Despite their name, guinea pigs aren't actually pigs! They're part of the rodent family, just like rats and mice.
Also known as cavies, these adorable little animals are gentle, social, and full of personality, making them wonderful companions for families.
However, while guinea pigs may be small, they still require plenty of care, attention, and commitment. Like all pets, they're entirely dependent on their owners for their daily needs.
If children are helping care for guinea pigs, an adult family member should always remain responsible for their overall health, safety, and wellbeing.
Here's what you need to know before welcoming guinea pigs into your home.
Natural selection
If you've decided to welcome guinea pigs into your family, there are a few things to consider when choosing your new pets.
Look for guinea pigs that are active and alert, with clean coats, bright eyes, and no unusual discharge around their noses, ears, or mouths.
It's also worth considering their coat type. Short-haired guinea pigs generally require less grooming, while long-haired breeds need regular brushing to prevent tangles and matting.
Guinea pigs are highly social animals that thrive in the company of their own kind, so it's important to keep them with at least one compatible companion.
Suitable pairings may include two females, compatible males, or a desexed male with one or more females.
Although male guinea pigs can sometimes be territorial, many bonded male pairs live together happily when provided with enough space and appropriate resources.
If you're introducing unfamiliar guinea pigs, take things slowly and monitor their interactions carefully.
It's also important to prevent unwanted breeding by keeping males and females separate unless they're appropriately desexed.
My hutch, my castle
Guinea pigs need a spacious, secure enclosure with plenty of room to move, explore, and display their natural behaviours.
While a traditional hutch can provide a sheltered sleeping area, it shouldn't be their entire living space.
Instead, aim to provide a large enclosure with comfortable resting areas, hiding places, and enough room for exercise.
If your guinea pigs live outdoors, their enclosure should be secure, predator-proof, and protected from extreme weather.
Position it in a quiet, sheltered location away from direct sunlight, strong winds, and heavy rain.
Guinea pigs are sensitive to temperature extremes, particularly excessive heat, so it's important to provide plenty of shade and ventilation during warmer weather.
In winter, make sure their enclosure remains warm, dry, and protected from draughts. Bringing them into a suitable indoor environment may be necessary during particularly cold conditions.
Avoid housing guinea pigs in garages where they may be exposed to vehicle exhaust fumes or other harmful chemicals.
Clean, comfortable bedding is another essential part of their housing.
Choose soft, absorbent, guinea pig-safe bedding, such as suitable paper-based products or low-dust bedding designed for small animals.
Avoid fine sawdust, scented bedding, and wood products treated with chemicals or preservatives, as these may irritate your guinea pigs' respiratory systems.
Spot-clean their enclosure daily to remove soiled bedding and droppings, and carry out more thorough cleaning regularly.
Eating like a (guinea) pig
Guinea pigs are herbivores, meaning they eat a plant-based diet.
Their digestive systems rely on a high-fibre diet, so unlimited good-quality grass hay should make up the majority of what they eat.
Fresh, clean drinking water should also be available at all times.
If your guinea pigs have access to grass, make sure it's free from pesticides, fertilisers, and contamination from other animals.
Never feed lawn clippings, as these can ferment quickly and cause digestive problems.
Alongside hay, guinea pigs need a daily supply of fresh vegetables and a measured amount of high-quality guinea pig pellets.
Suitable vegetables include:
- Capsicum
- Cos lettuce
- Coriander
- Cucumber
- Small amounts of broccoli
- Suitable leafy greens
Guinea pigs have a particularly important nutritional requirement: they cannot produce their own vitamin C.
That's why it's essential to provide vitamin C through their diet, including suitable vegetables and guinea pig-specific pellets containing added vitamin C.
Small amounts of fruit can also be offered occasionally as a treat, but avoid feeding too much because of the sugar content.
When introducing new foods, do so gradually to avoid digestive upset.
Guinea pigs also have continuously growing teeth, making unlimited hay particularly important for healthy dental wear.
Safe chew toys can provide additional enrichment, but they shouldn't replace a high-fibre diet.
Hot tip: Guinea pig pellets aren't the same as rabbit pellets! Always choose food specifically formulated for guinea pigs to help ensure they receive the nutrients they need, including vitamin C.
Play it safe
Just like other pets, guinea pigs need plenty of opportunities to exercise and play to stay happy and healthy.
A spacious enclosure with room to run, explore, and hide is essential, but you can also provide a secure exercise area for additional enrichment.
If you're allowing your guinea pigs to explore indoors, make sure the space is properly guinea pig-proofed.
Block access to electrical cords, toxic plants, small gaps, and other potential hazards.
Always supervise playtime and keep cats, dogs, and other pets safely separated.
Guinea pigs naturally seek shelter when they feel frightened or overwhelmed, so providing plenty of hiding places is important.
Simple enrichment ideas include:
- Cardboard tunnels and boxes
- Guinea pig-safe wooden chew toys
- Hideaways with multiple entrances
- Hay-filled foraging toys
- Suitable tunnels and obstacle courses
You can also create a cosy hideaway by draping a towel over part of their enclosure, provided it's secure and allows adequate ventilation.
Avoid exercise wheels and balls, as these can place unnecessary strain on guinea pigs' bodies and may cause injury.
Always choose toys without sharp edges, loose parts, or materials that could be harmful if swallowed.
Good grooming
Guinea pigs are naturally clean animals that spend time grooming themselves.
However, they still need some help maintaining a healthy coat, particularly if they have long hair.
Unlike some other small pets, guinea pigs generally don't require routine bathing.
Bathing too frequently can cause stress and strip natural oils from their skin and coat.
If your guinea pig becomes particularly dirty or has a medical condition requiring bathing, speak with your vet about the most appropriate products and techniques.
Long-haired guinea pigs need regular brushing to prevent knots and matting.
You may also need to carefully maintain the hair around their rear end to prevent bedding and droppings from becoming trapped.
Short-haired guinea pigs generally require less frequent grooming, but gentle brushing is still a great opportunity to check their skin and coat.
Regular grooming also gives you the chance to look for lumps, irritated skin, hair loss, or other changes that may need veterinary attention.
Your guinea pig's nails will also need regular checking and occasional trimming.
If you're unsure how to trim their nails safely, ask your vet to demonstrate the correct technique.
Making friends
Guinea pigs can be shy little creatures, particularly when they're adjusting to a new environment.
However, with patience and gentle interactions, many become comfortable around their owners and enjoy being petted.
Approach your guinea pig slowly and calmly, allowing them to see and hear you before attempting to interact.
Take note of where they enjoy being stroked, as every guinea pig has their own preferences.
Some may enjoy gentle scratches around their head or behind their ears, while others prefer interacting without being picked up.
If you need to lift your guinea pig, place one hand underneath their chest and use the other to support their hindquarters.
Hold them securely and close to your body to help them feel safe.
Never pick a guinea pig up by the scruff of their neck or allow their back legs to dangle unsupported.
Because guinea pigs are delicate animals, children should always be supervised when handling them.
With plenty of patience, positive interactions, and appropriate companionship, your guinea pigs can become wonderful family pets.
Health check
Guinea pigs can be good at hiding signs of illness, so it's important to monitor their behaviour, appetite, and general condition regularly.
Here are a few potential health concerns to watch out for.
Parasites
If your guinea pig is scratching excessively, losing fur, or developing irritated skin, they may have mites, lice, or another skin condition.
Parasites can cause significant discomfort and may require veterinary treatment.
Avoid using over-the-counter parasite powders or shampoos without veterinary advice, as some products aren't suitable for guinea pigs.
Digestive problems
Guinea pigs need a high-fibre diet to support healthy digestion.
Insufficient hay, sudden dietary changes, or unsuitable foods can contribute to digestive upset.
Signs of digestive problems may include diarrhoea, bloating, reduced appetite, or fewer droppings than usual.
If your guinea pig stops eating or producing droppings, seek veterinary attention immediately. These can be signs of gastrointestinal stasis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Watery diarrhoea also requires urgent veterinary attention.
Vitamin C deficiency
Guinea pigs need a daily dietary source of vitamin C because they can't produce it themselves.
A deficiency can lead to scurvy, which may cause symptoms such as lethargy, joint pain, poor appetite, and difficulty moving.
Help prevent vitamin C deficiency by feeding appropriate fresh vegetables and high-quality guinea pig pellets formulated with vitamin C.
If you're concerned about your guinea pig's vitamin C intake, speak with your vet before adding supplements.
Flystrike
Flystrike occurs when flies lay eggs on an animal, often around areas contaminated with urine or faeces. When the eggs hatch, the maggots can cause severe tissue damage.
Guinea pigs with soiled coats, reduced mobility, or difficulty grooming may be at greater risk.
Flystrike is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary treatment.
Regularly checking your guinea pig's rear end and keeping their enclosure clean and dry can help reduce the risk.
Respiratory infections
Guinea pigs are susceptible to respiratory infections, which can become serious if left untreated.
Signs may include:
- Sneezing
- Nasal or eye discharge
- Noisy or difficult breathing
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
Respiratory infections can have several causes, including infectious agents and environmental factors.
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet promptly. Difficulty breathing requires emergency veterinary attention.
Note: This guide covers some common guinea pig health concerns, but it's not an exhaustive list. If you're worried about your guinea pig's health or notice unusual behaviour, seek advice from a veterinarian experienced in treating small animals.
Fascinating facts
- Guinea pigs originally come from South America.
- Guinea pigs have been domesticated for thousands of years.
- Male guinea pigs are called boars, females are sows, and babies are known as pups.
- There are several different breeds of guinea pig, with a variety of coat lengths, colours, and textures.
- Guinea pigs communicate using a range of sounds, including squeaks, purrs, chirps, and grunts.
- Unlike many other rodents, guinea pigs are born with fur and their eyes open.
- Guinea pigs have a tiny, almost invisible tail structure.
- Guinea pigs typically live for around five to eight years, although some live longer with appropriate care.
Get ready to welcome your guinea pigs
Thinking about adding guinea pigs to your family? Explore Petstock's range of small animal supplies to find everything you need, from spacious housing and bedding to nutritious food, hay, toys, and enrichment essentials.