Guinea pigs need care

WELL-KEPT 'EXOTIC' RODENTS ARE PERFECT PETS FOR CHILDREN

- PAMPERED PETS DR DAVID GRANT Our vet offers his advice

My eight-year-old daughter is very keen to have a guinea pig for a pet. Can you advise on their suitability as pets for children, and where to find the best information on caring for them?

It may surprise you that vets in practice classify any pet that isn’t a dog or cat as ‘exotic’. This includes fish, reptiles, birds and furry animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

None of these featured prominently in my training, admittedly a long time ago, but exotic pet knowledge has increased dramatically. There are now certificates and diplomas for vets wishing to specialise in exotic animal medicine.

I don’t have specialist knowledge in exotics and have always referred or asked for advice from a specialist in the past. However, there are some common features that are obvious when problems in caring for these pets occur.