Guinea Pig

Exam & Consultation

We strongly recommend you have your guinea pig examined every 12 months.  They are very good at hiding their illnesses and injuries and the physical exam is a good time to make sure they are healthy and okay.  It’s always good to catch a problem early before it becomes more expensive and difficult to treat.  We know several things change from year to year with guinea pigs and even though these changes may appear minor, they can be quite dramatic.  The sooner we see a change that isn’t part of the normal aging process, the sooner we might be able to intervene and help.

Biological Facts & Behaviors Guinea pig, cavy, or cuy (Cavia porcellus).  They are native to grasslands, forests, swamps, and mountains of South America.  Their life span is 4 to 8 years and they weigh 750 – 1,200 grams (males are larger than females).  The gestation period is 59 to 72 days (shorter for larger litters) and the average litter size is 3 to 4.  Young are born fully-furred with eyes open and sexual maturity is at about 4 to 6 months.   They make great pets.  They are docile, non-aggressive, and rarely bite or scratch.  They can become easily stressed.  When frightened, they will run around at a very fast speed, making them hard to catch.   They are social and prefer to live in small groups in the wild

Diet & Nutrition
Feeding a large quantity of grass hay (e.g. timothy, brome, Bermuda) is very important.  Chewing action is required to prevent teeth from overgrowing and fiber is important for their digestion.   Guinea pigs are unable to synthesize vitamin C in their bodies;  it must be provided daily in the diet.  Vitamin C is found in many dark, leafy greens and vegetables including turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, kale, parsley, red and green pepper, broccoli, and collard greens.  Strawberries, honeydew melon, raspberries, kiwi, and oranges are other good sources of vitamin C.  Only offer small amounts of fruit.

Diet changes should be made gradually in order to prevent gastrointestinal problems. Offer a pelleted diet containing vitamin C, approximately 1/8 cup per day.  Avoid diet mixes containing dried fruit, vegetables, grain, and seeds.  Alfalfa-based pellets (e.g. Oxbow Cavy Performance) should be fed to reproducing sows and juveniles up to 6 months of age, because alfalfa is high in calcium and protein.   Adult guinea pigs should be fed timothy hay-based pellets (e.g. Oxbow Cavy Cuisine).

Home Environment
A well-ventilated cage made of plastic, metal, or wire should be provided.   The cage floor should be solid (instead of wire) to prevent injuries to the legs and feet.  Provide a thick layer of fiber bedding such as aspen shavings or recycled newspaper litter.   Avoid cedar or pine shavings, which can be irritating or harmful.   A cardboard box or similar hiding place provides a sense of safety and security.  Place cage in a quiet location, away from direct sunlight, and at a temperature of 65-78° F.   To prevent heat stress, avoid high humidity and temperatures above 80° F.  A children’s wading pool filled with hay makes a great playpen for guinea pigs.

Health Maintenance Care

Feed quality pelleted guinea pig food, grass hay, plus daily vitamin C supplementation.  Trim toenails, if necessary, and comb/brush long haired breeds.  We recommend a complete physical examination every 12 months and an annual internal parasite exam (you can bring a small stool sample needed for testing at the time of the exam).  Make sure to provide plenty of exercise to prevent obesity.

Common Health Problems

• Dental problems.
• Respiratory infections.
• Hair loss due to mites, lice, fungal infections, or hormonal problems.
• Urinary tract problems such as bladder stones.

Links

Small Mammal Health Series – Guinea Pig
A good site for overview of husbandry requirements and information on common health problems.

Small Mammal Heath Series – Nutrition

Small Mammal Health Series – Vitamin C Supplements for Guinea Pigs

Guinealynx
A great site for all things cavy related.