Ever found yourself wondering, how long do guinea pigs live?
On average, guinea pigs have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years, but with the right care and nutrition, they can live up to 10 years!
At HayDay, we're all about providing guinea pigs, and other small animals, with the best high-quality hay to help them stay happy and healthy. In this guide, we’ll explore the factors that can influence how long do guinea pigs live (and that means feeding them premium guinea pig hay!) helping you ensure your guinea pigs live their longest and happiest life!
Key Takeaways
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Typically, guinea pigs live for live 5-7 years, with some reaching up to 10 years old: their lifespan is typically dependent on genetics, diet, housing, and veterinary care.
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Key factors for helping your guinea pig's lifespan include a balanced diet, regular veterinary visits, proper space requirements, and sufficient exercise.
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Guinea pigs require a diet that is high-fibre and rich in vitamin C as they cannot naturally produce vitamin C (like humans can!)
Understanding Guinea Pig Lifespan
Each part of a guinea pig's life - from baby, young, grown-up, and old - needs special attention to keep them healthy and happy. This can be in terms of their dietary requirements, more frequent vet check ups, changing housing and bedding and managing social interaction. Regular interactions with their owners are important to help build trust.
Newborn Stage (0-1 Month)
Baby guinea pigs come out ready to roll: think fully furred, their eyes open and fully developed teeth! Their diet includes their mum’s milk, but they also start nibbling on solid food within days, meaning the mum would need good food(s) to help keep her babies strong.
By two weeks, they are confidently eating solid foods but may still nurse. Despite being small, you'll find them walking and exploring right away. As you can imagine, it's a cute but busy time for anyone with new guinea pig babies!
Shop now > Alfalfa Hay for nursing guinea pigs.
Juvenile Stage (1-6 Months)
From 1 to 6 months, guinea pigs grow fast and need lots of energy. High quality foods that are rich in fibre, vitamin C, and veggies will help support health and development. At this age, baby guinea pigs (up to 6 months) benefit from Alfalfa Hay as it provides extra calcium and protein, but it should be gradually transitioned to Timothy or grass hay as they approach adulthood to prevent excessive calcium intake.
They love to play and enrichment for guinea pigs is key, so by providing them with space to move and fun activities to explore it will help to keep them enriched and entertained!
Adult Stage (6 Months - 5 Years)
At this age, feeding a balanced diet is super important! This includes,
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High-quality hay: such as timothy hay or meadow hay as their everyday hay and ryegrass hay for added diversity within their diet
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Pellets: an egg-cup full per day of pellets rich in vitamin C
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Vegetables: your guinea pigs should have access to fresh leafy greens each day, such as kale or bell peppers
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Water: guinea pigs should have access to fresh and clean water, at all times
Like most small animals, guinea pigs are social animals and are always at their happiest in pairs. In the wild, guinea pigs live in close family groups of up to 10 guinea pigs.
Senior Stage (5 Years and Up)
At around 5 years, guinea pigs turn into seniors and need extra love. Their food may need to be altered to help manage their weight, for example some may gain weight due to reduced activity, while others may lose weight due to age-related health issues.
Other considerations for senior guinea pigs include:
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More frequent vet check-ups to monitor for common age-related issues like arthritis and dental problems.
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Ensuring easier access to food, water, and hideouts, as mobility may decrease.
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Providing softer bedding to reduce pressure on aging joints.
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Monitoring their teeth closely, as older guinea pigs are more prone to dental issues that can affect eating.
With a little extra care, senior guinea pigs can stay happy and comfortable in their golden years!
What Affects Their Lifespan
How long guinea pigs live ties to a few big things: their family traits, what they eat, where they sleep, and how often they see a vet.
Genetics
Some guinea pigs are born with a head start - or a challenge - because of their family. Different types of guinea pigs might live longer or have certain health quirks. Knowing their background will help inform you of any requirements.
Diet and Nutrition
Like humans, food is a big deal for guinea pigs!
You'll find that babies need extra calcium and protein to help them develop and grow, adults require a balanced diet to help maintain their weight, and seniors may need easily digestible foods with lower calcium to reduce the risk of bladder stones. For example, pregnant and lactating females, as well as young guinea pigs, benefit from protein and calcium-rich foods like alfalfa hay but adults should primarily have timothy or meadow hay to maintain good health.
Did you know that guinea pigs can't produce their own vitamin C? Guinea pigs lack the enzyme needed to synthesise vitamin C and can only store it for short periods at a time. Because of this, it's important to feed foods rich in it to avoid any issues with their digestive and dental health. Vegetables rich in vitamin C include:
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Asparagus
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Kale
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Parsley
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Red Cabbage
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Spinach (in moderation)
Summary
With the right care, you'll share lots of happy moments with your guinea pigs and ensure that they live a happy and healthy life.
From babies, until your more senior guinea pigs - at each stage of life they require different diet, nutrition and spacing requirements, which is why it's super important to understand your guinea pigs specific needs.
Relevant Links
Best Foods for Guinea Pigs - HayDay HQ
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Food - HayDay HQ
Guinea Pig Health: How To Spot Symptoms - HayDay HQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common health issues in guinea pigs?
Common health issues in guinea pigs include scurvy, respiratory infections, dental disease, urinary tract infections and nutrient deficiencies. Regular veterinary check-ups, at least once a year, can help ensure their well-being.
How can I ensure my guinea pig has a balanced diet?
To ensure your guinea pig has a balanced diet, focus on providing unlimited quantities of high-quality hay, an egg-cup full of vitamin C-rich pellets and vegetables.
