Guinea Pig Care Guide: Diet, Housing & Health Essentials

Guinea pigs are social, vocal rodents with unique care requirements. They live 5-7 years on average and need daily attention, fresh food, and companionship. Here's everything you need to know.

Guinea Pigs Need Companions

Guinea pigs are herd animals. In Switzerland, it's illegal to own just one. They need at least one same-sex companion or a spayed/neutered opposite-sex pair. Single guinea pigs develop behavioral problems and depression — it's not negotiable.

Diet: Vitamin C Is Critical

Guinea pigs, like humans, cannot synthesize their own vitamin C. Without dietary vitamin C, they develop scurvy (swollen joints, rough coat, anorexia, death). Requirements: 10-30 mg vitamin C daily (30-50 mg for pregnant/nursing sows). Best sources: fresh bell peppers (red is highest), kale, parsley, broccoli, and vitamin C-fortified guinea pig pellets. Vitamin C degrades quickly — water drops are ineffective after 8 hours. Feed fresh vegetables daily, not just once. Hay: unlimited timothy or orchard grass hay (same as rabbits). Not alfalfa for adults (too much calcium). Pellets: 1/8 cup per day of timothy-based guinea pig pellets (not rabbit pellets — they lack vitamin C). Fresh vegetables: 1 cup daily of mixed leafy greens and vitamin C-rich vegetables. Fruits: occasional treat only — high sugar content.

Housing and Space

Minimum cage size for 2 guinea pigs: 7.5 square feet (30" x 36" or 76 x 91 cm). Bigger is always better. C&C cages (coroplast and wire cube grids) are popular and customizable. Never use glass aquariums — poor ventilation causes ammonia buildup and respiratory disease. Solid flooring (not wire mesh — causes bumblefoot). Soft bedding: fleece liners (washable, popular) or paper-based bedding (not cedar/pine shavings — aromatic oils are toxic). Spot-clean daily, deep-clean weekly.

Common Health Problems

Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency): swollen painful joints, reluctance to move, rough coat, bleeding gums. Preventable with proper diet. Dental disease: guinea pig teeth grow continuously. Malocclusion (misaligned teeth) leads to overgrowth, inability to eat, and starvation. Signs: drooling, dropping food, weight loss, wet chin. Hay is essential for tooth wear. Respiratory infections: signs include nasal discharge, crusty eyes, labored breathing, weight loss. Often caused by Bordetella (carried by rabbits — don't house them together) or Streptococcus. URI in guinea pigs is always an emergency. Bumblefoot (pododermatitis): ulcerated, infected foot pads from wire flooring, poor hygiene, or obesity. Prevention: solid flooring and clean bedding. GI stasis: same as rabbits — the gut stops moving. An emergency requiring immediate vet care. Ovarian cysts: very common in female guinea pigs over 2 years old. Signs: bilateral symmetrical flank hair loss, crusty nipples, abdominal distension.

Handling and Socialization

Guinea pigs are prey animals and startle easily. Support their entire body — one hand under chest, one under hindquarters. Never pick up by the scruff. Talk softly, move slowly. Most guinea pigs learn to enjoy lap time but need a towel underneath (they pee when they need to). Floor time in a guinea pig-proofed room is important for exercise and mental stimulation.

When to See a Vet

Guinea pigs are exotic pets that need a vet experienced with small mammals. Seek care for: not eating for 12+ hours (GI stasis risk), weight loss, labored breathing, not defecating, drooling or dropping food, limping, crusty eyes or nose, hair loss, or any behavior change. Find an exotic vet before you need one.