for x-mas i bought my 6 year old son a guinne pig,it was the best thing i ever did.my sister is a vet and informed me about them,i bought a baby guinne who was quite when i picked it up and stayed still.my son carries it everywhere,he loves it more then anything,guinne pigs are the best choice over any animal you can buy,they are very inexpensive to take care of and they are very very gental animals.my advice,buy him one!