Hides and houses
Shelves and ledges
Foraging and toys
Cage accessories
Kits and bundles
Fairy forest
Spooky mischief
Sweetie stash
Game mode
Forest floor
Castles and cathedrals
Are guinea pigs good pets?
Yes, for people who want a calm, talkative pet they can look after every day. Guinea pigs are awake in the daytime, which most small pets are not, and the MSD Vet Manual describes them as gentle, social and vocal animals that rarely bite when handled calmly.
They are not a starter pet in the "small and easy" sense. They need more room than most people expect, fresh food every day, and a friend of their own kind. They also live for years. If you can give those, they are one of the most rewarding small pets there is: they learn your routine, call out when they hear the fridge open, and many come to enjoy a lap.
| Good points | Things to plan for |
|---|---|
| Awake and active in the day | Need about 1 m² (10.5 sq ft) or more, which few shop cages give |
| Gentle and rarely bite | Must live in pairs or groups |
| Very vocal and easy to read | Fresh veg and hay every single day |
| Live long enough to really know you | 5 to 8 years of care, including holidays |
| Simple, plant-based diet | Need daily vitamin C and vet care from a guinea pig-savvy vet |
How long do guinea pigs live as pets?
Most pet guinea pigs live 5 to 8 years. The RSPCA gives a typical 5 to 6 years, with some living longer, and the MSD Vet Manual gives 5 to 8. That is longer than a hamster or a rat by a few years, so think about who will care for them if you move, go to university or have a baby. See how long guinea pigs live for each life stage.
How big do guinea pigs get?
An adult guinea pig weighs about 815 to 1,000 g (1.8 to 2.2 lb), according to the MSD Vet Manual. They are stocky, short-legged and have no visible tail. They have four toes on each front foot and three on each back foot, and all 20 of their teeth keep growing for life, which is why hay is the centre of their diet.
Do guinea pigs need a friend?
Yes. The RSPCA says guinea pigs should not live alone, and that in the wild they live in family groups of 5 to 10. A lone guinea pig has nobody to talk to, groom with or hide beside, and no amount of human time replaces that.
The easiest pairs are two females, brothers raised together, or a neutered male with one or more females. Unrelated males can live together but may need a few tries to find a match. A rabbit is not a suitable companion: the RSPCA warns that rabbits can bully or injure guinea pigs. Read our guide to guinea pig pairs and groups before you choose.
How much space and time do guinea pigs need?
Two guinea pigs need at least 1 m² (10.5 sq ft) of floor on one level, plus time out in a run or a safe room. The Humane World for Animals prefers 10.5 sq ft (76 × 127 cm, or 30 × 50 in) for a pair and says wire floors, plastic tubs and glass tanks are not acceptable. Guinea pigs run and "popcorn" (leap and twist in the air) when they are happy, and they need the room to do it.
In time, expect a short routine every day (hay, veg, water, spot clean), a bigger clean once a week, and as much play and lap time as you can give. Our guinea pig cage size guide has the full sizes, and our complete guinea pig care guide has the daily and weekly routine.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs are strict plant-eaters. Grass hay should make up about 75% of their diet and be available all the time, says PetMD, with about a cup of leafy veg per guinea pig a day and a small portion of plain pellets. Like people, they cannot make their own vitamin C, so they need it from food every day. Our guinea pig diet guide covers amounts, and what guinea pigs can eat lists safe foods.
Are guinea pigs good pets for children?
They can be, with an adult in charge. PetMD says a parent should be the main caretaker. Guinea pigs are calm and rarely bite, but they are easily hurt if dropped, and children often lose interest well before a guinea pig's 5 to 8 years are up. They work best as a family pet that children help with: filling the hay, washing veg and sitting on the floor for quiet lap time.
Do guinea pigs bite or smell?
Guinea pigs rarely bite. A nibble usually means "put me down, I need the toilet" or "you smell like food". A clean guinea pig barely smells; a smelly cage means the bedding needs changing more often. The guinea pig cage cleaning routine keeps it fresh.
Are guinea pigs nocturnal?
No. The RSPCA says they are active for up to 20 hours a day and sleep in short bursts, day and night. That makes them good company in the daytime, but they will also rustle, nibble and chat at 3 am, so a quiet living room usually suits better than a bedroom. Learn what all those noises mean in guinea pig sounds explained.
Before you get guinea pigs: a checklist
- A home of at least 1 m² (10.5 sq ft) with a solid floor, set up before they arrive
- A calm room that stays around 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F)
- A vet nearby who sees guinea pigs often
- Someone to care for them when you are away
- A budget for hay, veg, bedding and vet bills (see the cost of keeping guinea pigs)
- A plan for two, not one
- Time every day, for 5 to 8 years
Want to know more about them first? Try our surprising guinea pig facts and guinea pig breeds and coat types.
Guinea pigs as pets: common questions
Are guinea pigs good pets for beginners?
Yes, if the beginner is ready for daily care. Guinea pigs are calm, rarely bite and are awake in the daytime, so they are easy to get to know. What catches new owners out is the space they need, the daily fresh food and hay, the weekly clean and the vet bills. None of it is hard, but it is every day for years.
Is one guinea pig or two better?
Two, always. The RSPCA says guinea pigs should not be kept alone and are happiest in pairs. Two guinea pigs are barely more work than one: they share a cage, a hay pile and a cleaning routine. Two females, brothers raised together, or a neutered male with a female are the easiest pairs to keep.
Do guinea pigs like being held?
Most tolerate it more than they enjoy it, at least at first. They are prey animals, so being lifted feels risky to them. Many grow to enjoy sitting on a lap for a stroke and a snack once they trust you. Lift with both hands, one under the chest and one under the rump, and sit down while you hold them.
Are guinea pigs noisy?
They are chatty rather than loud. Expect squeaks, chutters, rumbles and purring, and a loud wheek when they hear the fridge or a bag of veg. At night they move about and nibble hay, so a guinea pig cage in a bedroom can keep a light sleeper awake. A living room usually suits them, and you, better.
Do guinea pigs need vaccinations?
No. Guinea pigs do not need routine vaccinations the way rabbits, cats and dogs do. They do need a vet check at least once a year, says the RSPCA, plus treatment for mites or worms if your vet advises it. Find a vet who sees guinea pigs often before you bring yours home.
Can guinea pigs and rabbits live together?
No. The RSPCA says rabbits and guinea pigs do not make good companions. Rabbits are bigger and can injure or bully a guinea pig, even by accident, and the two species eat differently and do not understand each other's body language. Each should live with its own kind.
Sources
- RSPCA: Guinea pigs
- RSPCA: Keeping guinea pigs together
- RSPCA: Guinea pig health and welfare
- MSD Veterinary Manual: Description and physical characteristics of guinea pigs
- PetMD: How to care for your guinea pig
- Humane World for Animals: Guinea pig housing requirements and bedding options
- RSPCA: Creating a good home for guinea pigs
