Before you go rushing off to the pet shop to buy your guinea pig there are a few things that you should consider .

First , will you have time to look after them ?

Do you have any other pets that might not welcome the new arrivals ?

Have you space for them in your garden and somewhere inside in the winter ?

Can you afford to keep them happy and healthy ?

And finally are they the pets for you , remember you can't take them for a walk on a lead !

Guinea pig's love being handled and should be played with every day . When you are on holiday they will need someone to come and look after them every day . If you have other pet's , however friendly they must be held securely while the guinea pig's are arriving . When they have settled in they should be introduced very carefully and even if they seem friendly with one another they should never be left alone together .

In warm weather they should be housed in a out door run or ark . As the weather gets cooler they can be moved to a hutch , in winter time they should be taken indoors .

Guinea pig's are happiest in 16-20 o/c so keep an eye on that thermometer !

A large bag of good quality hay costs about £ 2-00 , guinea pig's love eating it and playing in it . The only safe bedding is treated straw , this cost's about £ 1-50 for a large bag . The main food is guinea pig mix , one of the best is called Gertie Guinea Pig Mix and cost's £ 1-50 a bag . You can buy greens from a green grocers , guinea pigs will eat cabbage , lettuce , spinach , celery , carrots , parsley , and a little fresh fruit such as apple and tomato.These are not very expensive.

Finally you should never buy a surprise pet of any kind and you should always get your parents permission first . Remember you cannot take a guinea pig for a walk , or put it in a fish tank and watch it swim around , or put it in a bird cage and listen to it sing , so is it the right pet for YOU ?

Before you bring your guinea pig home , here is a handy check list of the things you will need for happy and healthy guinea pigs :

Hutch , drinking bottle , food bowl , grazing ark , food and bedding , and a soft grooming brush. Now you can rush off to the pet shop !