So You Want a Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs are cute, social and love to eat. A perfect pet. After meeting Gillie Guinea Pig and all his friends, we don’t blame you for wanting your own. But like all pets, guinea pigs are a big responsibility and we want to make sure you have all the information you need before welcoming a new member into your family. In this article, we go over all the fundamentals of owning a guinea pig. For a deeper dive into any topic, click on the subject to read a more in-depth analysis.

Big kid talk: Guinea pigs are a lot of responsibility, understand that a youngster will not be able to do all of it. Miss Carolyn is an adult in GuineaPigVille, so as the adult of your family, make sure you are ready to step in to take care of your guinea pig when a youngster cannot.

Guinea Pigs are Social

Guinea pigs like to be surrounded by friends, think of Gillie and all of his friends. So if you plan to get one guinea pig, plan to get two. They live a much happier life when they have a friend. A guinea pal to talk to. Now, before getting your two guinea pigs, always check their personalities. Just like how humans don’t get along with everyone, guinea pigs are the same way. Ask for a “bonded pair.” And bonded doesn’t mean romantically. We encourage a same-sex pair to avoid any unexpected extra guinea pigs.

Guinea Pigs are Hungry

They have a large diet and eat a lot of different things. Be sure to offer them a variety of pellets, vegetables, and roughage (which is a fun word for hay). They also need some special help by adding Vitamin C to their diet. Why do you think there are so many orange trees on Puff Farms? For more information, check out our post on Guinea Pig Diets.

Guinea Pigs Are Explorers

They need a lot of space to explore. Many of the guinea pig homes you see for sale in pet stores are way too small. They need a lot of floor space to roam around and stretch out. By having the space, they get to do their happy dance, called “popcorning.” Where they run around and jump up and down. For more information for the perfect guinea pig setup, check out our blog post on Guinea Pig Supplies.

Guinea Pigs Are Shy

Like Gillie, guinea pigs are shy at first. You will need to take the time with your guinea pigs to let them warm up to you. Always have some Gillie-Approved guinea pig snacks on hand while you build a friendship with your new guinea pig. Approach them slowly and gently. Remember, they are small and you are BIG. Check out our step-by-step post on how to bond with your guinea pig.

Guinea Pigs Are Messy

Guinea pigs like to run and play, but that also means if you have loose bedding they will kick it up and get it EVERYWHERE. Let’s also not shy away from the fact that guinea pigs are rodents. Which means they go to the bathroom a lot. To keep things clean… and not smelly, you have to clean out your guinea pigs’ home every other day. And be prepared if they have an accident when they are out and playing with you.

Guinea Pigs Are Talkative

Although most see guinea pigs as quiet, they make all sorts of sounds. From wheeks to chortles to some funny purrs, guinea pigs have a whole language. Though none of their sounds are loud enough to wake the neighbors, you would be surprised how noisy they can be at times. Check out our Guinea Pig Language post to learn how to speak guinea pig.

Guinea Pigs Are A Long-Term Commitment

Yes, guinea pigs do not live as long as a dog or a cat. However, on average guinea pigs live about five to eight years. So before bringing a guinea pig into your home, make sure you and your family are ready for such a long-term commitment.

Guinea Pigs Are Up For Adoption

Before running to your local pet shop, check with your local shelters or rescues. So many guinea pigs find themselves without a home, just like how Gillie did in the first book. And they are all waiting to find their dream home. Before going to a pet store, check out your local shelters to see if a guinea pig is looking for a second chance at a dream-come-true life.

Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue founder Saskia Chiesa

It is a lot of work to be a guinea pig caretaker like Miss Carolyn, but with hard work and help from an adult we know you can do it!