Guinea Pig

• ExerciseLow

  Happy pottering around a roomy enclosure with things to explore.

• GroomingWeekly once-over

  A weekly check-over plus regular enclosure cleaning.

• Living spaceCompact setup

  The enclosure is their whole world — fits easily in any home.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment5–8 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Dental issues · Respiratory issues · Urinary stones

Guinea pigs (cavies) were domesticated in the Andes over 3,000 years ago and remain herd animals to the core — in most of Europe it is illegal to keep just one, and everywhere it is unkind. Keep at least a bonded pair (two females, or a neutered male with a female); adults weigh 0.7–1.2 kg and live 5–8 years, long for a rodent. They need floor space, not height: a minimum of about 0.7 m² for a pair, more is better, lined with hay and fleece or paper bedding — cavies don't climb or use deep burrows, so a large open pen suits them. They are ground-dwelling prey animals that never truly stop eating hay, and they "wheek" loudly for food and "popcorn" (jump for joy) when content. The non-negotiable is vitamin C: guinea pigs, like humans, cannot make their own and develop scurvy without a daily source — feed a fresh C-rich vegetable such as bell pepper daily alongside unlimited grass hay and a measured plain pellet. Watch continuously growing teeth (drooling or dropped weight signals dental trouble), respiratory infections, urinary stones and bumblefoot on wire or dirty flooring.

• How much activity does a Guinea Pig need?

  Low. Happy pottering around a roomy enclosure with things to explore.

• How much grooming does a Guinea Pig need?

  Weekly once-over. A weekly check-over plus regular enclosure cleaning.

• How much space does a Guinea Pig need?

  Compact setup. The enclosure is their whole world — fits easily in any home.

• Is a Guinea Pig a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Guinea Pig live?

  5–8 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Guinea Pig?

  Keep an eye out for Dental issues, Respiratory issues, Urinary stones. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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