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Guinea pig information – care, housing, nutrition & selection guide
Guinea pig information – care, housing, nutrition & selection guide
Guinea pigs are sociable, friendly animals that enjoy interacting with their group and with you. You can often recognize them by their enthusiastic chirps when you arrive with food. On this page, you'll find the most important basics about keeping guinea pigs together: keeping them together, space, food (hay!), vitamin C, and daily care.
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Character & behavior
Guinea pigs are prey animals. This means they feel safest with hiding places, established routines, and other guinea pigs nearby. In a good environment, you often see "popcorn" (happy little jumps), curious sniffing, and relaxed lying together. Give them time: trust develops through a calm approach, a steady voice, and predictable behavior.
Keep together
Guinea pigs belong together. Therefore, always keep at least two guinea pigs together. Common combinations include two females, two males (preferably raised together), or a neutered male with one or more females. When introducing them together, ensure there is enough space, several hiding places, and at least two feeding and hay areas.
- A guinea pig and rabbit together are usually not an ideal combination: they communicate differently and require different food.
- Prevent unplanned litters: in mixed couples, castration and a waiting period are important.
Housing: cage, run & furnishings
Guinea pigs aren't climbers; they primarily need floor space for walking, running, and turning. Therefore, choose a spacious enclosure with a practical layout: hiding places, walking routes, and designated areas for hay, water, and food. Browse our categories: guinea pig cages and runs & enclosures .
Place the enclosure in a quiet location: out of drafts, out of direct sunlight, and with a stable temperature. Outdoors is possible, but requires a well-built enclosure (dry, insulated where necessary, with sufficient shade and fully predator-proof).
Ground cover & puddles
Guinea pigs often defecate in designated areas. You can make this easier by creating absorbent "zones" and removing wet spots daily. Choose a material that's comfortable to walk on, absorbs well, and produces as little dust as possible.
Nutrition: hay, pellets, vegetables & vitamin C
The basics are simple: unlimited hay/grass , a suitable portion of guinea pig pellets , and fresh vegetables daily. Hay supports digestion and helps with natural tooth wear.
Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C themselves. Therefore, always choose special guinea pig food (not "general rodent food"). Vitamin C levels in food decrease over time; pay attention to shelf life and storage instructions. Not sure if your guinea pig is getting enough? Consult your veterinarian about a suitable supplement.
Directly to the correct category:
- Guinea pig hay and hay racks
- Guinea pig food & nutrition and guinea pig pellets
- Dried herbs and fresh herbs
- Guinea pig snacks
- Drinking bottles & water bowls
Enrichment: hiding, gnawing & foraging
Guinea pigs thrive in an enclosure with multiple hiding places and clear pathways. Vary the options, but keep it organized. Always provide more than one hiding place so another animal can't block the entrance.
- Houses and tunnels
- Rodent material
- Playing & foraging
- Cushions & baskets
- Platforms & ladders (low and stable)
Care & hygiene
A consistent routine will prevent a lot of hassle. Check daily that your guinea pig is eating well (especially hay), is alert, and has normal bowel movements. Refresh the water daily and remove any wet spots.
- Daily: remove wet spots, change the water, remove vegetable scraps.
- Weekly: full cleaning, thoroughly clean food bowls and drinking systems.
See also: guinea pig care and cleaning products .
Health: signals & prevention
A healthy guinea pig eats happily, exercises normally, and maintains a healthy weight. Pay extra attention if your guinea pig eats less hay, becomes lethargic, has unusual stools, loses significant weight, drools/becomes wet around the chin, or walks differently. If in doubt, it's wise to contact a veterinarian specializing in rabbit and rodent care.
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Checklist: basics in order
- At least 2 guinea pigs (suitable combination and sufficient space).
- Spacious floor space with multiple hiding places and walking routes.
- Unlimited hay (24/7) + matching guinea pig pellets .
- Vegetables daily (build up new varieties slowly).
- Vitamin C : choose special guinea pig food; if in doubt, discuss supplementation.
- Remove wet spots daily + change the water; fully clean weekly .
- Safe stay : no drafts, no full sun, completely predator-proof outside.
- Daily check : appetite, behaviour, stool and weight.
- Be aware of heat: provide shade, ventilation and cool places.
- Always choose guinea pig food (vitamin C) and give fruit/sugary snacks in limited quantities.
- Use stable platforms and avoid heights from which a guinea pig could fall awkwardly.
- In case of abnormal eating behavior or lethargy, it is important to act quickly.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
1) Can you keep one guinea pig?
No, guinea pigs are social animals. A minimum of two is the standard.
2) What is the most important part of nutrition?
Hay/grass (24/7). Supplement with guinea pig pellets and vegetables daily.
3) Pellets or mixed feed?
Pellets are often preferred because guinea pigs can selectively eat mixed feed.
4) Drinking bottle or water bowl?
Both are fine. Choose what your guinea pigs like and keep it clean.
5) Why does the enclosure sometimes have a strong smell?
Often through wet spots. Create designated puddle areas and remove any wet spots daily.
6) When to contact a veterinarian?
In case of less food (especially less hay), lethargy, abnormal stools, rapid weight loss, drooling or visible pain/stress behaviour.
Resources & background information: LICG – Guinea Pig . This page is intended as general information and does not replace veterinary advice.
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