the fancy housing, at least make sure you provide them with some type of cardboard box or clay tube or bowl to climb on and play in.

Line their cage with newspaper and provide torn up or shredded newspaper for bedding. It is also nice to give them some hay to chew. To keep their teeth from becoming too sharp, provide them with a small fruit tree branch to chew on. You can also purchase chew items for them at the pet store.

Guinea pigs are vegetarians. You can give them pieces of leftover lettuce salad and vegetables from your kitchen. You can also give them grass (fresh, not cut), clover, dandelions, cucumber, celery, sweet corn, carrots and fruit. You can also purchase a large bag of dried mix from the pet store. Place their food in a small, ceramic dish that they cannot easily knock over.

Guinea pigs will also need constant access to water. Place a water sipper in their cage and make sure it is filled at all times.

Having a pet can be one of the most rewarding, joyful parts of a person’s life. Pets offer companionship, loyalty, stress relief and comfort. They can also enrich a person’s life by becoming an important part of the family. There are many powerful, positive impacts that a pet can have on a person’s life.

Having a pet enhances social interactions with others, which in turn provides an indirect effect on one’s well being. The social contact helps rid feelings of social isolation and loneliness.

People who have a hard time socializing with others, like elderly people and those with disabilities, may find that having a pet helps them to be in more situations that allow them to be sociable.

In addition, any type of close human relationship has a significant influence on a person’s well being. The emotional support that a person gains from having a close relationship with another person or a pet will positively affect one’s outlook and self-esteem.

Children benefit from having a pet as it can teach them about responsibility, caring for another living being, sensitivity, empathy and companionship. Having a pet can also positively influence a child’s self-esteem. Children have to rely on adults to tend to their wants and needs on a daily basis. This constant dependence on others can cause a sense of helplessness.

Being the caregiver for their pet can be an empowering experience, as it allows the child to be the one who is responsible for meeting the pet’s needs. It can also teach children who enjoy being the center of attention (maybe to the extreme) that they are not the center of the universe and other living beings need to be cared for as well.

The type of pet that a person chooses will depend on the amount of time needed to care for the pet, the financial aspect of buying, caring for and owning the pet, living space and level of commitment.

Many people do not opt to own a pet because of their living space. People in apartments are either not allowed to own a pet (like a cat or dog) or they have to pay extra initially and each month to house their pet in the apartment. Some people have small homes that will not easily or comfortably accommodate a large pet like a dog.

For those who are in these types of living situations and would still like to own a cat or dog, there are cat and dog types that are well suited for small homes and apartments.

Often when people think about pets, they automatically think about the cat they had growing up or the neighbor’s dog. However, a broad spectrum of pets is available outside of the cat and dog world. There are low maintenance pets like goldfish and turtles, as well as high maintenance pets like pot-bellied pigs and ferrets.

Before running to the pet store and purchasing the cutest, coolest looking animal you can find, it is important to do your research. You need to know what your pet needs to live in to be comfortable and able to thrive.

You will need to know the type and amount of food it requires, its longevity (to assess your short or long term commitment), amount of attention needed, medical upkeep, financial requirements, and the safety of others and your pet in your environment (do you have kids, allergies?).

Keeping all of the factors in mind as you research, also think about what type of pet would fit into your lifestyle and match your personality. If you are a person who likes peace and quiet in the evening after a long day’s work, you may find pet fish or an iguana to be the right pet for you.

If you are a person who thrives on the energy created with noise and activity, a pot bellied pig or a couple of parakeets might be for you. If you are not home a lot, you will need to get a pet that does not require a sustained amount of attention such as crabs or fish.