Guinea Pigs as Pets

The guinea pig, also called a cavy, is a small, friendly rodent that has become one of the world’s favorite family pets. Despite its name, it is not a pig and does not come from Guinea; it comes from South America. Guinea pigs are gentle and chatty, but they need the right food, space, and company to stay healthy.

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Guinea pig
Scientific name	Cavia porcellus
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Rodentia
Family	Caviidae
Genus	Cavia
Type	Rodent (cavy)
Diet	Fresh vegetables, hay and pellets
Native range	Andes, South America
Size	20-25 cm (8-10 in) long
Weight	700-1,200 g (1.5-2.5 lb)
Lifespan	4-5 years; up to 8
Special feature	Babies are born furry and can move right away

Not a Pig at All

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are rodents in the cavy family, related to wild cavies and capybaras. They have nothing to do with farm pigs. Nobody knows for sure where the name came from, but their squealing, grunting sounds and chunky bodies may have reminded people of piglets.

What Guinea Pigs Look Like

For rodents, guinea pigs are quite large. Adults usually weigh about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds (700 to 1,200 grams) and are 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) long. They have no tail, short legs, and coats that can be short and smooth, swirled, or long and silky.

With good care, most guinea pigs live 5 to 7 years, and some reach 8 years or more.

Where They Come From

Guinea pigs were tamed in the Andes mountains of South America thousands of years ago, where people kept them for food and in ceremonies. Today’s pet guinea pig no longer lives in the wild. Scientists think it descends from wild cavies such as Cavia tschudii, which still live in parts of South America.

Behavior

Guinea pigs are social animals that live in groups and talk to each other with squeaks, purrs, and loud “wheeks,” especially when they hear a food bag rustle. They have good memories and can learn the paths to their food.

They are prey animals, so they startle easily. A scared guinea pig may freeze, run to a hiding place, or, in a group, scatter in all directions to confuse a predator. Guinea pigs are not good climbers or jumpers, but happy ones, especially youngsters, do a funny little jump in the air called “popcorning.”

Guinea Pigs as Pets

Housing

Guinea pigs need a roomy cage, much bigger than many pet store cages. A pair needs at least 7.5 square feet of floor space, and more is better. Many owners use C&C cages (made from wire cubes and a plastic “coroplast” base), which are easy to make bigger.

Choose a solid floor. Wire floors can hurt their feet and cause a painful infection called bumblefoot. Line the cage with paper-based bedding, aspen shavings, or fleece liners. Avoid cedar and pine shavings, because their strong-smelling oils can harm a guinea pig’s breathing. Add hideouts so they always have somewhere safe to rest.

Food

Guinea pigs are herbivores. The most important part of their diet is unlimited fresh grass hay, such as timothy hay, which keeps their gut working and wears down their always-growing teeth. They also need a small amount of plain guinea pig pellets and about one cup of fresh vegetables a day.

Good everyday veggies include romaine lettuce, bell pepper, cilantro, and parsley. Leafy greens like spinach and kale are best in small amounts, and treats such as carrots or zucchini can be given a few times a week. Avoid iceberg lettuce, onions, chocolate, and anything sugary.

Like people, guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so they must get it every day from fresh foods and fortified pellets. Without it they can get sick with scurvy. Always provide fresh, clean water too.

Company and Handling

Because they are so social, guinea pigs are happiest living with at least one other guinea pig. Pick them up gently with one hand under the chest and the other supporting the bottom, and keep them close to your body. If your guinea pig stops eating or seems unwell, see a vet who knows small animals.

Breeding

Guinea pigs can breed all year round. Pregnancy is long for a rodent, usually 59 to 72 days, with an average of around 63 to 68 days. A litter usually has 1 to 6 pups, with about 3 being typical.

Unlike baby mice or rats, guinea pig pups are born well developed. They have fur, teeth, claws, and open eyes, and they can run around and nibble solid food within hours, though they still nurse from their mother for a few weeks. Because breeding can be risky for females, pet owners should leave it to experienced breeders and keep males and females apart.

Guinea pig FAQs