What is your opinion on this?

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If you think your children are ready for a furry playmate, guinea pigs are one of the best options to get for first time fur pet owners.

That sentence immediately annoyed me, I strongly disagree that pigs make a good pet for kids, unless the parents accept primary responsibility.

And when you pick up the cavy, it should be heavy and strong, but it should not put up a fight – you don’t want an aggressive pet guinea pig.

Slightly poorly worded...guinea pigs may 'put up a fight' due to fright, uncomfortability, or fear. As they become tame things will change. No guinea pigs are aggressive towards humans, just scared.

There are completely bald guinea pigs or skinny pigs as they call it that are best to get if one of your children have asthma. As you can see, there’s a pet guinea pig for everybody, so there’s no point breaking your children’s heart by denying their plea for a furry pet.

What? Do pigs cause asthma issues? I have asthma and have always kept furries, never had a problem. I didn't know about this.

I think it's a good article in terms of the basics of guinea pig care but slightly badly worded in places and I don't like the fact it keeps reinforcing the idea of a 'childrens pet'.
 
I hate the whole site! The way they encourage people to buy guinea pigs for their children is, in my opinion,wrong. They are so timid and gentle and children can be too much. They do not give enough room and to say it can be made up in height is totally wrong! Guinea pigs cannot climb. They also say to feed guinea pigs courgette. I have yet to meet one who will eat that. It is also so wrong to say they do not chew your stuff! Lol. People will be in for a shock there.
 
why's there a picture of a guineapig in a frying pan on the hob? I know the thing isn't on for crying out loud but that's not even funny, that's just sick. This website's misleading and agravating. I fancy writing to them to let them know why!
 
oh I so totally wrote an email. It was massive. I tried to be nice but I did say I thought the picture of the frying pan was distasteful.. something like..I wouldnt take a photo of my own kid crawling into an oven to eat its dinner. {:|

I've just suggested some amendments/additions/ subtractions.. and perhaps citing the guinealynx website. But the article is over 3 years old and probably wont get changed.

I feel like such a meddling ninny but if they want to ignore me they can.
 
I know some do not agree but guinea pigs DO make good childrens pets. I was a child when I got mine and although initially my Mum said she took full responsibility for them, I did all of the care and now thry are definitely my responsibility.

They are entertaining. They are awake more than other rodents and its true that the don't require almost constant attention like a dog.

My only real issue with the article would be the frying pan picture, the lack of mention of rescues and the fact they do not say primary pet responsibility should be down to the parent, otherwise it has done pretty well at covering the basics of cavy care.

Amy
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*Nibbles&Nugget* said:
I know some do not agree but guinea pigs DO make good childrens pets. I was a child when I got mine and although initially my Mum said she took full responsibility for them, I did all of the care and now thry are definitely my responsibility.

They are entertaining. They are awake more than other rodents and its true that the don't require almost constant attention like a dog.

My only real issue with the article would be the frying pan picture, the lack of mention of rescues and the fact they do not say primary pet responsibility should be down to the parent, otherwise it has done pretty well at covering the basics of cavy care.

Amy
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I think the issue with the 'childrens pet' debate is that parents often buy a single guinea pig for children as they are not informed on them being herd animals, and plonk it in a tiny little cage for the kids. If the parent doesn't know how to take care of it, the child certainly won't. They may not know about dietary needs so the guinea may not get fresh veg, the hay it needs, etc. A child will also probably not pick up on any health issues.

If a parent knows about guinea pig care and accepts main care when the child can do the tasks of putting food in there for them, changing water, and playing with them, it's different. But when a child is expected to assume primary care for an animal I don't think it's right, especially if the novelty of the pet wears off.

This doesn't go for just children - I know adults that have assumed guinea pigs can live in a tiny hutch, need feeding every 2 days, and didn't know about dietary requirements. The pigs also didn't get regular health checks. When they got them they were happy and healthy. A few months later they were most certainly not, so I rehomed them. It's just a constant worry.
 
I am afraid I also disagree with the 'guinea pigs make a great pet for children comment'. How many rescues are full of guinea pigs (and other animals) where the child has got bored. I am afraid children can visit childrens zoos, and petting farms, they should not have 'pets' until they are old enough to understand the responsibility and not rely on their parents.

Sorry, just my view, seen far too many times where animals suffer as a result, not the child's fault or the animals just our culture that animals are 'good for children to learn from'. One of my pet hates.
 
there's some good info on there but it is jumbled in with a lot of bad info too. Doesn't mention the importance of company for guinea pigs, rabbits, rats or mice anywhere and they are all highly social species. There is also a page about keeping lions as pets. My overall feeling was that it is a website for people who want pets to show off or as toys rather than because they want to look after and care for animals.
Lots of stupid images of rabbits and guinea pigs with bows in their fur. Oh and it seems to suggest bathing pretty much all species for the sake of it despite it generally being a bad idea for most small furries. Highly stressful and shouldn't be done unless recommended by a vet.
 
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