Caring for your Guinea Pigs

Despite having been commonly kept as pets for many years, many people still have the misconception that they are ‘starter’ animals for children.

In fact, Guinea pigs do require quite a bit of care in order for them to stay happy and healthy.

Accommodation

Whether they live indoors or outdoors, Guinea pigs require a spacious living area. Footprint is more important than height so give your Guinea pigs a minimum of 2.5m2 but preferably as large an area as possible.

As well as having plenty of space to exercise, they also need a secure resting place where they can sleep safely, protected from predators, unsuitable weather conditions and extreme temperatures. Some people convert and insulate an old shed or playhouse for their Guinea pigs.

Location

Guinea pigs are very sensitive to temperature changes so if your colony lives outdoors, you will need to take appropriate steps to ensure they are warm and dry, particularly in the winter months. This could mean providing additional heating sources or moving them into an insulated garage or utility room. Alternatively, they could be moved indoors.

If your colony lives indoors, make sure their enclosure is in a quiet room, away from any noisy electrical items such as television and speakers.

Bedding

Guinea pigs love to burrow, so make sure they have plenty of bedding hay in their sleeping area.

Line the bottom of their enclosure and their bedding area with a Guinea pig-safe, absorbent material like dust extracted wood shavings or, shredded paper with plenty of hay on top. Avoid aromatic wood-based material like pine or cedar shavings as the oils in them can lead to breathing problems.

If your Guinea pigs live indoors, you could line their enclosure with bath mats, fleece or carpet offcuts to make cleaning easier.

However, your Guinea pigs will still want to display their natural digging behaviours so remember to also provide trays filled with safe bedding materials for them to root around in.

Cleaning

The enclosure will need to be fully cleaned out regularly with a disinfectant that’s safe to use around Guinea pigs. The more Guinea pigs you have, the more often you’ll need to clean their living space. You should also do daily spot checks to remove any soiled bedding and leftover food.

Hiding places

Guinea pigs are prey animals and need places where they can hide and feel safe. Provide your pets with a choice of different types of shelters so they can rest and relax.

Enrichment

To prevent boredom, fill their enclosure with enrichment items like feeding puzzles, tunnels and chew toys.

Try hiding food or treats around their enclosure so they can enjoy rooting around for them. Remember to remove any old food so it doesn’t rot.

Get creative by making your own enrichment toys and rotate items to keep your Guinea pigs interested.

Diet

A good diet helps keep Guinea pigs healthy and can even be used in enrichment activities. Avoid feeding your Guinea pigs food meant for other pets as it won’t meet their nutritional needs.

Growing your own veg or foraging for food is a sustainable and cost-effective way to feed your colony.

However, you must make sure food is sourced from somewhere that hasn’t been treated with herbicides or pesticides, or from somewhere dogs could have urinated.

Guinea pigs set their food preferences very young. Baby Guinea pigs who are introduced to a wide variety of vegetables are more likely to continue enjoying a healthy diet when they’re older.

For dietary advice specific to your Guinea pigs’ needs, or if you notice any changes to their eating habits, please consult your vet.

What can I give my Guinea pigs to eat?

Always ensure your Guinea pigs have plenty of good-quality hay readily available to them. This makes up most of their diet. They also enjoy grazing on fresh grass.

Guinea pigs need hay for their digestive systems to function properly. Eating hay and grass also helps to keep their teeth at the correct length and shape. Guinea pigs’ teeth are always growing so the wrong diet can cause serious dental disease.

In order to get enough Vitamin C, Guinea pigs also need pellets to eat each day. Always store Guinea pig food in an airtight container. Follow the guidelines on the packaging to ensure your Guinea pigs are eating the correct amount. If you are unsure, speak to your vet.

Guinea pigs also need to eat fresh herbs and vegetables, like celery, courgette and green peppers, every day to help meet their nutritional needs. Small amounts of fruit and certain root vegetables such as beetroot and carrots can be given as occasional treats.

What can I give my Guinea pigs to drink?

Guinea pigs always need access to plenty of fresh water to drink. We recommend checking their water supply regularly.

If your Guinea pigs live outdoors, remember to top up more regularly on hot days and watch out for their water freezing in the winter. Bottle covers can help to prevent freezing but remember to check the nozzle is clear. Some Guinea pigs prefer to drink from a bowl. Look out for them tipping it over and their coat or living area becoming wet, particularly in cold weather.

Which foods are unsafe for Guinea pigs?

Never feed your Guinea pigs food made for other animals, as it will not meet their nutritional needs.

Limit vegetables which are high in calcium such as spinach, kale and broccoli. They are fine for an occasional treat but shouldn’t be given regularly. Avoid potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Although they love nibbling on fresh grass, you should never give your Guinea pigs lawnmower clippings. This will upset their digestive systems and make them ill. You should also avoid giving them citrus fruits.

Some plants are poisonous to guinea pigs such as buttercups and daffodils. Always check with your vet if you are unsure about any plants.

How much should I feed my Guinea pigs and how often?

The amount your Guinea pigs need to eat depends on their age, body weight and activity levels.

Always check the packaging for feeding instructions and be careful not to offer too many treats.

If you notice your Guinea pigs are gaining or losing weight, adjust the amount you’re giving them and monitor them carefully. If you notice your pet has lost weight but their eating habits haven’t changed, or if they have trouble putting on weight when food intake is increased, speak to your vet.

If you need to adjust your Guinea pig’s diet, make sure any changes are made gradually. Sudden changes can upset their tummies.

Exercise and play

Guinea pigs need daily exercise to keep them fit and healthy. Staying active helps to maintain a suitable weight prevents boredom and stimulates the mind.

Guinea pigs need plenty of space to exercise and enjoy exploring on the ground, both indoors or outdoors.

Always supervise your Guinea pigs when out of their enclosure and make sure the area is safe and Guinea pig-proofed.

Provide plenty of enrichment items such as balls, tunnels and chew toys to keep your Guinea pigs entertained.

Handling and socialisation 

Regular handling and interactive play sessions will also help them to form a lasting bond with you and your family. However, Guinea pigs typically prefer not to be picked up and cuddled but they may approach you for a gentle pet.

A snuggle sack or a cosy hat is a good way to provide a safe, warm place to relax and can be placed on your knee to encourage bonding. These can be purchased or you could make your own. When rehoming a Guinea pig, it’s important to consider the level of handling your pet has had. Our teams work with animals to get them used to being around humans but some will still be nervous.

It’s best to sit down when interacting with or handling your Guinea pigs so they don’t fall. Children should always be supervised.

Grooming

Guinea pigs generally keep themselves clean. However, long-haired breeds will need your help with daily grooming to maintain a healthy coat.

If your Guinea pig is unable to groom themselves, they could be overweight or in pain. If your Guinea pig stops grooming, or their coat is greasy around their bottom, speak to your vet.

Nail Clipping

If your Guinea pig’s nails aren’t wearing down naturally, they will need to be clipped. You can do this yourself at home or ask your vet to do it.