Guinea pigs
Owning a guinea pig as a pet can be a wonderful experience for animal lovers. These adorable little creatures are social and friendly, and they have a gentle and docile nature that makes them great companions. Guinea pigs are also relatively easy to care for, requiring a clean and comfortable living space, a healthy diet of fresh vegetables and hay, and regular interaction and playtime with their owners. They require less space than a rabbit and so can be a good alternative for people who don’t have the space for a rabbit. They can live up to 8 years and will need attention every day, so it's important to be prepared for the long-term commitment of owning a pet. Overall, guinea pigs can make fantastic pets for those who are looking for a loving and playful companion.
What next?
View the information below to learn the essentials for owning a pet guinea pig.
Take the test, and when you have passed, you will receive a certificate to show to your pet shop and prove your knowledge.
Information for owning a pet guinea pig
The Pet Know How tests are designed to test your basic knowledge of keeping a pet of your choice. They will help you understand the needs of the animal and some of the important things you need to consider if you were to have one as a pet. Once you complete a test you won’t be an expert keeper but you will be in a better position to make an informed decision and decide if you are able, and willing, to take on the responsibility.
In this section, you will find a wealth of knowledge compiled by pet experts to provide you with the valuable information you need regarding owning a pet guinea pig.
Work your way through all the sections, and when you feel ready, register yourself to take the test and earn a certificate that proves your guinea pig knowledge.
Introduction
Guinea pigs can be excellent pets due to their hardy nature and typically live for approximately 4-8 years.
Guinea pigs are social animals and should not be kept on their own. It is recommended to keep guinea pigs in same sex pairs (although males kept together may fight), or in small groups of one male and a group of females. The males should be neutered to prevent unwanted breeding.
Pet guinea pigs can be kept indoors or in an outside hutch. Although they are naturally nervous creatures, they soon become used to gentle handling.
DID YOU KNOW? Guinea pigs originate from Peru, where they roam the countryside in family groups.
General care
Grooming your guinea pigs helps to keep them healthy while also allowing you to bond with your pet. How you groom your pet will depend on whether your guinea pig is short or long-haired. A long-haired guinea pig will need grooming with suitable coat care equipment, which your pet shop will be able to advise on. Short-haired guinea pigs will also benefit from regular brushing.
Your guinea pigs’ nails will require regular clipping, which you will need special small animal nail clippers for. Your pet shop or vet will be able to advise or do this for you if you do not feel comfortable.
Guinea pigs are prey animals so they hide their symptoms as much as possible when ill, if you are concerned about your guinea pigs’ health or behaviour, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Choosing your Guinea Pigs
There are three basic types of guinea gig – smooth-haired, coated and long-haired. The smooth-haired types include Selfs and Marked and Ticked, the coated types include Abyssinians, Rex's, Teddies, Crested and long-haired types include Peruvians, Alpacas and Shelties.
Whichever type you choose, your guinea pigs should be at least six weeks old when you buy them.
A healthy guinea pig should.....
Be bright and alert
Have no signs of discharge from eyes, ears, mouth and nose
Have a clear anal area, and be producing firm oval shape droppings
Have a glossy coat with no bald patches and not have sores on the skin
Move around the cage easily
Feel well covered and not bony
Show no signs of drooling, which may indicate dental disease or abnormal tooth growth.
Housing
Guinea pigs should be provided with as large a cage as possible. A hutch for outdoors should be sturdy and water-proof. It should be raised off the floor by about 25 cm and placed in a sheltered position or inside a shed. Guinea pigs must be protected from inclement weather as well as strong sunlight. A waterproof hutch cover will offer added protection on cold nights.
If you decide to keep your guinea pigs indoors, then a cage similar, but much larger than those used for hamsters, is suitable. The minimum recommended space for a pair of Guinea Pigs is 120 x 60cm, but more space is desirable. Male pairs benefit from larger housing to minimise the risk of rivalry. Accommodation should avoid direct sunlight and draughts.
A hutch or cage should have a layer of shavings on the floor. Avoid Pine and Cedar based shaving which may be associated with skin or respiratory irritation. There should be plenty of hay provided for bedding and food. A hay rack can be provided for the Guinea Pigs to feed from. You should also provide wooden toys, tubes, plastic bell balls and huts in their cage to prevent boredom.
Garden access
All guinea pigs benefit from access to a covered pen or run in the garden.
Avoid using pesticides nearby and ensure that the enclosure is secure enough to keep the guinea pig in as well as other animals out.
An outdoor run should be moved regularly to allow for a fresh supply of grass.
Guinea Pigs can also be exercised indoors in a pen, or by allowing them to roam. Never leave them unattended though and always ensure that they cannot escape, are safe from other pets such as dogs and cats and that hazards such as electrical cables or poisonous plants are made safe.
Hygiene
Hygiene is extremely important especially in the summer. If not kept clean the hutch or cage will attract flies.
As a general rule, cages should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week.
A good quality, pet-friendly disinfectant should be used and all the bedding and shavings replaced with a fresh supply.
Handling
It is advisable to let your new guinea pigs settle in for a few days before you start handling them.
Regular gentle handling for short periods each day will help your Guinea Pig become accustomed to being held, strengthen their bond with you and to remain calm. Start for short periods and gradually extend the time as they become used to it. Giving them treats whilst holding them will help build a positive association with being held.
Using smooth and gentle movements, reach under your guinea pig’s belly, place your other hand underneath the back legs and lift.
Hold the guinea pig close to your body as this will make him feel more secure, which prevents kicking.
Food and water
Guinea pigs are herbivores and must have vitamin C in their diet. Commercial foods may be supplemented with vitamin C, but levels will decline if the food is stored above 22 degrees centigrade. Food should be stored in an airtight container in a cool place for a maximum of 1 month.
Guinea Pigs should be fed on commercially-produced guinea pig pellets, with access to unlimited fresh feeding hay. Do not change your guinea pigs’ commercial feed suddenly, as it can cause fatal digestive upsets. A change in food should be done over a period of at least two weeks. Care should be taken not to over feed guinea pig pellets as this could lead to obesity and teeth overgrowth.
A fresh supply of good quality hay every day is essential for the health of the digestive system and to wear teeth down. It is also good to feed your guinea pigs small amounts of fresh foods. Sprouts, broccoli, parsley, dandelions, chicory, carrots, and apple are all suitable – but do not over feed. Guinea pigs need to be provided with daily vitamin C, which can be found in broccoli, carrots and commercial feed.
Fresh water should be available at all times. Water is best provided in a gravity-fed bottle attached to the side of the cage, it should be emptied, rinsed and refilled daily.
Shopping list
Owning a pet is a financial as well as a moral responsibility. In order to properly care for a guinea pig the following items are essential and you should ensure that you are ready to commit to both the one-off and ongoing costs involved with having a pet.
Hutch/cage
Hay
Absorbent bedding
Run
Food bowls
Guinea pig food
Treats
Fresh vegetables
Brush and comb
Water bottle and brush
Book on guinea pig care
Pet code of practice
Owning a pet is a responsibility and owners must always ensure that they act in a way that ensures the best welfare for their pet and does not endanger the local ecosystem. Pet’s (companion animals) must never be released into the wild. It is illegal and for most species this will lead to an untimely and possibly lingering death, as they are not native to this country. Any animals or plants that do survive might become harmful to the environment. If you can no longer keep your pet then seek advice at a local pet store, rescue centre or specialist pet club.
Soiled substrate, cage décor and waste water, particularly from fish tanks or amphibian housing, should also be carefully disposed of or treated so that potentially harmful diseases or live food can’t escape into the wild.
Are you ready?
Now that you have made your way through the presentation, it’s time to take the test and move one step closer to proving your knowledge and receiving your certificate.
But first…
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