Havent had a pet since dc were born aged 3 and 5.

[sails]

Which is best as a first family pet? Used to have rabbits unfortunately they died before my dc were born. Am thinking guinea pig or a cat have never had either. My mum said today that guinea pigs are nocturnal! Is that true?

I have very limited experience of cats but I can thoroughly recommend guinea pigs. You should be able to get a rescue pair very easily. Please don't get a lone one though as they like to live in pairs or more.

I don't think guinea pigs are nocturnal. Ours are most active, when outside, at dawn and dusk, but inside they are active during the day mostly.

They can live inside or in a garage through the winter and in outside in the summer, with a hutch and run on the grass.

They are very entertaining once they get used to you and lovely for little cuddles.

They do need to be cleaned out regularly though or they will smell horrid.

They are not nocturnal. But my 2 guinea pigs use to squeak alot especially at meal times. :)

We just have to crackle a plastic bag or open the fridge and ours are squealing. I love that though.

How does keeping them indoor work wheres the best place to put the cage can they be "house trained"?

You couldn't leave them to run loose in the house. There would be poo everywhere, they would nibble everything and they might get into bizarre nooks and crannies you never imagined or stood on.

The best place is somewhere cool eg under the stairs.

They enjoy passing traffic but need some quiet time too.

We have outdoor hutches with a run and indoor cages for winter. That seems to work.

i had a guinea pig when our dd was little - great in teh summer months with putting her out in teh run (guinea pig not my dd ) , cleaning hutch and petting etc. but in winter dd was totally disinterested in cleaning out the hutch or entertaining Kylie (not my choice of name!!). I would recommend a cat - they live indoors and outdoors, don't need cleaning out weekly, are independent and just come to you when they need the occasional groom and fuss. Perfect!