Guinea Pig Advice

Guinea pigs are curious, like to see what’s going on and have a sensitive hearing, so they are usually happiest outdoors but can also live inside a quiet home.

As guinea pigs are naturally grazing animals, it’s important that they always have quality, bagged, non-dusty hay to keep their digestive systems working, along with a small amount guinea pig mix. We recommend that they are fed a complete pellet as with maize food they do tend to only choose the bits they want which mean their diet would not be balanced. They also need some fruit and vegetables to give them a source of vitamin C because guinea pigs lack the enzyme to produce this themselves. Melons, oranges and dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale and cabbage are all good sources, but too much of the same thing can cause problems, so a variety is important. Never give your guinea pig lettuce as this can cause diarrhoea. Hay and vegetables are just as important as guinea pig mix so don’t rely solely on mix to feed your pet. Hay or grass should make up the majority of their diet.

Put food in bowls which are hard to tip over, or bowls that clip on to the front of the hutch. Clean, fresh water from a gravity bottle or bowl must be available at all times and changed every day. Do not give guinea pigs rabbit food because they have different nutritional requirements. Guinea pigs can become obese if they are fed too much.

Guinea pigs can live happily outside all year round but it is important to ensure they don’t overheat in the summer or freeze in the winter.

Guinea pigs require a lot of space to run and hop. At the rescue centre we will only rehome to homes where the accommodation meets our minimum housing requirements, this is includes how much space for an outside area, how much space for a bed area and what the accommodation is made of as it must be fox proof. Please click below for more information on guinea pig accommodation requirements.

Guinea pigs should be kept in secure accommodation outside or can be kept as house guinea pigs. Even with house guinea pigs it is a good idea to allow guinea pigs access to grass to graze on and natural sunlight.

Guinea pigs do like to chew so whether they live inside or outside. Their accommodation must be ‘guinea pig-proofed’ so that they can’t chew or eat anything dangerous – or valuable!

Some guinea pigs can be very tidy indoors as with a litter tray and encouragement many of them can be litter trained!

A healthy guinea pig is alert, with bright eyes and a good coat. One of the most common problems in guinea pigs is bumblefoot, where the foot becomes swollen due to a bacterial infection, often caused by dirty bedding. They are also prone to eye problems, so it is important to use dust-free bedding. Other conditions to watch out for include mange (itchy skin), dental problems caused by not enough fibre or vitamin C and obesity from being fed too many treats. Skin problems are common in guinea pigs. If you have any concerns about your guinea pig’s health, seek your vet’s advice.

Grooming is a vital part of the routine care of guinea pigs. Long-haired varieties need daily grooming as their coats can quickly become matted and uncomfortable. Female guinea pigs reach sexual maturity at four to five weeks old and males at eight to nine weeks. Do not be tempted to allow your guinea pigs to breed, as there are risks associated with pregnancy and birth. Females that do not breed by the age of six to eight months can become pregnant, but they are physically unable to give birth as the pelvic bones fuse by this age, this can be fatal to the female. Male guinea pigs should be neutered if you want to keep them as a pair with a female without breeding. At the rescue centre we encourage same sex pairing with guinea pigs.

Provide your guinea pigs with as much floor space as possible, our minimum housing requirement is 15-16 sq.ft.  part of this can be an outdoor run accessible from the hutch so they can graze. They can be allowed to run free indoors under supervision. Make sure all doors are closed, there are no escape holes and that cats and dogs are kept out of the room. You can read more about guinea pig accommodation here (LINK)

Guinea pigs are not usually very interested in toys but some enjoy exploring cardboard boxes and running through tubes or pipes. You could also try hiding small amounts of food around the cage to help keep your guinea pigs alert and active.

Your guinea pig should never be alone and only have other guinea pigs as companions. Never keep guinea pigs in the same hutch or run as rabbits, as there is a risk the guinea pigs will be bullied and seriously injured, they also have different dietary needs. The best combination is a pair or small group of the same sex, although neutered males and females may get along.

Guinea pigs are friendly and most are happy to be handled once they have got used to their new surroundings. Always use both hands to pick up a guinea pig. Place one hand across their shoulders with your thumb tucked behind the shoulder and fingers wrapped around the ribs. Hold tightly enough to be secure without squeezing and place your other hand underneath the hindquarters for support. Hold the guinea pig close to your body or sit down and put them on your lap so they feel secure. Guinea pigs are often easier to handle and interact with for children compared to rabbits.

Guinea pigs can make good pets for adults or children. As guinea pigs are active during the day, you can have lots of fun just watching them.

They communicate vocally and different noises have different meanings. A cooing sound gives reassurance, while a squeak can be a warning – a sign that the guinea pig is frightened or anticipation that food is coming! They’re unhappy when left alone in a hutch in the garden because they need company.

Guinea pigs are gentle animals and make good children’s pets but you need to think about the fact that they have quite a long lifespan. They can live as long as seven years, so they might outlive a child’s interest. This is why it is important that the adults in the household share the children’s interest in the guinea pig. As with all small pets, an adult needs to be responsible for ensuring that the children provide the correct care and attention.