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A Pampered Pet Pig
May 25, 2016
A Pampered Pet Pig explores how guinea pigs
became pampered pets.
Abstract
As the popularity of having guinea pigs as pets increased over recent decades, their lives have become quite luxurious compared to other rodents. What are the factors leading guinea pigs to be the pampered pets they are today? Previous research has only addressed cats or dogs, but never guinea pigs specifically. In a survey, guinea pig rise to pet fame was explored. Data collected indicated a striking difference between adult and youth responses about guinea pig care. This could explain why guinea pigs have become a more common choice as pets.
Keywords: Pet obsession, Pet popularity, Guinea pigs as pets, Pets with youths, Pets with adults
A Pampered Pet Pig
A guinea pig is a rodent, but it is a spoiled one. How did this South American rat come to have cages, cute names, and packaged food? Along with other pets, the guinea pig has become more popular with many families over the years. As people have become more obsessed with their animals, the pets have taken on the trappings of being spoiled, which is nothing more than receiving more attention (Thompson, 2007). Being obsessed can cause problems, but what caused obsession in the first place? Certain factors have contributed to these pets becoming as pampered as they are today such as the original domestication by the Spanish, an increase in popularity of guinea pigs and pets in general, and an increase in care conveniences and products for guinea pigs.
Owning a pet has become more common in recent decades. Originally, in the 16th and 17th century pets were luxury items, symbols of the wealthy (Dell'Amore, 2012). At the time, guinea pigs who appeared spoiled indicated status and may have played a role in why people obtained the exotic pet (Pappas, 2012). After World War II, when families settled down, the typical American family began to be portrayed with a pet as more started to own a furry critter. "But as the American middle class emerged and grew in the 20th century, all of that changed and pets, like cars and TV sets, became something that anyone could have" (Thompson, 2007). In fact, the percentage of pet owners in our country has increased since the mid-twentieth century to today, where two-thirds of American households have at least one pet (Thompson, 2007). Now more smaller families are owning pets. If the owners of a pet was a couple without children, that pet might get spoiled as if it were their child. Pets help to fill the gap for those people providing them with something to take care of (Brady, Palmeri, 2007).
Prior to the 1950s, everything having to do with caring for pets was done from scratch (Thompson, 2007). There were not even clean litter boxes for the cat. When pets started to become more and more popular, the need for easier clean up arose. Then came the pet store, and having a cage for the guinea pig became as easy as going there and buying one. Nowadays, we have many things for pets that help such as pooper scoopers for dogs and easy to clean cages for guinea pigs. With bagged and processed food feeding guinea pigs became as simple as putting a handful of food in the cage. Special edible houses for hiding made of hay are now being sold as well. They are are not necessary but make entertaining a bored pet easier (Brady, et. al,, 2007).
In a recent survey at [insert censorship here] responses indicated items for guinea pigs such as a cloth bedding for comfort, are not necessary but only used for providing the guinea pig with happiness. Extra products make entertaining their pets simpler for the owners. An owner that was interviewed owned several things including a chew stick, other chew toys, plastic hiding houses, and even a bridge to keep the guinea pig entertained.
Obsession happens when there is an abundance of convenience in products for pets (Thompson, 2007). Pets become showered with unnecessary things because the products are cheaper and can bring the pet comfort, contentedness, or even give the owner a sense of satisfaction (Brady, atal, 2007). We have gone from only the wealthiest having an animal, to many families owning them. If caring for the pet is easier, it is easier to spoil them. Guinea pigs are also caught up in this, with costumes, chew toys, and other items to make them happier. In a recent survey, however, there are problems when some go as far as to view pets as people, and treat them like they are (Shea, 2014).
Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly little rodents. They have turned from a wild animal into a spoiled pet. Guinea pig care and housing have come a long way from when the Spanish brought them to Europe in the 17th century. As more things are created for the entertainment, enjoyment, and happiness of pets, their owners will continue to use them. Special costumes, food, cages, toys, and other things being sold have helped these pets to be spoiled by their owners. This is what has caused these little piggies to become pampered pets.
References
Adams, C. E. "Guinea Pigs." The World Book Encyclopedia: Volume 8. Chicago: World
Book, 2009. 2. Print.
Brady, D., & Palmeri, C. (n.d.). The Pet Economy. Retrieved from <http://www.deanza.
edu/faculty/lillybyron/pdf/ch1_thepeteconomy_aug2007.pdf>
Guinea Pigs Were Widespread as Elizabethan Pets. (n.d.). Retrieved on 3-1-2016
<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/01/120207-guinea-pigs-europe-south
-america-pets-animals/>
North Star Rescue. (n.d.). Retrieved on http://www.northstarrescue.org/pet-care-information
/pet-guinea-pig-care/91-meet-the-guinea-pigs-a-cavy-profile
Obsession with Pets at All-Time High. (n.d.). Retrieved on 3-14-2016.
Pappas, S. (2012, February 2). Pocket Pets: Early Explorers Brought Guinea Pigs to Europe |
' Guinea Pig Archaeological Find | Pets, Rodents & Animals. Retrieved from
Q&A: Pets Are Becoming People, Legally Speaking. (n.d.).Retrieved on 3-14-2016.
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