Guinea Pigs as Pets: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start

Thinking about getting guinea pigs? Find out how many you need at minimum, how to set up a good cage, and why vitamin C is essential for a healthy guinea pig.

Maybe you have seen a guinea pig squeak at a friend's house, or your children have been asking for a small pet for months. Guinea pigs seem ideal: they are cuddly, quiet enough for a family home, and appear to need little space. The honest answer is more nuanced: a guinea pig is a great pet, provided you get at least two, set aside enough space, and are willing to invest in fresh vegetables and hay on an ongoing basis. This guide covers everything you need to know, from housing to feeding and the most common mistakes.

What exactly is a guinea pig?

The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is a rodent from the Andes in South America and, despite its name, is not related to the pig. It is a social animal that is active during the day and lives in groups in the wild. A healthy guinea pig lives five to eight years on average, longer than many people expect - a good reason to think carefully before bringing one home. Guinea pigs communicate with a recognisable range of sounds: the well-known squeak (at the sight of food), rumbling, and happy little jumps known as popcorning when they feel good.

How many guinea pigs do you need at minimum?

This is the most underestimated rule: a guinea pig should never live alone. They are herd animals that become noticeably stressed in isolation. Get at least two guinea pigs - two females, two neutered males, or a neutered male with a female. Never put two unneutered males together; this often leads to fighting. If you are unsure about the combination, ask a pet shop or a vet experienced with rodents for advice.

💡 Tip: always let new guinea pigs meet on neutral ground, not in either animal's own cage. This helps prevent territorial behaviour.

Housing: cage, space and layout

Guinea pigs barely jump, but they still need far more room to move than the standard cage sold in shops. As a rule of thumb, allow at least 0.7 to 1 square metre per guinea pig, ideally more: the larger the space, the more active and healthy the animal stays. Pay attention to the following:

• Floor: a solid, flat floor with enough bedding - never a wire floor, as this can injure the feet.
• Hiding spots: at least one house per guinea pig, so the lowest-ranking animal can also retreat.
• Location: guinea pigs are sensitive to draughts, damp and extreme temperatures. A quiet spot indoors out of direct sun is usually safer than an outdoor hutch, unless it is well insulated and sheltered.
• Quiet: do not place the cage right next to a loud television or in a busy family walkway.

A spacious cage with enough height and floor space, suited for guinea pigs kept indoors or outdoors, is the foundation for a happy guinea pig life. As Fidello's own range for small pets does not currently include dedicated guinea pig housing in the UK, check your local pet shop for a cage that meets these requirements.

Feeding: hay, vegetables and the need for vitamin C

Hay forms the basis of the diet and should be available without limit: it keeps the constantly growing molars worn down and supports healthy digestion. Add a handful of fresh vegetables every day (think bell pepper, cucumber or endive) plus a small amount of food made specifically for guinea pigs.

A crucial difference compared with, for example, rabbits: guinea pigs, just like humans, cannot produce their own vitamin C. A deficiency eventually leads to scurvy, with symptoms such as lethargy, joint pain and reduced appetite. Never give standard rabbit food - it does not contain enough vitamin C for a guinea pig. Choose food made specifically for guinea pigs, or a suitable vitamin C supplement for rodents, and supplement with vegetables that are rich in vitamin C.

⚠️ Note: vitamin C breaks down quickly. Buy guinea pig food in small bags and replace it regularly to keep it effective.

Also make sure fresh hay is topped up daily, choosing a soft variety such as timothy hay that is gentle enough for everyday eating.

Care and health

Guinea pigs are prey animals and hide illness until the very last moment. Check at least once a week:

• Weight and appetite: a guinea pig that suddenly eats less could be seriously ill - do not wait, contact a vet.
• Claws: trim regularly, especially in animals that spend little time walking on rough surfaces.
• Teeth: as with rabbits, the molars keep growing throughout life. Enough hay is the best prevention against dental problems.
• Coat: long-haired breeds such as the Peruvian guinea pig need daily brushing to prevent matting.

Behaviour and getting used to people

A new guinea pig is timid at first - this is normal behaviour for a prey animal, not unfriendliness. Give it peace and quiet for the first few days and limit yourself to talking calmly near the cage. After that, offer short, supervised time outside the cage every day, in a safe, enclosed space. Always pick up a guinea pig with both hands: one under the chest, one under the hindquarters, never just by the scruff or the legs. With patience and daily, consistent contact, a guinea pig becomes tame within a few weeks and will often seek contact itself at the sound of a bag of vegetables.

Common mistakes when keeping guinea pigs

• Keeping a single guinea pig instead of at least a pair.
• Feeding rabbit food instead of food made specifically for guinea pigs, causing a vitamin C deficiency.
• Choosing a cage that is too small, sized only to the standard size sold in shops rather than to the number of animals.
• Treating hay as an 'extra' rather than the daily staple diet.
• Only checking claws and teeth once a problem already exists.
• Putting a guinea pig outside without proper protection from heat, cold or predators.

Checklist: ready for guinea pigs?

• ☐ You are getting at least two guinea pigs, not a single animal.
• ☐ A space of at least 0.7-1 m² per animal is available, in a quiet spot free of draughts.
• ☐ You have daily time for care, feeding vegetables and checking on them.
• ☐ You have budget for hay, guinea pig food, fresh vegetables and vet visits.
• ☐ There is a vet nearby with experience treating rodents.

Frequently asked questions about guinea pigs

Can guinea pigs and rabbits live together?

This is not recommended. A rabbit can seriously injure a guinea pig with a kick, the two species communicate differently, and they have different nutritional needs - rabbit food, for example, does not contain enough vitamin C. It is better to keep the two species separate, possibly in the same room so they can see and smell each other.

How long do guinea pigs live?

With good care, guinea pigs live five to eight years on average. Enough space to move, the right diet and regular vet check-ups all contribute to this.

Can guinea pigs live outdoors?

Yes, provided the hutch is well insulated, dry, free of draughts and protected from strong sun, frost and predators. If in doubt, a quiet spot indoors is the safer choice, especially in winter and during heatwaves.

How much does a guinea pig cost per month?

Besides the one-off cost of a cage and its setup, budget for ongoing costs such as hay, vegetables, guinea pig food and periodic vet check-ups. These costs are usually lower than for a dog or cat, but they are certainly not negligible - especially with a pair or trio of guinea pigs.

Summary and conclusion

A guinea pig is a rewarding, social pet for anyone who gets the basics right: at least two animals, a spacious cage, unlimited hay and attention to vitamin C. Anyone who takes these points seriously will enjoy a happy, communicative pet for years to come. Still unsure about the right setup or diet? Fidello's small pet range can help you get your guinea pigs off to a comfortable start from day one.

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