Myth #8: Guinea Pigs In Easter Baskets

I found this logo on the Web site for our friends at Forever Feisty Chinchilla. A perfect example of delivering a BIG message in a small space, the logo leads to the Web site of the House Rabbit Society, which wrote a page about why rabbits should not be included "in" a child's Easter basket. Had I had the time -- and the artistic talent -- I would have created our own logo: Easter and Guinea Pigs Don't Mix.

We've published our own treatise on the idea of "pets as gifts" or, more specifically, "pets as a child's gift." Pets of any kind, no two ways about it, need to be a family commitment, with the adults taking the primary responsibility for their care.

• Guinea pigs are a commitment with a lot of responsibility.
• Guinea pigs are a commitment that can last 5 to 8 years.
• Guinea pigs are not low-maintenance, put-them-in-a-corner-and-forget-them-until-it's-convenient-to-pay-them-some-attention animals (NO animal is). They require daily interaction and care from you.
• Because of their instinct to hide symptoms of illness as long as possible, detecting illness is a matter of recognizing the early warning signs, such as changes in behavior, changes in eating and drinking habits, changes in bathroom habits, and so forth. Recognizing these signs is a product of careful observation -- which only adults can do.
• Guinea pigs need a gentle hand and a soft voice. They need big people who can teach little people how to have a gentle hand and a soft voice.

If you are thinking of adopting guinea pigs and are wondering if they're a good fit for your home and your lifestyle, check out our list of questions. And you're always welcome to drop us a line...we're here to help!