They are charming, gentle little creatures that enjoy human companionship and often show their contentedness by making chirping, almost purring sounds. They enjoy company, so it is nice to keep two of the same sex together. There are many varieties of guinea pigs, and their life span can range from four to seven years. Guinea pigs quickly grow attached to owners who spend the time to keep their pets happy and healthy. Then there are domestic rats, the kind you find in pet shops or for adoption occasionally at the Humane Society.
Rats are clever, comical and even sweet.
They groom themselves often and prefer a regularly cleaned cage. Since rats are one of the most intelligent of our domesticated companions, fasten the door on their cage securely. Get one that is young and gentle, spend a lot of time playing with it, and you'll have one great pet. You can't hug a tropical fish, but you can provide a nice home for one with just an aquarium. Caring for fish can be very rewarding, and they provide a colorful, relaxing focal point in return.