If you are going to keep pet guinea pigs, knowing how to care for them properly is vital to keep them healthy and happy. Guinea pigs are fairly easy to take care of but they have specific needs which must be met. As an experienced guinea pig owner, I can help you learn how to best look after your pets. Here are some essential aspects of caring for guinea pigs:
- Keep Guinea Pigs In Pairs
- Provide Proper Housing
- Understand Their Dietary Needs
- Keep Their Housing Clean
- Groom Your Guinea Pigs
- Handle Them Regularly
- Understand Their Behaviour
- Check for Health Problems
I will also explain the regular tasks you will need to undertake, and the costs involved with owning and caring for a guinea pig. You can also buy my uniquely illustrated guinea pig care sheets to help you shine as a piggy parent.
1. Keep Guinea Pigs In Pairs
Guinea pigs are naturally social animals who enjoy the company of their own kind. It’s essential to keep them with one or more other guinea pigs, but not with different animal species, to avoid risks to their health and safety. Learn more about a guinea pig’s social needs and pairing here.
2. Provide Proper Housing
Guinea pigs are active pets and need a large enclosure, at least 5ft x 2ft, allowing them to exercise freely. They are best kept indoors and must be kept safe from other household pets. They require suitable bedding and a hideout each within their enclosure, as they are nervous animals needing a place to feel hidden and safe. Learn more about housing guinea pigs here.
3. Understand Their Dietary Needs
Guinea pigs need a high-fibre diet consisting of hay, fresh vegetables, and dry guinea pig pellets to keep them healthy. Fresh water, changed daily, is also essential. Learn more about their specific dietary requirements here.
4. Keep Their Housing Clean
Regular cleaning of their enclosure is essential, with the frequency varying from every 3 to 7 days, depending on the type of bedding used. Daily spot cleaning is also necessary to maintain a clean, hygienic environment.
5. Groom Your Guinea Pig
Long-haired guinea pigs need daily gentle brushing and regular hair trims to avoid matting. All guinea pigs require nail trimming every 2-4 weeks to prevent discomfort and mobility issues. Neglecting this can cause distress. Bathing is also necessary; long-haired breeds may need baths every 3 months, while short-haired ones can go longer due to less dirt accumulation in their hair.
6. Handle Them Regularly
Regularly handling your guinea pig helps them become familiar with you and more tame. Some guinea pigs are particularly nervous, but with patience and gentle care, they’ll gradually get more friendly. Learn more about bonding and taming your guinea pig here.
7. Understand Their Behaviour
Understanding their behaviour allows you to quickly notice when something is wrong. Guinea pigs communicate through various noises and body language, each signalling different needs or feelings.
8. Check For Health Problems
Performing simple weekly health checks, such as monitoring their weight and inspecting their body for abnormalities, helps in early problem detection. These checks are straightforward and become routine with practice. Monitoring their eating habits is also crucial; a lack of appetite can indicate health issues.
Guinea Pig Care Sheets
My printable illustrated guinea pig care sheet pack is designed to help you excel as a piggy parent. It helps you keep things organised and follow a regular care routine easily.
Care Sheet Details
- Cover featuring a large guinea pig illustration
- About Me: Your guinea pig’s details plus space for a photo
- Daily Checklist: Track daily care tasks
- Health Checks: Complete and tick off health items
- Nail Cutting: Date log for nail trims
- Weight Chart: Record your guinea pig’s weight
- Vet Info: Emergency contact and info
- Boarding Info: Details on your chosen guinea pig boarding
- Appointments: Track vet and other appointments
- Medication Log: Dosage and schedule tracker
- Health Records: Log health issues and outcomes
- Illness Symptoms: Quick guide to common problems
- Shopping List: Jot down items you need to buy
- Downloadable, printable PDF in full colour on A4 and US Letter.
Price: £7.99 or or see the huge money-saving bundle of Guinea Piggles PDFs
Regularity of Care Tasks
- Daily responsibilities for your guinea pigs include feeding, refreshing their water, spot cleaning the cage, and if necessary, grooming long-haired varieties. Interaction or cuddle time is also crucial. These daily tasks take about 20-30 minutes in total.
- Weekly tasks entail a thorough cage clean and a health check, taking about 30-60 minutes.
- Less frequent activities include nail trimming, bathing, and haircuts for long-haired guinea pigs. Regular mite treatment is recommended to prevent infestations.
How Much Does it Cost to Own Guinea Pigs?
Owning a pair of guinea pigs entails initial setup costs from £75 and ongoing monthly care expenses starting at £30, along with the potential of additional unexpected costs.
Initial Setup Costs
The initial setup includes the cost of housing and all necessary accessories to ensure a comfortable living space for your guinea pig. This can cost from £75 to £500+, depending on the quality and type of items you choose.
Ongoing Monthly Costs
Regular expenses for items like food, bedding, and enrichment toys typically range between £30 and £115 monthly. The cost depends on the brands and quality of products, and whether you buy in bulk. These figures come from a survey I conducted with guinea pig owners, focusing on the cost of caring for two guinea pigs.
One-Off Costs
Occasional expenses include replacing accessories, veterinary visits, and boarding services during holidays. Older guinea pigs often need more frequent vet visits, leading to increased costs for medication, x-rays, scans, and operations. Investing in pet insurance can be a wise choice to help manage these unforeseen expenses.
| Initial Set-Up | Ongoing Monthly Costs | One-Off Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Fresh Veg | Replacing Accessories |
| Hideouts | Hay | Vet Bills |
| Bowls & Water Bottles | Pellets | Boarding |
| Boredom Breakers | Bedding | |
| Cleaning Accessories | Disinfectant Cleaner | |
| Grooming Accessories | Pet Insurance (optional) | |
| Enrichment Toys |
Check out my page listing all the starter kit items you need to buy >
Caring For Elderly Guinea Pigs
As guinea pigs age, they are more prone to health problems, with arthritis being a common issue. This condition leads to painful and stiff joints, reducing their mobility. To accommodate their needs, you may need to provide a single-level habitat.
Helping Children Care For Guinea Pigs
Children require parental assistance to look after guinea pigs properly. These pets need delicate handling and parental supervision to ensure tasks are completed correctly. However, it’s a good opportunity to teach responsibility through active participation in the guinea pigs’ care.
As children become accustomed to the routine, they might start handling tasks independently, but parental guidance remains essential.
My care sheets can help with remembering tasks – tick off tasks as they are completed.
Additional Care Information
For detailed information on specific areas of guinea pig care, please check out the following pages:
- Housing Guinea Pigs
- Can a Guinea Pig Live Alone (Includes Pairing Info)
- What Do Guinea Pigs Eat Daily?
- How to Clean a Guinea Pig Cage
- Grooming Your Guinea Pigs
- Bonding, Taming, and Picking Up Your Guinea Pigs
- Understanding Different Guinea Pig Behaviours
- How to Do a Health Check
- What Does a Guinea Pig Need: A Starter Kit List