Guinea pig appreciation

Yeah, sure, you might think the big holiday was a couple of weeks ago but you would be wrong. The Fourth of July has its upsides. A long weekend most often celebrated with excessive food and beer, and who doesn’t love that? But today is July 16 and we all know that is officially Guinea Pig Appreciation Day!

Oh, the humble guinea pig ... I’ve lived with many over the years, us being the likely family to “temporarily take care” of the ubiquitous classroom pet, most of whom somehow never migrated back to school once the break was over. They always strike me as fur in the shape of a meatloaf but, from a personality perspective, I find them absolute charmers. Domesticated as far back as 5,000 BC (sadly, as food), the English Royals kept them as pets in the 1500s and now we all can too! These affectionate rodents find fans for a number of reasons, including the big variety of vocalizations from soft purrs to the loud “wheeeeet! wheeeeet!” they excitedly squeal once they learn the sound the refrigerator door makes when opened (effectively narcing on even the stealthiest of dieters). They do love food, and require Timothy-hay (both in its natural form and as commercial pellets) plus fresh veggies like carrots, broccoli including its leafy greens, and fresh radish greens. Social animals, they do best if kept in twos or small groups: same sex only please or surgically altered by a vet. Big eaters, they are also big poopers (mounds of “raisinets”) and for that reason, as well as for the need for exercise, large enclosures (larger than what many pet stores recommend) are required (a minimum of 8 square feet for two pigs).