Average Lifespan: 6–7 years
Full Grown Size: 8–10 inches
Minimum Enclosure Size: About 7 Sq. Feet per Guinea Pig
Enclosure Size Needed When Full Grown: 36” L x 32” W x 18” H
Introduction to Guinea Pigs (Cavies)
Guinea Pigs can be a great family pet with the proper care and handling. They are social animals which is why we recommend daily interaction to ensure bad habits are not developed and they remain tame and lovable.
Their care is easy when compared to most Odd Pets (exotics), as they are easy to handle, don’t need extra large enclosures, and have a fairly easy-to-maintain diet. As with any social animal, they do need regular interaction and socialization to remain a loving family pet, but with these awesome Odd Pets the reward is high and care is fairly easy!
How To Determine Gender
Male guinea pigs tend to be slightly larger than females and generally have a taller crest on their heads.
You can also physically examine guinea pigs by calmly positioning them on their back. The male guinea pigs usually have a readily identified scrotal area and testicles. Females generally have a depression in their genital area that reveals a Y-shape. If it is hard to see due to swelling or age, you can typically apply light pressure just above the area and the scrotum will protrude if it is a male.
Should They Be Housed Alone?
Adult Guinea Pigs should be kept alone if they were raised in isolation, but they can be housed in same-sex pairs if they are at a young age or have been raised with their cage mates. Always use caution when introducing guinea pigs for the first time.
Different species should never be housed together for many reasons. Rabbits and Guinea Pigs are very alike in many ways but should never be housed together due to a bacteria that each of them carries in their respiratory tracts naturally, but it can cause illness to animals outside of its own species.
*Remember they breed at a very early age and very rapidly, so it is never a good idea to keep opposite genders together if they are uncastrated.
Healthy Diet
A well-balanced diet is very important to keep your pet healthy.
- Your pet should always have access to clean, fresh water that is changed at least once a day.
- A high-quality pelleted food formulated for guinea pigs should be offered daily in limited quantities.
- A guinea pig should also have unlimited amounts of clean timothy hay, orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay. (Alfalfa hay is only good for pregnant, malnourished, or young guineas due to its higher amounts of calcium, fat, and protein).
- Fresh vegetables and fruits can be given as a daily snack but should not consist of more than 10% of their diet.
- Guinea pigs do not produce their own Vitamin C. 30 to 50 mg of vitamin C should be provided to your pig a day, it is easy to do this by providing pelleted food, or fruits and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C, or you can purchase supplements to add to their food as well.
Proper Enclosure Description
You should have a proper-sized enclosure that provides around 7.5 sq. ft per guinea pig. Place the enclosure in a place that is away from drafts and direct sunlight. The temperature of the average home is fine for guinea pigs as long as those temperatures don’t exceed 80 degrees F. Guinea pigs are likely to overheat at higher temperatures so it is always best to use caution.
Here is a brief list of some essentials you need for your guinea pig;
- Paper-based Bedding- paper-based is highly recommended due to the bedding being easily digested if accidentally injected. They also help to absorb waste which makes them easier to clean and reduces smells.
- Staples of a healthy diet (Listed above)
- A hide for each guinea pig- We recommend wood, cardboard, or other edible materials due to the fact that your pig will chew on it from time to time.
- Food Bowl- Best to be ceramic or one that hooks onto the cage to prevent it from being tipped over.
- Water Bottle- Refilled with fresh water once a day. We recommend glass water bottles for cleaning and longevity.
- Hay Box- will keep the hay off the ground and keep it from being soiled on, while still giving your guinea full-time access.
- Wood & Mineral Chews- Keeps your guinea busy and gives them a way to successfully keep their teeth healthy.
- Toys & Treats- In an attempt to keep your pet from getting bored and restless, toys provide entertainment, but we also recommend using them to bond with your pet.
- Soft Brush- This should be used to keep your pet’s hair healthy and free from tangles. It will also limit the amount of hair that is ingested during natural cleaning. (Not needed for hairless)
- Nail clippers- Should be used about once a month to keep your cavies' nails at a healthy length and reduce the chances of injury.
Things to avoid;
- Cedar-based products- contain oils that can irritate your pet’s skin and respiratory tract.
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Sugar and High-Fat Treats
Signs The Pet Is Healthy
- Active and alert
- Eating and drinking
- No discharge in the eyes, nose, or mouth
- Walks normally
- Not dropping food or making odd jaw movements when eating
Signs The Pet Is Unhealthy
- Weight loss
- Hair loss or patches of hair missing
- Skin lesions or scabs
- Dirty rear-end
- Distressed or labored breathing for a long period
- Drooling
- Discolored or overgrown teeth
- Lethargy or not reacting to touch or noises
Things You Should Keep In Mind When Getting A Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are great pets, even for families! It is important to remember that they need time to adjust, so even the sweetest guinea pigs can be skittish at first. It is also important to remember that while they are great family pets, small children should always be monitored around small pets to ensure the safety of the child and the animal.
Cavies are easy to care for and very rewarding pets that show compassion and admiration towards their owners! Guinea pigs are very overbred and continue to be sold without proper education and information to provide them the life they deserve. For this reason, we request checking out some rescues and considering adoption before buying. Most of the ones in rescues are only skittish because they have not been in a stable environment and have just as much love to give as one bought from a pet store or breeder.
Please let us know if we missed anything important in the comments! As the sight develops we will be adding more information and more in-depth care sheets as well. If you would like to contribute please see our “About” page where you will find the form for our care sheets and our email address, we would love to hear feedback!
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