Guinea Pig Care Guide for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know Before Bringing One Home

Guinea Pig Care Guide for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know Before Bringing One Home

Guinea pigs are adorable, social, and incredibly rewarding pets — especially for beginners. But while they may be small, they still require proper care, the right diet, mental stimulation, and daily attention. If you’re planning to bring home a guinea pig (or ideally, a pair), this Beginner’s Guinea Pig Care Guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep them healthy and happy.
This guide covers housing, food, grooming, bonding, and essential tips — along with expert-backed facts to help you become a confident guinea pig parent.

🏡 1. Housing: Creating the Perfect Guinea Pig Habitat

A comfortable living space is the foundation of good guinea pig care.

✔ Cage Size
Avoid tiny pet-store cages. Guinea pigs need space.
Minimum for 2 guinea pigs: 7.5 sq ft (30” x 50”)
Ideal: 10.5+ sq ft

✔ Flooring
Never use wire flooring — it injures their feet.
Use solid bottoms with fleece liners, towels, or bedding.

✔ Bedding Options
Paper bedding
Kiln-dried pine
Fleece liners (reusable and popular)
Avoid cedar — it causes respiratory issues.

✔ Comfort Add-ons
.Guinea pigs love:
.Hideouts
.Tunnels
.Hay racks
.Soft blankets
.Chew toys
.Enrichment keeps them relaxed and mentally stimulated.

🌿 2. Diet: What Guinea Pigs Should Really Eat

Guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems, so it’s essential to get their diet right.

✔ 60–70% Hay (Unlimited)
Timothy hay is best for adults.
Alfalfa is ONLY for babies under 6 months.
Hay helps:
digestion
nutrients
tooth health (teeth grow continuously!)

✔ Daily Fresh Vegetables
Offer 1 cup per pig daily. Options include:
Romaine lettuce
Bell peppers (great vitamin C!)
Cucumber
Carrots (in moderation)
Cilantro and parsley
Leafy greens

✔ Pellets
Choose high-quality, Timothy-based pellets with:
No seeds
No colored bits
No nuts

✔ Vitamin C is Essential
Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C, making it vital in their diet.
Use veggies, pellets, or supplements (never add to water).
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💧 3. Water & Hydration

Use a water bottle or a heavy ceramic bowl.
Change water daily
Clean bottle twice a week
Avoid sugary drops or vitamins in water
Fresh, clean water is essential for their kidneys and digestion.

🐹 4. Companionship: Never Keep Them Alone
Guinea pigs are herd animals and require companionship.

🧼 5. Grooming & Hygiene

✔ Nail Trimming
Every 3–5 weeks.
Overgrown nails can cause pain and leg deformities.

✔ Bathing
Only 2–4 times per year or when absolutely necessary.
They are naturally clean animals.

✔ Brushing
Long-haired breeds (Peruvian, Sheltie): 3–4 times/week
Short-haired breeds: 1–2 times/week

✔ Cage Cleaning
Spot-clean daily.
Deep clean weekly.

🧠 6. Bonding & Behavior

✔ Tips to bond with your guinea pig:
Hand-feed veggies
Sit near their cage and speak softly
Avoid loud noises
Hold them gently and close to your body
Let them explore during floor time (supervised!)

✔ Common behaviors:
Popcorning → excitement
Purring → contentment
Wheeking → hunger or excitement
Chattering → irritation
Understanding these sounds helps you communicate better with your pet.

🩺 7. Health: What to Watch Out For

Guinea pigs can hide illness, so daily observation is important.

✔ Signs of a healthy guinea pig:
Active
Clear eyes
Smooth breathing
Shiny coat
Good appetite
Regular droppings

✔ Immediate vet attention required if:
Sneezing, wheezing
Weight loss
Diarrhea
Crusty eyes or nose
Lethargy
Regular exotic vet checkups keep your guinea pig healthy and prevent serious issues.

🧾 8. Time & Cost Commitment

✔ Time
Daily feeding
Daily socializing
Cage cleaning
Grooming sessions

✔ Costs
Quality hay
Pellets
Vegetables
Bedding
Vet visits
Cage and accessories
They are not “low-effort pets” — they need real commitment.