Guinea pigs are not super heroes and are in fact pets that need
plenty of care and attention.

That’s the message from the RSPCA following the launch of
Disney’s latest summer blockbuster G Force – an animated movie
about super intelligent crime-fighting guinea pigs.

The film is set to be a summer screen hit, but the animal
charity is urging fans not to rush straight for the pet shop.

It is reminding families to carefully consider buying a pet and
to make sure they can afford the time and money that guinea pigs
need.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Guinea pigs have particular
care and dietary requirements so that they can live a long and
healthy life, which is usually around seven years.

“They are also highly sociable animals and should not be kept on
their own. Ideally, they should live with another family member,
such as one of the same sex from the litter.”

One Ashford pet shop has already seen a rise in guinea pig
sales.

Deborah Young of Bybrook Barn Pet and Aquatic, in
Kennington, said: “They’ve certainly been very popular
recently. But they aren’t the super intelligent creatures they are
in the film.”