Guinea Pigs as Pets – 2025 Vet Guide by Dr Duncan Houston 🐹🌿

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Introduction

Guinea pigs, also called cavies, are gentle, sociable rodents prized for their expressive personalities and endearing squeaks. Though often a child’s first pet, they require thoughtful husbandry. In this updated 2025 veterinary guide, I offer in-depth advice on diet, housing, hygiene, handling, health, enrichment, and veterinary support to ensure your cavies thrive physically and emotionally.

1. History, Lifespan & Breed Variations

Native to the Andean region, guinea pigs were domesticated by ancient South American civilizations. Brought to Europe in the 1500s, selective breeding led to popular coat varieties:

• English (shorthair)
• Abyssinian – rosettes of wiry hair
• Silky – medium-length smooth coat
• Peruvian – long, flowing hair

Adult cavies typically weigh 900–1,200 g (2–2.6 lb) and live about 5–7 years, sometimes longer with attentive care.

2. Social Needs & Behavior

Guinea pigs are highly social (‘thigmotactic’) and happiest in bonded pairs or small groups. Solitary animals often become anxious or depressed. Build social bonds by:

• Housing same-sex pairs or neutered males with females
• Introducing new guinea pigs gradually in neutral territory
• Handling daily to strengthen trust and communication

Watch for vocal cues—purring, wheeking, rumbling—and body language like popcorning (joyful hops) to assess their emotional state.

3. Housing & Hygiene

Optimal housing involves:

• Floor area: ≥100 sq in per adult (180 sq in if breeding)
• Solid floors: Prevent pododermatitis; avoid wire or mesh
• Bedding options: Shredded paper, corn cob pellets, recycled paper; avoid cedar or dusty shavings
• Bedding depth: Use at least 2–3 inches for digging and comfort
• Hideouts: Cardboard boxes, hide huts, igloos—essential for privacy
• Cage location: Quiet, draft-free, out of direct sun, with stable 65–75 °F temperature range
• Ventilation: Wire sides/roof recommended
• Cleaning: Spot-clean daily, full change weekly, disinfect monthly

4. Diet & Vitamin C

Proper nutrition is critical:

• 80% grass hay: Timothy, orchardgrass, brome—essential for dental and gut health
• Pellets: High-quality, grass-based cavy pellets (avoid rabbit or alfalfa-based)
• Vitamin C: Mandatory daily through diet or vet supplements
• Fresh produce: Around ¼–½ cup daily, chosen for high vitamin C and fiber
• Avoid: Sugary or starchy foods (beans, corn), which disrupt gut flora
• Water: Clean, fresh, via bottle or heavy bowl; no additives

Vitamin C Content & Serving Chart

This table shows how many grams of fresh food are needed to deliver 25 mg (maintenance), 50 mg (stressed), or 100 mg (deficiency treatment):

Note: Aim to offer a variety of high-vitamin C veggies (e.g., parsley, kale, strawberries) daily, while limiting low-vitamin items like carrots and iceberg lettuce due to volume needed.

5. Enrichment & Mental Well-being

Environmental engagement is essential:

• Hide food in tunnels, boxes, or puzzle feeders
• Rotate chew toys (wood blocks, apple branches) to prevent boredom
• Provide supervised floor time with safe toys and low barriers
• Offer change-ups—paper bags, climbing ramps, hay piles

Cavies thrive with stimulation; boredom can lead to aggression, overgrown fur, or appetite loss.

6. Handling & Bonding

Use gentle lifting techniques:

• Slide one hand under the rump, another supporting the belly
• Keep close to your body to avoid falls
• Speak quietly and move slowly to build confidence
• Recognize stress signals: squeals, freezing, or biting

Regular petting and short laps enhance their trust and social bonding.

7. Common Health Issues & Veterinary Care

Early detection is key—watch for these conditions:

Scurvy

Vitamin C deficiency causes joint pain, bleeding, poor appetite—treat with supplementation and vet guidance.

Pododermatitis (Bumblefoot)

• Signs: swollen feet, reluctance to move
• Treatment: soft bedding, foot soaks, topical antibiotics, and pain relief

Fur Loss, Mites, & Dermatitis

• Causes: mites, fungal infections, cysts, dominance behavior
• Treatment: vet diagnostics, medicated baths/topical therapy, cage clean-out

Pneumonia

• Symptoms: coughing, discharge, lethargy
• Treatment: vet-prescribed antibiotics and supportive care

Slobbers & Dental Malocclusion

• Symptoms: drooling, underjaw wetness, appetite loss
• Treatment: sedation and dental correction, pain control, ongoing trimming

Heat Stress

• Symptoms: panting, weakness, convulsions
• First aid: cool misting baths, damp towels; vet care if needed

8. Health Monitoring & Veterinary Checkups

• Daily: appetite, droppings, breathing, grooming habits
• Weekly: inspect teeth, nails, feet, coat
• Annual vet exam; more often if health issues arise
• Maintain records of weight, diet, medical events

9. Breeding & Reproduction

Responsible breeding requires veterinary oversight:

• Sows bred between 4–7 months to prevent complications
• Gestation: 63–70 days; litters of 1–6 pups, usually 3–4
• Parents should separate after birth to avoid stress
• Wean pups at ~3 weeks; females kept younger than 7 months

Discuss spaying/neutering with your vet to prevent ovary cysts or aggressive behavior.

10. Daily & Weekly Care Routine

• Daily: Fresh hay, veggies, pellets; spot clean; handling time; bedding inspection
• Weekly: Full cage wash; bedding replacement; health check; toy refresh
• Monthly: Disinfect cage surfaces; rotate enrichment items
• As needed: Vet checkups when concerns arise

11. Emergency Signs: Seek Help Immediately

• Joint swelling or reluctance to stand
• Difficulty breathing or nasal discharge
• Drooling, reduced eating, slobber
• Seizures or collapse
• Heat stress or dehydration symptoms
• Sudden fur loss or skin sores

12. 2025 Vet Tips for Thriving Guinea Pigs

• Keep at least two cavies to support social bonds
• Provide spacious, solid-floored housing with enrichment
• Feed unlimited grass hay and vitamin‑C–rich produce daily
• Use hideouts and puzzle feeders for mental engagement
• Practice gentle handling to build confidence and trust
• Inspect health daily and schedule regular vet exams
• Be proactive with foot, dental, and diet-related concerns

Conclusion

Guinea pigs are affectionate, vocal, and enjoy social interactions. With careful attention to their environment, nutrition, hygiene, and human connection, they make charming, long-lasting companions. Use this 2025 vet guide to create a nurturing home where your piggies can thrive for years to come. 🐹❤️

Support from Ask A Vet

Need tailored feeding plans, support for dental or foot issues, or help understanding behavior? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for real-time veterinary insights tailored to your guinea pig’s needs. We’re here for every squeak! 📱

Disclaimer

This guide is educational and not a substitute for a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your vet for medical advice or treatment.