Whether you're a proud guinea pig owner, considering bringing one into your home, or simply curious about these adorable and captivating creatures, you've come to the right place. Our comprehensive resource page is designed to provide you with all the essential information you need to understand, care for, and appreciate guinea pigs as pets.

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are charming and sociable animals that have been domesticated for centuries. They have captured the hearts of countless people around the world with their affectionate nature, playful antics, and unique personalities. Get ready to embark on a journey into the captivating realm of guinea pigs where we invite you to explore everything you need to know to become a responsible and knowledgable guinea pig paw parent!

One of the most popular questions asked about guinea pigs is how long do we get to love on these adorable friends? Domestic guinea pigs usually live between 5-7 years. But some have lived much longer. A guinea pig named Snowball lived to be almost 15 years old! In the wild, guinea pigs usually live 1-4 years. This is because they are prey animals and sometimes live in harsh environments. Our domestic friends live a much more safe and stress-free life!

There are many factors that go into how long a guinea pig will live. Of course, feeding them a proper high-fibre diet and providing opportunities for exercise will help them live out their senior years. But some things are out of your control when it comes to how long your guinea pig will live

Hay should be the primary food for guinea pigs, with 2nd cutting Timothy hay and Orchard grass being ideal choices. Healthy adult guinea pigs need hay that is high in fibre and low in fat and protein. Alfalfa hay is used for baby guinea pigs as they need more protein while they’re growing. 2nd cutting Timothy hay and Orchard grass are your best options for hay that tick all the boxes for guinea pigs.

Want to learn more about what type of hay is right for you piggie? Check out this this Types of Hay Explained Guide.

Pellet food is a great supplement to hay and fresh food for guinea pigs. Just make sure you’re choosing a quality pellet without any fillers that is fortified with vitamin C. Pellet food should never take the place of hay or fresh food. Consider this a little bowl of vitamins to have available to fill in any nutritional gaps.

Although pellet food should have hay as the first ingredient, pellet food doesn’t give guinea pigs the same roughage that actual hay does. So they aren’t wearing their teeth down with it.

Guinea pigs are generally clean and rarely need baths. However, if they become smelly or dirty, a few baths a year are sufficient. Long-haired guinea pigs may require more frequent baths to prevent urine and tangles. When bathing, focus on areas that need cleaning, such as the bum, while allowing them to groom their own face.

Guinea pigs require regular nail trimming to prevent injury. Aim for at least once a month using guinea pig-specific clippers, as human clippers may not be suitable. Be cautious not to cut the quick, which contains blood vessels. Trimming frequently can help the quick recede, making future nail trims easier.

Encouraging your guinea pig to chew is vital for dental care. Providing unlimited hay ensures they get enough fiber and helps wear down their teeth naturally. Insufficient chewing can lead to overgrown, painful teeth, disrupting their ability to obtain essential nutrients.

Guinea pigs have delicate spines and need to be handled carefully. They should be held with all four feet facing the ground so their back isn’t twisted or hurt if they get startled. When they’re startled they may try to jump out of your arms so it’s best to hold them close to the floor. And close to you! Don’t hold them out away from your body. Keep them close and cosy where they’ll feel safe.

Guinea pigs can actually learn tricks and come when they’re called. They’re very smart animals! They aren’t very flexible so just make sure you aren’t encouraging them to hurt themselves. But you can teach them to come, stand up, or do a spin.
You teach a guinea pig the same way you teach a dog… with rewards! Have a command that you will consistently use. And reward consistently! You can encourage a cavy to stand by holding up a treat and you can of course get them running over to you by getting out treats.

Guinea pigs are usually very chatty vocal animals. They wheek, grunt, squeal, squeak and love to get your attention.
They’re usually gentle and not likely to bite but if they feel threatened or scared from being mishandled they will bite. Some guinea pigs are more fearful than others.
A guinea pig who shows some aggression can become calmer if their environment improves. Some guinea pigs need a little extra to help them feel safe and secure.

Guinea pigs may be active for 20 hours a day! That means they have a lot of time to get around their space and they need plenty of opportunities for exploration.

The minimum size for a guinea pig enclosure is 7.5 square feet (2 X 4 feet). However, we recommend a larger cage. When it comes to guinea pigs the bigger the better.

2 X 5 feet is the required cage size by a lot of guinea pig rescues and this gives your guinea pig a much better living space. This is a good size for 1-2 guinea pigs but as you would assume the larger your herd, the more space they will need!

There are a lot of options when you set up the enclosure using wire panels. This option allows you to buy more panels to make it larger and you can also have freedom with the shape so it can fit the space you have available.

Rabbits are of course larger than guinea pigs so they will need a bigger space. Both rabbits and guinea pigs are considered skittish animals, but in general a rabbit will warm up to you much quicker than a guinea pig. This makes rabbits easier to socialize.
Guinea pigs will sometimes nibble on your finger but they’re much less likely to become aggressive towards you than a rabbit is. So, a rabbit is more likely to be on either end of the spectrum (friendly vs aggressive) depending on its environment.
It’s common to get rabbits spayed/neutered while less common for guinea pigs. However, when housing multiple genders of guinea pigs together you need to get the males neutered. This is something to keep in mind when thinking about the medical care your pet will need.