The scientific name of the guinea pig is Cavia aperea porcellus.
The average lifespan of a guinea pig is 6–8 years, though they may live up to 10 years.
A fully grown male guinea pig weighs 900–1500 g, while a female weighs 700–900 g.

Guinea pigs and humans share a long history. This adorable, cylindrical little creature was kept by the Inca people in the Andes of South America as early as 9000–3000 B.C. Spanish conquerors brought the guinea pig across the seas to Europe in the 1500s–1600s and to North America in the early 1800s. Thus began the guinea pig’s successful journey to becoming one of the most beloved pets.

• GUINEA PIG BEHAVIOR 
• GUINEA PIG SUPPLIES  
• GUINEA PIG FEEDING  
• GUINEA PIG TEETH  
• GUINEA PIG AND VITAMIN C  
• GUINEA PIG REPRODUCTION

GUINEA PIG BEHAVIOR 

GUINEA PIG BEHAVIOR IS INHERITED FROM WILD ANCESTORS
Guinea pigs carry the genes of their wild relatives and behave in many ways like their ancestors.
In nature, guinea pigs move in large herds with a hierarchical structure that maintains group harmony. The young are cared for collectively, and food is shared among all—making the guinea pig a highly social animal.
The herd is led by a male guinea pig. The lead male does not tolerate other sexually mature males in the group, so these males settle nearby, forming their own separate group of young males. Over time, members of the male group find their own females and establish new groups with them.
The herd has many females, and one of them is the leader. She acts as the mediator among the other females and the young.

GUINEA PIGS NEED COMPANY
A herd is very important to a guinea pig. When keeping them as pets, it's essential to consider their social nature. Guinea pigs should always be kept in pairs at a minimum. It’s best for the guinea pigs to be of the same sex, as males will mate even with their own mothers. If it turns out that the pair are of opposite sexes, you can consult a veterinarian about the possibility of neutering the male.
Females generally get along well with each other, but if you choose males, it’s best if they are from the same litter or introduced at a young age since adult males may not live peacefully together. Sometimes an adult male may accept another male if the other is still a baby—but each guinea pig has its own personality, so there's no guarantee of this.

DO YOU SPEAK GUINEA PIG?
Guinea pigs use a variety of sounds and gestures to communicate, some of which are easy for us humans to recognize.
If you hear your guinea pig making a high-pitched “wheek-wheek-wheek” sound, it’s begging for treats and attention. Guinea pigs quickly learn to associate the crinkling of vegetable bags and the sound of the fridge door with carrots and other goodies, and they’ll wheek to demand their share.
A guinea pig that enjoys being petted or spending time with another guinea pig will emit a relaxed “yodeling” sound, which is like small talk for guinea pigs. They also produce a hiccup-like sound to show they’re content.
A threatening sound is a low rumble, which can also indicate fear.
A warning noise includes rapid and forceful teeth chattering—whereas calm, contented teeth grinding resembles chewing cud.
If a guinea pig dislikes something, such as being touched on the rear or too much petting, it might make a quick, high-pitched squeak. At the same time, it may push with its hip—a signal worth respecting to defuse the situation.
Guinea pigs also make a grunting noise to greet other members of the herd. In addition to grunting, they may rub noses lightly upon meeting.
A guinea pig trying to show off or assert dominance walks with exaggerated, stiff legs. When a male courts a female, he sways his hips and rubs his bottom on the ground, leaving a strong scent. Courtship also includes a lot of sounds, like rumbling, snuffling, and teeth grinding. If the courtship isn’t successful, the female opens her mouth wide and shows her teeth—the male should try again later.
There are many more gestures and sounds in the guinea pig’s language—you’ll learn them as you observe your guinea pigs’ behavior closely.

GUINEA PIG SUPPLIES 

• Guinea pigs can live in a cage or in a pen built on the floor of the home. For two guinea pigs, a minimum space of 120 x 50 cm is often recommended. However, they should have much more room, as guinea pigs are curious and active movers. Especially if they have a minimum-sized living space, they should be allowed to roam on the floor under supervision, as long as the area is safe for them.
• Basic accessories for guinea pigs include a food dish, water bottle, hay rack, and at least one nesting house where they can hide. If you have multiple guinea pigs, there should be more nesting houses so that each guinea pig can take a comfortable nap under a roof if they wish.
• Ceramic and metal bowls work well as food dishes—the main thing is that the dish doesn’t tip over.
• Suitable bedding includes pine shavings, eco-fiber, straw pellets or straw. Shavings are the most affordable and absorb moisture well. Small rugs and mats are also commonly used as bedding—they’re easy to wash in a washing machine. Guinea pigs have very sensitive footpads, so coarse materials like cat litter are unsuitable and uncomfortable for them.
• Their habitat should be in a draft-free area.
• Direct sunlight can raise the temperature too much.
• The best place isn’t in the busiest part of the home, but it shouldn’t be “tucked away in the farthest corner” either, as guinea pigs enjoy observing family members.

BASIC CARE

• Guinea pigs are clean animals and don’t like dampness, so cleaning should be done at least twice a week, depending on the number of guinea pigs. At the same time, the bedding area should be thoroughly washed.
• Brushing with a soft brush is pleasant for guinea pigs, so they can be brushed even outside of shedding season. Long-haired guinea pigs need their coats brushed, combed, tied, or trimmed regularly.
• Nail trimming should be done once a month as needed. Nail trimming is easiest with round-bladed clippers designed for cats and rodents. Many pet stores also offer nail trimming for a small fee.
• Bathing is generally unnecessary, as guinea pigs groom themselves several times a day. If a guinea pig is visibly dirty or if it’s a long-haired breed, it can be bathed with an appropriate shampoo. After bathing, the guinea pig should be kept in a warm place, as they are prone to catching a chill when wet.
• The grease gland is a hairless area on a guinea pig’s rear, located where a tail might be if they had one. In male guinea pigs especially, this gland may become oily and require cleaning. This can be done using makeup remover and cotton wool designed for human skin.

GUINEA PIG FEEDING 

70% OF THE DIET SHOULD BE DRIED HAY
Scientifically, the guinea pig belongs to the suborder Hystricomorpha. This makes them herbivores, specifically plant-eaters, with a diet that consists mainly of hay. Guinea pigs should not consume any animal protein.
A good-quality hay should make up at least 70% of a guinea pig's diet. This hay can be a mix of timothy grass or other types of hay grasses. Hay should be available to guinea pigs at all times—they can never have too much.
High-quality dried hay doesn’t produce dust, and it only has the pleasant scent of dried hay. Good-quality hay is packaged in a way that allows a little airflow to prevent mold while keeping it from drying out excessively.
At home, if stored too openly, hay may become dusty, hard, and lose its flavor, so it’s best to store it in its original bag in a dry place. Alternatively, you can store it in a container with a lid, a storage box, or something similar that makes it easy to dispense.

20% COMPLETE FEED
In addition to hay, guinea pigs need a complete feed. There are many types of complete feeds on the market; here are some tips on choosing the right one:

• Grain-free is recommended. Grains are high in carbohydrates, which can lead to unnecessary weight gain. Choose a complete feed without grains.
• No additives, no sugar. Some feeds contain colorful pellets that are only for visual appeal, made with unnecessary dyes. Some also have added sugar for flavor. Choose feeds for your guinea pig that are 100% natural, without unnecessary additives or added sugar.
• Grain mixtures are fatty. Grain mixtures aren’t suitable for a guinea pig’s diet except as occasional treats—they are too fatty for regular meals and contain too little fiber.
• Fiber content is essential. Both long and short fibers are vital in guinea pig diets because their digestive tracts are long and somewhat sluggish. They lack the muscles to push food through, so new food pushes the old forward. Fasting doesn’t suit guinea pigs for this reason. Exercise also impacts digestion: lack of movement can cause gas and constipation.
  Long fibers aid digestion by helping move food through the intestines. Too little fiber slows food movement, which may lead to constipation and painful gas. You might notice softer, clumped stools, indicating fiber deficiency.
  Short fibers go to the cecum, where guinea pigs produce soft, sticky cecal droppings, or “night feces.” Guinea pigs eat these directly to recycle essential vitamins, bacteria, yeasts, and amino acids. Don’t be alarmed if you see a guinea pig eating its droppings—this is a healthy, essential habit.
• Pelleted food is preferred. Guinea pigs will pick out the tastiest bits if they can, leading to unbalanced nutrition. Pellets ensure each piece is nutritionally identical, preventing selective eating and keeping nutrition consistent. Pellets are also easy to portion out!
• Preparation matters. Most pellets for small pets are prepared at 150–160°C, which can destroy some nutrients. High-quality feeds like CUNIPIC’s Alpha Pro pellets are made at around 110°C, preserving nutrients so the guinea pig can benefit fully from the food.
• Nutritional values for complete feed: Below are recommended values, with (in parentheses) the values of CUNIPIC Alpha Pro Adult Guinea Pig feed:
  • Crude fat 2% or less (CUNIPIC 2%)
  • Crude fiber 16% or more (CUNIPIC 25–27%)
  • Crude protein for growing or pregnant guinea pigs, around 18%, and for adults, about 13% (CUNIPIC 14%)

8% VEGETABLES AND FRESH FOOD
In addition to hay and complete feed, around 8% of a guinea pig’s diet can be fresh foods like vegetables, root vegetables, and fruits. In the summer, you can gather dandelions, plantains, fireweed, grass, chickweed, and other garden plants. Make sure to pick plants from clean areas, away from city centers and roadsides.

2% TREATS
You can offer treats like CUNIPIC Alpha Pro Snack pellets that are specially made for guinea pigs.

GUINEA PIG TEETH 

A guinea pig's front and back teeth grow 1–2 mm per week throughout its lifetime, so they need constant work to maintain the proper length. Jaw movements and the shape of food affect how teeth wear down, as guinea pigs use their mouths differently depending on what they’re eating. Studies by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association indicate that many dental and digestive issues in guinea pigs stem from a grain-based diet.
A guinea pig's molars and premolars have evolved specifically for eating hay. This is another reason it’s important for hay to be available at all times. Additionally, it’s beneficial to provide branches from deciduous trees and other hard items to chew on—edible activity toys for small pets, such as those from the Cunipic Naturaliss series, are fun options!
If the teeth don’t wear down properly, the result can be molar or premolar spikes or overgrowth of the front teeth. Dental problems always require the help of a veterinarian. It’s not advisable to try trimming the teeth yourself, as there is a risk of breaking the tooth deep into the root.

GUINEA PIG AND VITAMIN C 

A guinea pig cannot produce vitamin C in its body, so it must be provided daily throughout its life. The recommended dosage for a healthy adult guinea pig is 10–30 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. A sick, pregnant, or nursing guinea pig may need up to 50 mg per kilogram per day.
There are both liquid and powdered vitamin C supplements available for guinea pigs. The liquid vitamin can be applied to a piece of cucumber or added to drinking water. However, the effectiveness of the vitamin halves within 24 hours in water, and it may be challenging to monitor the exact intake. Additionally, liquid vitamin C is slightly sour, so some guinea pigs may not like it. Often, powdered vitamin C is more popular. You’ll find out your guinea pig’s preference over time.
You can give a vitamin C supplement even if the guinea pig is eating pellets that already contain vitamin C. Other supplements can be given based on the guinea pig’s life stage and diet.

GUINEA PIG REPRODUCTION 

The estrous cycle in guinea pigs lasts approximately 14–15 days, and the gestation period is 63–70 days. Males reach sexual maturity at around 10 weeks, and females even earlier, as young as 5 weeks. However, the ideal age for the first breeding is 6–7 months.
Guinea pigs have only two teats, so litters are small, averaging 2–6 pups, with four being typical. Birth weights vary between 40–100 g. At birth, the pups are well-developed, with fur, open eyes, and the ability to hear. They begin eating solid food within just a few days.
Pups can be weaned from the mother at five weeks of age and when they weigh at least 300 g.