Get To Know Your Guinea Pig: A Care Guide

·       I need daily care and attention. You’ll need to provide me with a constant supply of fresh food and water, clean my living area regularly and spend quality time with me.

·       I’ll need regular visits to the vet to ensure I stay in good health.

·       I can live for 5 to 7 years. Can you care for me for that long?

·       I need a diet made up of hay, fresh vegetables, and a small quantity of pellets.

·       I thrive with a companion, as long as we get on well with each other.

·       I need a safe and comfortable home with a secure exercise area, whether I live indoors or outdoors.

Guinea pigs, or 'cavies,' come from the Andean region of South America. They thrive in domestic settings and can make fantastic pets. With a lifespan of 5 to 7 years, guinea pigs require a commitment to care and affection to ensure a long and fulfilling life.

Choosing a guinea pig involves understanding some of the various breeds, from smooth-haired to long-haired types. A healthy guinea pig is alert, with a shiny coat. It’s vital to choose guinea pigs that are at least 6 weeks old to ensure they’ve received a proper start to life.

Talk to our team about choosing the right type of guinea pig to help you discover your perfect cavy friend.

Approach your guinea pig calmly and gently - sudden movements or loud noises can startle them.

When picking up your guinea pig, you need to support their belly and back legs. Lift them gently but firmly, ensuring their entire body is well-supported. It's important to use two hands when handling, especially for larger or adult guinea pigs, to ensure safety and comfort. Don’t pick them up by their scruff.

Once you have your guinea pig in your hands, hold them securely but not too tightly. You can keep your guinea pig close to your body to make them feel more secure and cradle them against your chest or hold them on your lap.

If children are handling your guinea pig, closely supervise the interaction to ensure your guinea pig’s safety and well-being. 

Also, don’t forget to wash your hands after touching your furry friend!

All guinea pigs, whether housed indoors or outdoors, need a secure and clean environment with protection from hazards. They also need a safe, comfortable place to rest undisturbed and where they can hide from things that may scare them.

The habitat you create for your guinea pig significantly affects their well-being. Whether you choose an outdoor hutch or an indoor cage, the environment must be spacious, secure, and comfortable, offering protection from the elements, including enough shade, draft-proofing and shelter from the rain.

Outdoor Hutches must be robust, waterproof, and elevated, to safeguard against moisture and potential predators, with sufficient insulation and located in a sheltered area.

Indoor Cages should be placed in a cool, draught-free location, away from direct sunlight.

Regular exercise is essential for guinea pigs, so a spacious hutch and daily access to a run are strongly recommended. Temperature control within their home is important, with the ideal temperature maintained between 12°C and 26°C. If your guinea pig lives outside, consider bringing it indoors when the weather strays from this temperature range.

Both indoor and outdoor housing requires a layer of absorbent bedding on the hutch floor, with plenty of hay or straw for nesting. Additional insulation is needed for outdoor guinea pigs, particularly in the colder months. Remove any bedding that becomes wet every day. Keeping your guinea pig and its environment clean, especially during the warmer months, is crucial. Therefore, it's essential to thoroughly clean the hutch at least once a week with pet-safe disinfectants, to maintain hygiene.

Enrichment items like wooden toys, tubes, and huts can help prevent boredom and encourage natural behaviours.

As herbivores, a guinea pig’s diet should consist of high-quality hay, fresh vegetables and a small portion of specially formulated guinea pig pellets.

Hay/grass : At least 85 – 90% of your guinea pigs’ diet should be hay and grass. Hay is essential for digestive health and maintaining dental wear which is key as their teeth grow continuously.

Fresh greens and vegetables: A teacup amount of fresh greens and veg, per guinea pig, per day – greens and veggies high in vitamin C are particularly good. Vegetables like broccoli, parsley, and carrots provide necessary nutrients and variety.

Pellets: Each of your guinea pigs should have one tablespoon of grass-based pellets per day Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid an upset tummy.

Vitamin C is crucial for guinea pigs, as they can’t produce it themselves. Ensure their diet includes vitamin C-rich foods or supplement with a vet-recommended source.

Your guinea pig needs constant access to fresh water in a clean, easily accessible bottle.

To help your guinea pig stay healthy, there are some other steps you’ll also need to consider taking:

1.      Veterinary care and insurance: Register your guinea pig with a veterinary surgeon and think about getting pet insurance to cover any unexpected veterinary expenses.

2.      Neutering: Consider having your guinea pig neutered, as it not only helps prevent certain behavioural and health issues but also allows for compatible social groupings amongst their own kind.

3.      Daily health checks: Regularly examine your guinea pigs to ensure they remain clean and healthy. Check their front teeth and nails to prevent overgrowth or misalignment. Contact your veterinary surgeon if you have any concerns.

4.      Routine grooming: This is vital to prevent mats and tangling in their fur, particularly for long-haired breeds. It also helps to remove dead fur in short-haired guinea pigs.

As guinea pigs get older, they may encounter mobility challenges, such as arthritis, requiring changes to their housing. You’ll also need to keep a closer eye on them to watch for any signs of illness.

Guinea pigs are social animals, thriving in same-sex pairs and compatibly neutered groups to prevent loneliness.

Make it a daily routine to spend time with your guinea pig. They genuinely enjoy human interaction and offering them a small treat can be a delightful way to bond and build trust.

Gentle handling and consistent interaction strengthens your bond with them and enhances their quality of life.

Guinea pigs communicate through squeaks and chatters. They’re vocal animals who squeak and chatter to each other, and also in response to food and enjoyable experiences! Daily access to a run and enrichment activities, like hiding spots and toys, are important to stimulate natural behaviours and prevent unwanted actions.

This blog is produced by Jollyes – The Pet People in collaboration with the Pet Industry Federation.