Guinea Pig care sheet
Social, vocal, and needs company plus unlimited hay. This is the complete guinea pig care guide: housing, feeding, cleaning, routine, handling, life stages and the setup checklist.
On this page
Quick facts
- Typical lifespan
- 5–7 years
- Adult size
- 1.5–2.5 lb, 8–12 inches
- Cage size (pair)
- 7.5 sq ft minimum (about 30×36 in)
- Social
- Must be kept with at least one companion
- Diet base
- Unlimited grass hay
Environment: 65–75°F (18–24°C). Humidity 40–60%. Indirect daylight, normal cycle. Activity: Crepuscular. Diet: Herbivore — hay, pellets, fresh greens.
Housing & setup
- A pair needs about 7.5 sq ft of floor space — bigger is always better, and wire-bottom cages are bad for their feet.
- Keep them in pairs or groups. In many places, keeping a single guinea pig is considered poor welfare.
- Provide at least one hide per pig, ideally with two exits so a subordinate pig cannot be cornered.
- Solid flooring with fleece or paper bedding; spot-clean daily and change fully once or twice a week.
Feeding
How often: Unlimited hay at all times, a small daily portion of pellets, and fresh greens once a day.
How much: About 1/8 cup of plain pellets per adult per day, plus roughly a cup of fresh greens each.
- Timothy or orchard grass hay must always be available — it wears down their continuously growing teeth.
- Guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C and need it daily: bell pepper, kale and a vitamin C supplement if your vet advises.
- Fresh greens every day; introduce new ones slowly.
- Never feed iceberg lettuce as a staple, and avoid anything in the onion family.
Cleaning & hygiene
- Spot-clean wet areas daily — this is what keeps odour down.
- Full bedding change once or twice a week.
- Check nails monthly and trim as needed.
- Long-haired breeds need regular brushing and occasional trimming.
- Check the rear end regularly for soiling, especially in older males.
Care routine
Daily
- Unlimited fresh hay
- Fresh greens with vitamin C
- Fresh water (bottle or bowl, cleaned daily)
- Spot-clean cage
- Floor time and social contact
Weekly
- Full bedding change
- Weigh each pig — weight loss is the earliest sign of trouble
- Wash fleece and hides
Monthly
- Nail check
- Full cage wash and disinfect
- Health check of teeth, eyes and coat
Handling
- Support the whole body with two hands — one under the chest, one under the hindquarters.
- They are prey animals: approach slowly from the side and low, not from above.
- Keep them close to the floor or your lap when out of the cage.
- Short, calm sessions in a quiet room build trust fastest.
Life stages
Young (0–6 months)
Higher protein needs (alfalfa hay often recommended), rapid growth, early handling to build trust.
Adult (6 months–4 years)
Timothy-based diet, stable weight, regular companionship.
Senior (4+ years)
More frequent weighing, easier cage access, softer bedding, watch for mobility and teeth issues.
Setup checklist
Everything you want in place before your guinea pig comes home:
- Cage of at least 7.5 sq ft for a pair
- Unlimited hay rack or pile
- Two or more hides
- Heavy ceramic bowl and a water bottle
- Fleece liners or paper bedding
- Nail clippers and a small brush
- A companion guinea pig
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your animal is injured, lethargic, off food for an unusual length of time or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a guinea pig cage be?
Around 7.5 sq ft for a pair (roughly 30×36 inches), and more for three or four. Floor area matters more than height, and solid flooring protects their feet.
Do guinea pigs really need a friend?
Yes. They are highly social and a lone guinea pig is typically less active and less healthy. Same-sex pairs or a neutered male with females are the usual combinations.
How often should I clean the cage?
Spot-clean wet spots daily and do a full bedding change once or twice a week. Daily spot cleaning is what actually controls smell.