David Jones, manager of Pets At Home Swindon Bridgemead, writes about looking after guinea pigs

Guinea pigs have been popular pets for a long time. They are incredibly friendly animals and can be tamed very easily, making them an ideal choice for a first pet, especially for children.

While they might be small, any pet is a big responsibility, so it is always important to be aware of the commitment required to keep guinea pigs happy and healthy in your home.

Guinea pigs should generally be kept in a hutch outside, with a run attached. If, however, you want to keep them indoors, the hutch should be placed in a quiet area, as they can become quite stressed around lots of noise – keep this in mind if you have children.

The hutch should have a layer of wood shavings and plenty of good quality hay to keep their teeth in trim and provide them with the all-important fibre they need in their diet.

Fresh, clean water should be available and checked regularly in warm weather, and also in winter to make sure it hasn’t frozen.

Guinea pigs also love fresh vegetables and these are essential to provide the vitamin C they require to stay healthy. Dark green leafy veg like cabbages and broccoli are ideal for your furry friends and have higher levels of vitamin C than most fruits.

It is also recommended to keep lots of toys and tunnels for them to exercise, climb and hide in, which can keep them healthy and entertained at the same time.

Guinea pigs love to explore, so it is important to let them have access to areas outside their hutch – a pen or run in the garden is ideal and can be kept attached to the hutch if they are kept outside.

This is a nice and safe way to allow them to roam around and graze on grass, but alternatively you can simply take them out and let them roam around on your lap.

As they like having company, you could consider having two guinea pigs, which would prevent them from getting lonely when you aren’t around.

As well as daily interaction to keep them company, grooming is a great way to bond with your guinea pig as well as being an opportunity to check for any changes in appearance.

Long-haired guinea pigs may require a gentle brush once a day, whereas once a week is fine for short-haired.

When it comes to dental checks, these are fine to do every three months, but if you don’t feel confident doing these, your vet should be able to provide advice.

Guinea pigs are fun and friendly animals to have as pets, but do require plenty of care to keep them healthy and happy. If you are thinking about having a guinea pig as a pet, why not pop into the store and one of our friendly colleagues will be able to answer any questions you might have.