How to Care for a Pet Guinea Pig: Behavior, Diet, Housing, Health & Essential Tips

Guinea pigs are gentle, social, and highly expressive small animals that make wonderful companions especially for first-time exotic-pet owners. Yet, despite their popularity, many people underestimate their care needs.

This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about behavior, diet, housing, grooming, health, and enrichment to help your guinea pig live a long, healthy, and happy life.

Whether you’re adopting your first pair or improving care for your current pets, this article gives you expert, research-backed advice you can trust.

Guinea Pig Behavior & Temperament

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are prey animals, which means their behavior is shaped by caution, routine, and strong social bonds. Understanding how they communicate can help you build trust and reduce stress.

Personality Traits

• Gentle, shy, and rarely aggressive
• Highly social—they must live with at least one other guinea pig
• Intelligent and very food-motivated
• Thrive on routine and predictable daily care

Unlike hamsters or gerbils, guinea pigs are not climbers or jumpers. They prefer ground-level exploration, tunnels, and cozy hideouts.

Social Nature & Same-Sex Pairing

Veterinary and welfare organizations such as the RSPCA recommend housing guinea pigs in pairs or groups. Same-sex pairing (male–male or female–female) prevents unwanted pregnancies and is considered best practice.

If adopting males, choose already bonded pairs or siblings raised together to reduce territorial behaviors.

Handling & Bonding

Guinea pigs are easily startled but bond deeply over time with consistent, gentle handling. Good practices include:

• Scoop from underneath the chest and hindquarters
• Hold securely against your chest
• Offer vegetables during or after handling to create positive associations

New guinea pigs may freeze, hide, or vocalize when touched—this is normal prey behavior and improves with routine.

Vocalizations

Guinea pigs use a wide range of vocal cues:

• Wheeking: High-pitched begging or excitement
• Purring: Contentment (low rumble) or irritation (higher, tense purr)
• Chutting: Relaxed exploration
• Chattering: Warning or annoyance

Learning their sounds helps you respond to their emotional needs.

Daily Activity Patterns

Guinea pigs are crepuscular, meaning most active at dawn and dusk. They eat frequently up to 60 small meals throughout the day.

Size, Growth, and Lifespan

Average Adult Size

• Length: 8–12 inches
• Weight:
  • Males (boars): 900–1,200 g
  • Females (sows): 700–900 g

Growth Timeline

• 0–8 weeks: Rapid growth, still developing immune system
• 2–6 months: Adolescence; may show dominance behaviors
• 6–12 months: Reach adult size
• 1+ years: Fully mature; weight stabilizes

Lifespan

Most guinea pigs live 5–7 years, though some live up to 8–10 years with excellent veterinary care and proper diet (especially vitamin C intake).

Proper Housing Requirements

Guinea pigs require more space than most people expect. According to the Humane Society, sufficient space dramatically improves lifespan, mobility, and mental health.

Minimum Cage Size

For 2 guinea pigs:

• 7.5 sq ft minimum (30″ × 50″)
• Larger is always better: 10–12 sq ft is ideal

C&C cages (cubes & coroplast) are highly recommended because they:

• Provide excellent ventilation
• Allow customizable sizes
• Have a safe, smooth base
• Are easy to clean

Avoid small pet-store cages they are usually too small.

Cage Type & Features

Your guinea pig’s environment must include:

• A solid plastic or coroplast base (never wire flooring)
• A wire top or open-top design for airflow
• Hideouts (at least two per guinea pig)
• Chew toys to wear down teeth
• Tunnels, ramps, and platforms (not high, since pigs cannot climb well)
• Food area + hay rack + water bottle

Safe Cage Placement

Put the cage in:

• A quiet, draft-free room
• Away from direct sunlight
• Away from loud TVs or barking dogs
• A space where they can see and hear you

Guinea pigs are sensitive to heat; keep temperatures between 65–75°F (18–24°C).

Substrate & Bedding Needs

Recommended Bedding

Use:

• Paper-based bedding (e.g., Carefresh)
• Kiln-dried pine (safe after resin removal)
• Aspen shavings
• Fleece + absorbent pads (washed regularly)

Avoid

• Cedar or non–kiln-dried pine (toxic aromatic oils)
• Corn cob bedding (mold risk & choking)
• Cat litter (dusty, unsafe if eaten)

Cleaning Frequency

• Daily: Remove wet spots + replace soiled bedding
• Weekly: Full bedding change, wash cage base
• Fleece setups: Change every 2–4 days

Cleanliness prevents respiratory disease and foot problems.

Diet — What Guinea Pigs Eat & Drink

Guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems, and a proper diet is crucial for long-term health.

1. Unlimited Timothy Hay (Essential)

Hay is 90% of their diet and provides:

• Essential fiber
• Dental wear
• Gut motility

Young guinea pigs (<6 months) can have alfalfa hay, but adults require timothy hay or orchard grass.

2. Pellets with Vitamin C

Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C, so pellets must be fortified.

Recommended amount:

• 1/8 cup per guinea pig per day

Choose pellets that:

• Contain stabilized vitamin C
• Are plain (no colorful pieces or seeds)
• Are made for guinea pigs, not rabbits

3. Fresh Vegetables

Give 1 cup of vegetables per guinea pig per day, divided between:

Daily staples:

• Romaine lettuce
• Green leaf lettuce
• Bell peppers (excellent vitamin C source)
• Cilantro
• Cucumber

Vitamin C boosters:

• Parsley
• Kale (in moderation)
• Broccoli leaves

4. Fruits (Occasional Treats)

Give only 1–2 times per week due to sugar content:

• Apple slices
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Orange segments

5. Fresh Water

Use a hanging water bottle, cleaned daily.

Common Feeding Mistakes

Avoid:

• Iceberg lettuce (low nutrients)
• Seeds and nuts (choking risk)
• Human foods
• Rabbit pellets (lack vitamin C)
• Overfeeding sugary fruits

Common Health Issues

Guinea pigs hide illness well. Early detection saves lives.

1. Eye Infections

Symptoms:

• Redness
• Discharge
• Squinting

Causes: hay pokes, dust, bedding irritation, bacterial infection.
See a vet if symptoms persist beyond 24 hours.

2. Diarrhea

Can indicate:

• Dietary excess (lettuce/fruits)
• Parasites
• Bacterial infection
• Antibiotic sensitivity (many antibiotics are toxic to guinea pigs)

Diarrhea is an emergency in guinea pigs—seek veterinary help.

3. Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)

Symptoms:

• Weakness
• Swollen joints
• Poor coat
• Lethargy

Vitamin C must be supplemented through pellets and vegetables daily.

4. Dental Problems

Guinea pig teeth grow continuously. Overgrowth causes:

• Drooling
• Weight loss
• Difficulty eating
• Mouth pain

Unlimited hay is the best prevention.

5. Respiratory Infections

Signs:

• Labored breathing
• Clicking sounds
• Nasal discharge
• Loss of appetite

Respiratory illness is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary care.

When to See a Vet

Contact an exotic vet if your guinea pig:

• Stops eating for more than 6 hours
• Loses weight
• Has diarrhea
• Has trouble breathing
• Shows lethargy
• Bleeds
• Has lumps or swelling

Always consult an exotic-pet veterinarian for concerns specific to your guinea pig.

Training & Daily Enrichment

Litter Training

Guinea pigs naturally choose bathroom corners. You can:

• Add a litter tray with paper pellets
• Place hay near or inside litter box
• Reward correct use with vegetables

Success varies by pig.

Daily Exercise & Floor Time

Give 1–2 hours of supervised floor time daily in a guinea pig–safe area. Add:

• Tunnels
• Hideouts
• Cardboard boxes
• Cloth tunnels
• Foraging mats

Mental Stimulation

Provide:

• Chew toys
• Paper bags
• Willow sticks
• Treat puzzles
• Scatter-feeding vegetables

Guinea pigs thrive on exploration and gentle enrichment.

Grooming & Routine Care

Brushing

• Short-haired breeds: Weekly
• Long-haired breeds: Daily to prevent mats

Nail Trimming

Trim every 3–4 weeks. Use small pet nail clippers.

Bathing

Guinea pigs rarely need baths. Over-bathing can cause:

• Skin dryness
• Stress
• Temperature shock

Bath only if medically necessary (e.g., severe urine scald).

Routine Checks

Every week, check for:

• Overgrown teeth
• Excessive weight loss
• Ear wax
• Hair mats
• Skin flakes
• Abnormal lumps

Expected Costs of Owning a Guinea Pig

Startup Costs

• Large C&C cage: $60–120
• Hideouts & tunnels: $20–50
• Bowls, bottles, hay racks: $20–40
• Bedding: $20–40
• First vet exam: $50–100

Monthly Costs

• Hay: $15–25
• Pellets: $8–12
• Vegetables: $20–40
• Bedding: $20–40

Potential Veterinary Costs

• Dental trimming: $50–150
• URI treatment: $100–200
• Emergency visit: $100–300+

Guinea pigs are long-term, moderately expensive pets.

Pros & Cons of Guinea Pig Ownership

Pros

• Friendly, gentle personalities
• Rarely bite
• Easy to bond with
• Long lifespan for a small pet
• Fun vocalizations and behaviors

Cons

• Require daily cleaning
• Sensitive to heat and stress
• Vet care can be expensive
• Produce a lot of waste
• Must live in pairs (greater cost + space)

Adoption or Purchasing Tips

Choosing a Healthy Guinea Pig

Look for:

• Bright eyes
• Clean nose
• No wheezing
• Good weight
• Smooth coat
• Curious behavior

Avoid guinea pigs that show:

• Lethargy
• Crusty eyes
• Labored breathing
• Bald patches
• Diarrhea
• Visible injuries

Where to Adopt or Buy

Best sources:

• Local rescues
• Guinea pig shelters
• Reputable hobby breeders

Avoid:

• Impulse pet-store purchases
• Breeders who cannot sex guinea pigs correctly

Avoiding Accidental Pregnancy

Female guinea pigs can become pregnant as early as 4 weeks old.
Always verify sex before bonding new pigs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do guinea pigs need a friend?

Yes, they are herd animals and should be kept in same-sex pairs or groups.

2. How often should I clean the cage?

Spot-clean daily; fully clean weekly (more often for fleece bedding).

3. Can guinea pigs eat carrots every day?

No. Carrots are high in sugar give only 2–3 times per week.

4. What’s the best hay for guinea pigs?

Timothy hay for adults; alfalfa is only for young, pregnant, or nursing guinea pigs.

5. How often do guinea pigs need vet checkups?

At least once per year, or immediately if showing signs of illness.

6. Can guinea pigs live outside?

No, it exposes them to heatstroke, predators, and respiratory issues.

Conclusion

Caring for a guinea pig involves far more than providing basic food and shelter. These sensitive, social animals need companionship, space, proper nutrition, routine grooming, and veterinary oversight to thrive.

By understanding their natural behaviors and meeting their emotional and physical needs, you can enjoy a strong, joyful bond with your guinea pigs for many years to come. Responsible, informed care is the key to giving them the healthy, enriched life they deserve.