Guinea Pig Information and Photos

Description: These attractive and lively rodents, also known as the Domestic Cavy, have a long history of domestication. Native to South America, the domestic Guinea Pig comes in an ever-increasing range of colors, patterns and coat lengths and makes an ideal pet for children.

Size: Most Guinea Pigs weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5 to 4 pounds. The boars (males) are usually larger than the sows (females).

Compatibility: Guinea Pigs enjoy being housed together if done so at an early age. Boars can be aggressive toward each other and sows are generally more tolerant. Guinea Pigs can also be housed with smaller breeds of rabbits. Large rabbits can accidentally injure them and are not suitable housemates.

Appeal: Guinea Pigs can be kept either indoors or outdoors if properly housed. If handled from an early age they can become quite tame and even affectionate. They are easy to pick up and handle, and will feed out of your hand. Short haired varieties have minimal grooming requirements.

Drawbacks: They are more expensive than other types of rodents. They require more room than smaller rodents. It is difficult to tell the age of Guinea Pigs when buying them from a store. Long-haired varieties require daily grooming.

Diet: Commercially produced Guinea Pig food, green foods, root vegetables and hay. In short, a diet very similar to that of a rabbit.

Problems & Health Issues: These animals are especially susceptible to mites and other skin problems, many times the result of a vitamin C deficiency.

Lifespan: Healthy Guinea Pigs can live from 5-8 years.

Interesting Facts: Guinea Pigs, as the second part of their name suggests, are somewhat pig-like in appearance and make a distinctive "oinking" and squealing noises. There are several thoughts regarding the "Guinea" part of their name. One suggests that they were bought and sold for the price of a guinea (a British coin from the 1600-1700s).