Guinea pigs were shown in a different light in the 2009 hit G-Force, the CGI-Animated feature by Disney which told the tale of how an elite-force of guinea pigs managed to stop the diabolical plans of an evil mastermind in ruling the world.
Featuring the voice talents of Will Arnett, Penélope Cruz and Zach Galifianakis, the movie did well in inspiring a younger generation of guinea pig fans, with countless children gunning for pet guinea pigs after seeing the movie.
As pets, their history began in the 16th Century, when European traders brought them to port as cute and cuddly pets, with docile natures and non-volatile tempers. By the 17th Century, a number of tests and studies utilized guinea pigs as subjects, thus the connotation of “test subjects” with the term “guinea pigs”.
Modern trends, however, have changed the norm when talking about them as test subjects, with mice now often used as models in testing cures for various human diseases and conditions.
As pets, guinea pigs are not all that fickle to have, with grass being its natural dietary staple. With molars primarily designed for grinding, guinea pigs are also known to have a penchant for hay, along with the consumption of various grasses.
However, a number of vegetables (like wild celery and bulb-type plants like onions) are considered to be poisonous for guinea pigs, and feeding them with these are highly not advisable.
Considered to be the ideal “start up pet” for kids, guinea pigs can grow up to 8 to 10 inches in length, weighing somewhere between 1.5 to 2.5 lbs. Their lifespans are at an average between four to five years, though there are guinea pigs known to have lived longer.
As pets they make for great companions, docile and non-violent in their overall keeping in homes and households. If you feel your home could do with a simple pet to maintain, a pet guinea pig stands to be one good option.
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