At What Age Are Guinea Pigs Suitable For Children?

[Bekki]

Hello, long time to see on TGPF for me ... quick catch up is that I now have a son he is only 16 weeks but we don't have any piggies at the moment. I had some problems with my lungs due to a reaction to a drug, its a chemotherapy drug with like a 1 in a million probability of it ... and it was me but I'm as recovered as ill ever be and with inhalers I think I will manage piggies now however, I wont take them on until my boy can interact with them. To get back to the point, roughly when can children really interact with them? Supervised of course and id be padlocking the cage shut too!

 

[Hoppity.K]

Hello and congratulations on your baby boy. I’m sorry to hear you’ve been poorly too, glad to hear your inhalers will control it.
I’ve worked with nursery aged children for years, I specialise in 3&4 year olds. With supervision, a 3+ year old may be able to/want to interact with guinea pigs. It’s depends also on the Piggy. My late Pedro started off his life in a nursery & it made him ever so unhappy. (He was neglected though). As young children can make sudden unexpected loud noises & gestures, this frightened Pedro so he acted in defence & became a bit of a biter. He wasn’t suited to young children at all. So I guess it depends on child & piggy. Xx

 

[Kithri]

Congratulations on your baby boy!

I would say it definitely depends on the pig and the child! My best friend had a guinea pig at quite a young age, but she was always very mature and responsible - the perfect candidate! On the other hand, I know my niece, who is almost 11 and older than my best friend was, wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility and time required. She might not also be as gentle and soft as my best friend was. So I think it's just a matter of gauging the child himself and the temperament of the piggy!