National Pet Month - The Guinea Pig

This month from April 1- May 5 is National Pet Month and all those who own a pet know that they soon become a vital part of the family. They are there at those important milestones, celebrate the successes in our lives and comfort us when we're upset. What's great about our furry/scaly friends is that they never judge and have an unconditional love for those they are close to in their lives.

First domesticated in Peru, the guinea pig has been around for thousands of years and made its way to Europe in the 1500s where they were raised as exotic pets. In fact, Queen Elizabeth I was among one of the first guinea pig owners in Europe.

There are 13 known guinea pig breeds and these include the Abyssinian, English, smooth coat, silkie and teddy. They are all similar in size, except for the Texel, and are of medium length with large round eyes and a Roman nose. Dependent on their breed, they may have a smooth coat, short hair or long hair and come in a range of colours such as chocolate, beige, silver, golden, brindle, roan, dalmatian or tortoiseshell.

Guinea pigs eat a variety of grass, fruits and vegetables in order to keep healthy, but it is important to ensure they are given extra vitamin C because their bodies cannot produce it themselves. They are one of the few mammals, other than humans, that require extra vitamin C to keep healthy. An adult needs 15-25mg each day, while pregnant females require 30mg. Guinea pigs that are ill or injured can need up to 100mg to help them get better.

Vitamin C can be provided in the form of food pellets which are available in all petshops. These pellets are much better than the normal food mixtures because your pet cannot pick and choose the parts that they like. This way all the food is the same and gives them all the nutrients they need.

Their digestive system breaks down food quickly, so they need to eat almost constantly. In addition, it is important to provide them with hay because this helps to keep their intestines healthy. It also enables them to wear their teeth down and is a good substitute for the plants and grasses that their wild cousins have access to. In addition, they enjoy vegetables including brussel sprouts, red or green peppers, parsley, dandelion and broccoli leaves.

Other foods such as avocado, chocolate, dairy products, iceberg lettuce, meat, onions, potatoes, raw beans and nuts or seeds should be avoided because they can be toxic.

As guinea pigs are prey animals, they can move quite fast. When you go to pick up your guinea pig, always support their legs and spine because they can be prone to back problems. It will also help them to feel secure and so they won't want to leap out of your arms, especially when you take them to and from their hutch!

I've been lucky to have looked after my friend's guinea pigs on a number of occasions and they're always so friendly and happy to see me. Well, especially if food is involved! They are very sociable pets and I love the way they make noises to illustrate their mood.

They are also naturally curious and so it is important to provide them with toys and spend time with them in order to keep them happy.

Fun Fact: Unlike other pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs are diurnal which means they are awake at the same time as us and they sleep when we sleep. Although, they certainly like to take a nap or two during the day, too!

How Much Does Your Pet Mean To You?

We all love our pets, whether they are tiny, huge, scaly, feathered or furry, and it's our duty to provide them with the best care we can to keep them happy and healthy. However, it's not all one way and it has actually been proven that most pet owners are happier in their own lives because they share it with a pet.

To celebrate the second year of the National Office of Animal Health's (NOAH) 'I Heart My Pet' campaign, researchers conducted a study of more than 2,000 pet owners to see just how our animals affect us in our day-to-day lives. They found that approximately 90 per cent of those interviewed claim to be happier as a result of having a pet and 48 per cent of people believed that spending time with their pets reduced their stress levels.

I've had rabbits since I was eight years (I'm nearly 24 now!) and I have to say that they have certainly enriched my life. I got my rabbit Simba just over two years ago and he's such a character. I've bought him in overnight every day since the winter because of the horrible weather we've had and there's nothing better than going into the kitchen to have my breakfast and seeing him waiting for me to open his hutch door. Even though he can't talk back, those morning chats while we're eating breakfast (me with my shreddies and him with a leaf of cabbage) help get the day off to a great start.

NOAH also found that more than one in five people surveyed said they are at their happiest when they spend time with their pet. My grandad passed away a few years ago and my nan would have been very lonely on her own. Her lhasa apso Daisy helps to distract her and keep her busy. She's a bundle of fluff and when we go and visit, she always carries my bag inside!

I can say the same about one of my friends who is elderly. He lost his wife a couple of years ago and he has a pet lurcher called Penny. I believe that having Penny during this difficult time has helped to keep him going.

It was enchanting to read that some of the findings of this survey paints a picture of a nation of Doctor Dolittles. This is because they found that almost two thirds of owners believe they can understand the noises their pet makes and 49 per cent say they are able to read their pet's facial expressions. In addition, 48 per cent think they know when their pet is happy or sad.

I love this idea and think all pet owners roughly know how their pet is feeling at a certain time. Sometimes, when I'm grooming Simba's mane (he's a lionhead) he puts on a long-suffering face as if to say 'Go on then, if you have to.' When I've taken Penny out for a walk, she'll bark at my friend and he knows whether she wants to go out into the garden or if she wants some food.

I think when we spend so much time with our pets, we do develop a kind of a relationship with them. It works the other way, too. If I'm sad, Simba will come up and just lay next to me, just to let me know that he's there and he'll let me stroke him for as long as I need to.

The final results of the survey discovered that 12 per cent believe their pet is the most important person in their lives and and one in 10 women would turn to their pet before a partner with a problem.

This shows just how much we value our pets and reinforces that they are full-fledged members of the family. I think they are just as important as any other member, more so because they depend on us to look after them and take them to the vet when they are ill. Last year, Simba broke his leg and me and my family spent £500 so that the vet could help make him better. While this is a lot of money, I believe he was worth it because as an pet owner I have a duty to look after him.

The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has a new website (www.pethealthinfo.org.uk), which offers expert healthcare advice for pet owners, as well as activities to help keep pets happy and healthy all year round. Follow the campaign @Iheartmypetuk on Twitter or find IHeartMyPetUK on Facebook.