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Guinea Pig Care Sheet

Guinea Pig

Cavia porcellus

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.

Guinea pigs are social companion animals who require daily interaction. They are rodents who have an extensive vocabulary and communicate by vocalizing various sounds that have different meanings. One of the most unique behaviors they express is "popcorning," in which they jump and twirl in the air when they are very happy. There are both haired and hairless guinea pigs and more than 20 recognized breeds. 

guinea pig care sheet

Table of Contents

Typical guinea pig appearance and behavior

  • Easy to handle when properly socialized    
  • Guinea pigs prefer a routine with a similar time for playing, feeding and resting each day
  • Guinea pigs will hide in objects but will come out when people are near their habitat
  • Guinea pigs are an active and friendly pet but need time to acclimate to new environments and to be socialized
  • Their teeth are open-rooted and grow continuously throughout their life. They need to chew on hay, mineral chews and chew sticks, as well as toys and treats that encourage gnawing to wear down their teeth as they grow, or they may develop dental problems

Characteristics

Care Difficulty Good beginner pet for families
Average Life Span Up to 8 years with proper care
Average Adult Size 8-16 inches
Diet Herbivore
Minimum Habitat Size 36”L x 30”W x 18”H minimum (approximately 7.5 square feet per guinea pig)

Supplies

Guinea pig habitat 

Habitat size

A minimum 36"L x 30"W x 18"H escape-proof, well-ventilated habitat with a solid flooring to prevent foot sores from developing and plenty of room for exercise and play makes a good home for one guinea pig. Provide the largest habitat possible.

Building your habitat

Guinea pigs acclimate well to average household temperatures; environmental temperatures should not exceed 80°F, as guinea pigs are likely to overheat at high temperatures. The habitat should never be in direct sunlight or in a drafty area.

  • Bedding - 1-2 inches of bedding should be placed in the habitat. Proper bedding includes high-quality paper-based bedding, either commercially available shredded or pelleted paper bedding meant to absorb waste products. Paper-based products are preferred over wood bedding, as they are digestible if ingested. Ingested wood bedding can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction. Cedar-based products also contain oils that can irritate guinea pigs’ skin and respiratory tract
  • Décor - Guinea pigs should be provided with a hide box for privacy. Each guinea pig in a habitat should have their own hide. Commercially available hide boxes made from hard plastic, wood, edible materials or cardboard that is made to be chewed are acceptable as hiding boxes

Appropriately sized habitat

Bedding

Décor & Habitat Accessories

Chew toys

What Do Guinea Pigs Eat

A well-balanced guinea pig diet consists of:

  • High-quality pelleted food formulated specifically for guinea pigs and offered in limited quantities (about ¼ cup per day)
  • Unlimited amounts of timothy hay (or other grass hay such as orchard grass, oat or meadow hay)
    • Alfalfa hay contains higher amounts of calcium, fat and protein and is fine for young, growing guinea pigs, as well as for lactating and breeding guinea pigs, but should not be fed to adults except as an occasional treat. Excess alfalfa fed to adults can lead to obesity and the development of bladder stones 
  • Limited amounts of vegetables and fruits 
    • Leafy greens and bell peppers are great sources of vitamin C for guinea pigs. Small amounts of high-fiber fruits such as apples and pears may be given as treats occasionally as well. Excess fruit or pelleted food contains too much carbohydrate and can upset the normal balance of bacteria in guinea pigs’ intestinal tract.  It can also lead to diarrhea, bloating and decreased appetite
  • Since guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C in their bodies, they require 30 to 50 mg of vitamin C daily from high-quality pelleted food, vitamin C supplements and vegetables high in vitamin C
  • Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily, should be offered in a water bottle

Things to remember when feeding your guinea pig:

  • Fresh food, timothy or other grass hay and water should be offered daily and available throughout the day
  • Fresh vegetables with smaller amounts of fruit can be given daily but should not exceed 10% of their total diet
    • Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 10 hours should be discarded or they may become spoiled and can be a source of infection if consumed
  • Do not feed chocolate, caffeine or alcohol, as these are toxic to guinea pigs and can cause serious medical conditions and death. Avoid sugar and high-fat treats, as guinea pigs’ intestinal tracts are not adapted to digest these foods

Food & water bowls

Food

Treats

Hay

How to take care of your guinea pig

  • Guinea pigs stay clean and rarely need baths but can be spot-cleaned with a damp washcloth and unmedicated, mild soap (thoroughly rinsed off) or unscented baby wipes, if needed
  • Fur may be brushed with a soft brush. Long-haired guinea pigs should be brushed a few times per week to decrease hair ingestion and prevent tangles 
  • Hairless guinea pigs benefit from a small amount of nontoxic, aloe-based lotion rubbed onto their skin to help keep it soft
  • Guinea pigs need their nails clipped approximately once a month
  • While other rodents’ teeth are covered in yellow enamel, guinea pigs’ enamel should be white. Discolored teeth in guinea pigs should be examined by a veterinarian 
  • Consult a veterinarian if a guinea pig's teeth or nails seem too long or if they are salivating excessively or dropping food as they eat

Where to buy a guinea pig

Guinea pigs are available at Petco. Call your local location ahead of time to check availability. 

Habitat mates

Guinea pigs may be kept in same-sex pairs if they are raised together; otherwise, keep adult guinea pigs housed separately. Males and females should not be housed together unless the males are neutered or the females are spayed, as guinea pigs reproduce quickly after just a few months of age. Different species of small animals should not be housed together. In particular, rabbits and guinea pigs should never be housed together, as each carries bacteria in their respiratory tracts that can cause illness in the other one.

Guinea pig health

Signs of a healthy guinea pig

  • Active, alert and sociable
  • Eats and drinks regularly
  • Passes normal pelleted stool
  • Healthy fur and skin (not itchy, no hair loss)
  • Eyes, nose and mouth free of discharge (mucoid tear production is normal) 
  • Breathing is unlabored
  • Walks normally
  • Communicates by squeaking

Red flags (If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.)

  • Weight loss
  • Abnormal hair loss
  • Itchy, scabbed skin
  • Diarrhea or dirty bottom
  • Lack of fecal pellets
  • Distressed breathing
  • Lethargy
  • Eye or nasal discharge
  • Drooling
  • Skin lesions
  • Overgrown teeth
  • Labored breathing

Common Health Issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health Issue Diarrhea Symptoms or Causes Loose stool caused by poor diet (lack of fiber/too little hay/excess carbohydrate/too many pellets), stress, internal parasites, unclean housing or other illness. Suggested Action Consult a veterinarian to determine cause and treatment.
Health Issue Malocclusion Symptoms or Causes Overgrown teeth. Drooling, dropping food, inability to close mouth, weight loss. Suggested Action Consult a veterinarian to have teeth trimmed regularly.
Health Issue Mites/lice Symptoms or Causes External parasites can cause guinea pigs to lose patches of hair and be itchy. With mite infestation, mites bury under skin and cause intense itching and seizures. Suggested Action Consult a veterinarian for treatment. Thorough environmental disinfection and cleanup.
Health Issue Ringworm Symptoms or Causes Skin infection caused by fungus manifested as patchy hair loss and dry flaky skin, especially around the face and ears. Suggested Action Consult a veterinarian. Thorough environmental disinfection and cleanup.
Health Issue Scurvy Symptoms or Causes A disease caused by vitamin C deficiency resulting in poor appetite, sore joints, increased susceptibility to infection and chest and bleeding from the gums. Suggested Action If untreated, can be fatal.Consult a veterinarian immediately.
Health Issue Pneumonia Symptoms or Causes Discharge from eyes, nose. Difficulty breathing. Sneezing and coughing. Suggested Action Consult a veterinarian immediately.
Health Issue Pododermatitis (sore foot or bumblefoot) Symptoms or CausesRed skin, scabs or open sores on the bottom of feet. Lameness, pain when walking, lying down more often. Caused by dirty, damp habitat conditions, obesity. Suggested Action Consult a veterinarian. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the environment. Provide dry bedding. Ensure a balanced diet is provided.

FAQs 

  • How long do guinea pigs live? Guinea pigs can live up to 8 years with proper care.
  • What do guinea pigs eat? Pet guinea pigs should be offered high-quality pelleted food formulated specifically for guinea pigs (about ¼ cup per day). Unlimited amounts of timothy (or other grass hay (such as orchard grass, oat or meadow hay), and limited amounts of vegetables and fruits should also be provided. Leafy greens and bell peppers are great sources of vitamin C for guinea pigs.
  • Are guinea pigs nocturnal? Guinea pigs are crepuscular, meaning they are more active at dawn and dusk.
  • Where do guinea pigs come from? Guinea pigs, in nature, are found in Brazil, Peru and Argentina and are also called cavies. 
  • Are guinea pigs rodents? Guinea pigs are rodents. They are also highly social and communicative and make great pets.
  • Where can I buy a guinea pig? Petco sells both haired and hairless guinea pigs, although selection varies by location. Rescues and animal shelters also sometimes have guinea pigs for adoption. 
  • What do guinea pigs like? Guinea pigs like time outside of their habitat to socialize and exercise, wooden and cardboard toys to chew on, lots of hay, places to hide and occasional treats.
  • Do guinea pigs like to be held? A properly socialized guinea pig may enjoy being held and brushed. Care must be taken while holding as they can be easily injured if they fall or are dropped.

Notes and sources

Ask a Pet Care Center associate about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all small pets are potential carriers of infectious diseases such as ringworm, lymphocytic choriomeningitis and salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your small pet or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for small pets and should consider having a pet other than a guinea pig.

Go to the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about small animals and disease.

Note: The information in this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian.

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