We recently acquired two new family members: Tufty and Squeak, a pair of guinea pigs from a rescue centre where 70 males and three females were looking for new homes. Astrid, who’s just turned eight, has lobbied for a pet for a long time. The decision to add anything or anyone more to our family life was controversial. As regular Outnumbered readers will know, we struggle to keep on top of day-to-day chores. I’m a firm believer, though, that the presence or absence of pets is not going to make me any more or less able or likely to conquer folding the clean laundry. I’m not alone – in the UK, 17 million households are responsible for a pet, with seven in 10 children owning one. Luckily, when I asked my husband Mark’s opinion on getting a pet he answered positively, which he meant as a yes-possibly-sometime-in-the-future but I interpreted as a yes-great-birthday-present idea, and immediately told Astrid. There is no way of putting the excited delight-genie of a pet promise back in the bottle.

Considering our pet options

We ran through many options, ruling out everything from pygmy hedgehogs (nocturnal, when I’m hoping our future involves fewer night-time wake-ups) to dogs (we all love them, but even with my optimistic nature I’d feel slightly hesitant that we’d be biting off more than we can chew – maybe one to reconsider in a few years). It turns out that guinea pigs are perfect for us. Xavi, who’s just turned six, declared almost immediately while stroking Tufty: “I love him. Can we keep him until he dies?” So, as new pet owners with little experience in the field, here’s what parents should know about extending their family. (Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA)

The benefits aren’t just for children

I’d thought guinea pigs would be good for the children – I hadn’t counted on their benefits for me. Take mornings. I used to have to cajole the children into getting dressed. Now, they race to get ready because they want time to play with Tufty and Squeak before school. I love watching the calm, caring kindness they bring out in us all. Dr Suzanne Held, associate professor at the University of Bristol School of Veterinary Sciences, explains that if they are looked after well, there’s a lot of evidence that pets have “an overwhelmingly positive influence” on a family. “They foster empathy as children care and nurture their pets and learn to love them,” she explains. “Heart rate and blood pressure, even in children, is reduced when cuddling pets. Oxytocin – the cuddle hormone (pictured) – lowers cortisol levels in the blood.” Oxytocin, also produced while breastfeeding, produces a feeling of contentment – it’s no wonder I find it impossible to feel stressed when stroking an animal. (Photo: Kateryna Kon/Getty/Science Photo Library)

Unconditional attention

For teenagers, Dr Held believes the unconditional attention from her family dog is positive. “In adolescence, it can be a family social icebreaker,” she says. “My children are teenagers, and the dog loves everybody unconditionally, regardless of what’s going on. Even if I can’t talk to anybody, the dog will lay on my bed and give me emotional support.” Dr Anne McBride, author of the Understanding and Caring for your Pet series of books and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton, says that I shouldn’t call them therapy pets, though. “They’re not a therapy tool, they are a family member,” she tells me sternly. “They might make you feel good, but so does a good marriage. And these guys didn’t have any choice.” That’s me told. (Photo: Klaus Vedfelt/Getty/Digital Vision)

Research which pet suits your family

Working out the ideal pet for your family is crucial, not just species but also breed and sex. For example, the large number of male guinea pigs at the rescue centre is because while they’re happy in pairs, in bigger groups they often begin to fight. We’ve also learnt that Tufty and Squeak need a pet hot-water bottle at night to keep comfortable through winter, a run and plenty of hay. Dr Held cautions that small animals, such as guinea pigs and rabbits, are near the bottom of the food chain. “They are food providers for larger animals. They learn that big [humans] aren’t predators with early socialisation and cuddling so they feel relaxed,” she explains. Dogs, in contrast, have been long domesticated and will offer unconditional affection – but have higher needs from their family. She also recommends getting pets from animal rescue centres where possible and, if choosing a specific puppy breed, choosing private breeders so you can see how the mothers are kept.

Don’t tell children a pet is their responsibility

After looking around the guinea pig rescue home, we chatted with Astrid and Xavi about whether they felt ready for pet responsibility, or wanted to wait until they were a little older. We made it clear we’d help with the cleaning and feeding. I swear they sat up at least an inch taller with pride as they solemnly told us they were ready. Honestly, I thought we’d pretty much aced that chat. Dr McBride, though, isn’t so sure. “I find the phrase, ‘let’s get pets for children’, wrong. We say ‘it’s the family dog’ but ‘it’s a child’s guinea pig’. You’re putting responsibility on the child, whereas, actually it’s a family responsibility,” she says. She has a point: the one time that Squeak jumped out of his carrysack to explore – he was quickly rescued -, Astrid, who is very conscientious, felt concerned that it was her responsibility. Cue hasty backtracking as we explained that while the children are in charge of cuddles, it is always the grown-ups’ responsibility to keep pets alive, safe and loved and she had nothing at all to worry about. “Are your children, at the age of 16, still going to be interested?” Dr McBridge asks. “Everyone in the family needs to understand the pets’ needs and make sure they are met.”

Don’t take getting a pet lightly

This might seem obvious to those of us who grew up in the era of “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas” adverts, but remember a pet isn’t for the short term. Dr McBride says: “This is a living, sentient being that we want to love and bring into our family. But you’ve only got to look at the free ads to see how many stop being loved.” There are more than 100,000 homeless dogs in the UK, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, as well as all the other unwanted pets. The rescue centre where we picked up our guinea pigs has to now keep its address hidden online. Previously the owners would find abandoned animals left at their front door by people who knew they’d never be turned away (Photo: Hugh R Hastings/Getty)

When you feel ready

In fact, Dr McBride recommends buying a robot dog before making a decade-long commitment with the real deal. The Keyi Loona petbot is one of the most advanced on the market and while it might be expensive at £370, it’s a lot cheaper than vet bills. If in doubt, there are also short-term pets, she says, such as investing in a wormery. If you do feel ready and prepared, though, I’d hugely recommend adding a furry family member to your family. Our rescue guinea pigs who have been with us for two months now have improved all of our lives and it’s been wonderful seeing the children’s love for them grow. As Dr Held says: “It shouldn’t be done lightly, but if you can provide what the animal needs then it’s a win-win.” (Photo: Sebastien Bozon/AFP/Getty)