Buying your first guinea pig

Buying Your First Guinea Pig
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Toop]Amanda Toop

Choosing Your First Guinea Pig
There are lots of options when it comes to selecting a place to buy or adopt your first guinea pig. Today the most popular options are pet stores, breeders, rescue centers, clubs, and friends. Depending on where one lives there may be many options available or just a few. Beyond checking the local phone directory and doing and internet search in one's area, don't forget word of mouth. Local guinea pig owners and veterinarians may know of a great source that might otherwise be easily overlooked.

Pet Stores
Pet stores are the easiest and most available option for many families. Pet stores sell a variety of animals, not just guinea pigs, and as such may not have specially trained staff. This results in the potential for a few problems that a careful owner will need to look out for. Guinea pigs sold in pet stores tend to be very young and frequently not sexed correctly. This means that its pretty easy to go to a store buy a "male" guinea pig and then come home to find you have a very young pregnant female. If a pet store is the only option in one's area, make sure to spend some time learning to sex a guinea pig.

Breeders
In an ideal world a guinea pig breeder would be the kind of person who has a special passion for guinea pigs and in fact many breeders likely are. There are many breeders who are strictly interested in selling guinea pigs for profit. The risks of buying a guinea pig from this kind of environment are that there may be latent health problems that are not immediately visible. Mature guinea pigs between the ages of 18 months and two years may also be for sale because they have carried too many litters. Look for a knowledgeable breeder who appears driven by passion, not profit.

Rescue Centers
Keep in mind that most guinea pigs end up in rescue center through no fault of their own but rather end up in homes where the owners ultimately cannot keep them. Rescue centers make an effort to take in as many unwanted guinea pigs as possible. Furthermore, rescue centers tend to be run by passionate, knowledgeable people who are very likely to be able to help one find the best fit for one's family.

Clubs
Frequently one can find guinea pigs for sale at local club shows. This is a good chance to see lots of different guinea pig breeds and speak with owners. Club shows should be open to the public and are a great opportunity to network.

Friends
If a friend or family member has a pregnant guinea pig this can be an easy opportunity to obtain a new pet. Make sure that the puppy stays with the mother for at least eight weeks as leaving home any earlier can cause a lot of stress. Also, even though the owner is known to you, still evaluate the guinea pigs for health and behavioral problems.

Amanda is a lifelong guinea pig lover. For additional information on buying guinea pigs, visit http://www.guineapigresource.com/where-to-get-your-new-guinea-pig/

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