Month: May 2025

We All Start Somewhere…

At some stage, as with everything, we are all absolute beginners. When many of us first started keeping guinea pigs, Guinea Pig Magazine didn’t exist yet to guide the way. We muddled through, made mistakes (possibly ones that still make us cringe – just us?), and learned through trial, error and some very confused cavies.

Thankfully, now there is a magazine entirely dedicated to these wonderful bundles of personality – and we’re delighted to have expert Catherine Alliss on board, to help new piggy parents with the basics.

Today, we’re looking back on one of Cathy’s excellent practical guides to having happy, healthy, popcorning piggies from Issue 55!

Guinea Pigs Are Family

Guinea pigs are delightful little creatures who have a lot of love to give to their owners. They’re often seen as a good “starter pet” for children – but let’s clear that up right away: they do make good pets for children, but they should not be left in the sole care of children. They’re part of the family but adults must take final responsibility for ensuring the animals are housed and cared for properly, ensuring they have everything they need.

What You Need to Know Before Bringing Them Home

Do Your Homework! Before getting guinea pigs, make sure you research their:

• Housing needs
• Diet
• Lifespan
• Breeds
• Healthcare requirements
• Where to find a piggy responsibly

Where Should You Get Guinea Pigs?

Pet Shops

Some pet shops still sell guinea pigs but they are often treated more like commodities or ‘shelf space’ rather than animals. You rarely get background information or long-term support, and health guarantees are limited.

Some stores will provide a guarantee and will cover the cost of veterinary care should the animal fall sick within a certain number of days after purchase – but that is rare. The downside of purchasing from a pet shop is that you have no information on the parents or genetic lineage of the guinea pigs for sale – and no ongoing support.

Breeders

There are good breeders and not so good breeders. Some show guinea pigs and breed small numbers to keep their show stock and responsibly sell on piggies that may be mis-marked for example. But, unfortunately, there are people who will only breed to sell animals to shops or markets.

A good breeder will keep full records and will be able to give you information about the parent and genetic lineage of the guinea pigs they sell. A good breeder will also often offer to take the guinea pig back should your circumstances change in the future.

Guinea Pig Rescues (Highly Recommended!)

If you are looking to welcome a guinea pig into your family, Guinea Pig Magazine recommends that you contact your local rescue. Many guinea pig rescues throughout the world rescue and take in unwanted guinea pigs and are always looking for homes for them.

They may or may not be able to give you background information on the guinea pigs in their care (such as age and genetics) but a rescue will be able to offer you advice on the correct care of guinea pigs.

A guinea pig rescue will ensure the piggies you adopt are free from illness and pregnancy. The rescue will serve as a useful source of advice and information, and will also always take the guinea pig back should your circumstances change in the future.

Guinea Pig Rescues:

• Offer healthy, well-sexed pigs
• Provide care guidance
• Are usually happy to support adopters long-term
• Will often take pigs back if circumstances change

Guinea Pig Magazine’s Piggy Pocket Guide (in each issue!) will point you in the direction of a recommended rescue near you.

How Many Guinea Pigs Should You Get?

Guinea pigs are sociable herd animals, and in the wild, they live in herds composed of a number of small groups of a male with up to 3 to 4 females. Because of their sociable nature, you should always consider adopting at least two – same-sex pairs or a neutered male with females is ideal.

Housing: Indoors, Outdoors or Both?

Ideally, your guinea pigs will live indoors, as part of the family, in which case, you will need a cage or indoor hutch of a suitable size. If your guinea pigs will be spending some or all of their time outdoors, then a secure, waterproof, and predator-proof structure of the proper size will be required.

There are many different cages and hutches available: ready-made hutches, plastic cages, C&C cages, and bespoke hutch-building companies who can create enclosures to your specifications. If you’re practical, you can even create your own cage or indoor enclosure (we have a great article on this from Sarah at Squeak Dreams in Issue 86). The most important thing is the size.

Recommended Minimum Floor Space:

• 1–2 guinea pigs: 7.5 ft² (0.7 m²)
• 3 guinea pigs: 10.5 ft² (0.98 m²)
• 4 guinea pigs: 13 ft² (1.2 m²)
• Add 3 ft² per additional adult guinea pig
  

If you plan on keeping two (or more) males together, it is advisable to have a cage that is at least one size larger than the minimum suggested above, as boars need plenty of space to ensure they get along. Remember, too, that the above measurements refer to the actual available floor space of the cage or hutch, rather than the manufacturer’s stated dimensions.

For example, the base of a plastic cage typically has slightly sloping sides and a lip around the edge to hold the wire top. Manufacturers will usually state the widest and longest measurements, which are the external dimensions of the cage. Hutch manufacturers also quote the outside dimensions of the hutch, without accounting for the thickness of the timber.

Guinea pigs love to run and need plenty of exercise every day to stay healthy, so the more space they have for safe floor-time, the better.

Feeding Your Guinea Pigs

Your guinea pig’s diet should be 80% hay – they are fibrevores, and their digestive system is really well adapted to eating a diet consisting mainly of grassy plant material. Hay should be freely available at all times!

Around 15% of their daily diet should be fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit – roughly 50g in total daily per guinea pig, which can be fed either as one meal or split into two smaller meals. The guinea pigs will get used to their routine and will tell you when it is time for their vegetables. The final 5% should be commercially available pellets or nuggets. These pellets or nuggets provide the essential vitamins and minerals that may not otherwise be available in their diet that are required to keep the guinea pig healthy.

To summarise:

• 80% Hay: This should always be available. It’s essential for digestion and dental health.
• 15% Fresh Veg: Roughly 50g per pig per day, split across one or two meals.
• 5% Pellets: High-quality guinea pig pellets with added Vitamin C.

Water Access

Guinea pigs need constant access to fresh water. This can be provided in bottles, or ideally, multiple bottles, so if one fails, there’s always a backup. A good rule of thumb is one water bottle per guinea pig to avoid any squabbles. Alternatively, you can offer water in a bowl.

Bedding Options

There are lots of different types of bedding available, each with its own pros and cons. The best option for you will depend on personal preference and your setup.

Fleece cage liners are best suited for indoor use. You’ll need an absorbent layer underneath, as urine will soak through the fleece. It’s also important to have at least two sets so you can change them regularly. Fleece liners need frequent washing and will occasionally need replacing if they become worn.

Wood shavings, wood flakes, hemp-based bedding, and paper-based litter are all absorbent options that can be used both indoors and outdoors. Once used, they can usually be composted.

💬 Finally…

If you decide that a guinea pig is the right companion for you, it’s important to remember they’re a forever companion and with the right commitment, they’ll bring years of happiness to your family.