Perfect family pet

Guinea pigs have been a revelation for our family. Our kids (aged 6, 9, and 12) all interact with them brilliantly. The guinea pigs are gentle, don't scratch or bite, and are tolerant of careful children. They wheek excitedly when the children come home from school. They're messier than hamsters but far more interactive and emotionally rewarding. We've had them three years and cannot imagine life without them.