Guinea Pig Care Guide: Everything You Actually Need to Know
So, you’re thinking about getting a guinea pig—or maybe you already have one (or three), and you’re just trying to be a good piggy parent.
Either way: good call. Guinea pigs are adorable, chatty, potato-shaped companions that bring a ton of joy… if you know how to take care of them properly. Spoiler: They’re not low-maintenance pets. Cute? Yes. Easy? Eh, not exactly.
This guide covers everything you need to know—no sugarcoating, no fluff, just real advice from someone who’s cleaned way too many cages and knows the difference between a happy pig squeak and a “get me out of here” scream.
1. Choose the Right Guinea Pig (or Better Yet, Two)
Guinea pigs are social animals. Keeping one alone is basically solitary confinement with salad.
- Always adopt in pairs or groups (same sex, or neutered/spayed if mixed).
- Go to a reputable rescue if possible—not a pet store where they’re often misgendered and mistreated.
- Males (boars) or females (sows)—either works. Just be sure they’re compatible.
TL;DR: One guinea pig = lonely. Two = happy squeaky chaos. You want the chaos.
2. The Cage: Bigger Than You Think
- Fully Equipped Guinea Pig Cage ; Cavie is a great starter guinea pig home and includes a food dish, water bottle, large …
- Easy Maintenance Guinea Pig Cage ; Front and side doors fully open for quick cleaning access and the deep 6-inch base co…
- Great Guinea Pig Starter Cage ; Guinea pig cage measures 30.3L x 18.5W x 16.5H inches, deep base measures 30.3L x 18.5W …
Forget those tiny plastic cages marketed at pet stores. They’re way too small.
- Minimum for 2 piggies: 7.5 square feet. That’s about a 2×4 C&C cage (Cubes & Coroplast).
- Bigger is always better. Your pigs will zoom, popcorn (that cute hop), and generally live their best lives.
- No wire bottoms. Ever. That stuff wrecks their feet.
Pro tip: Build a custom cage. It’s cheaper and your pigs will love you for it.
3. The Bedding Situation
You’ve got options. But not all of them are great.
- Best choices: Paper-based bedding (like CareFresh), kiln-dried pine (yes, kiln-dried only), or fleece liners.
- Worst choices: Cedar (toxic), non-kiln pine, or anything scented.
If you go the fleece route:
- You’ll need to wash it regularly (like, every 3–4 days).
- Use absorbent layers underneath (puppy pads, u-haul furniture pads, etc.).
- It’s reusable and eco-friendly, but it’s a little work.
4. Food: It’s Not Just Carrots, People
Guinea pigs have specific dietary needs. And no, they can’t just live off lettuce.
Here’s the breakdown:
✅ Daily Must-Haves:
- Unlimited hay (Timothy for adults, alfalfa for babies under 6 months)
- Fresh veggies – Think bell peppers, cilantro, romaine, cucumbers, etc. (about 1 cup per pig per day)
- Fresh water – Changed daily
- Vitamin C supplement – Because they don’t produce it on their own
❌ Big No-No’s:
- Iceberg lettuce (zero nutrition)
- Fruit every day (treat only!)
- Rabbit food (wrong formula)
Good pellets: Look for Timothy-based, no seeds, no colorful bits. (Oxbow is solid.)
5. Handling & Socializing
Guinea pigs are prey animals. That means their first instinct is to panic. Don’t take it personally.
- Be calm and gentle. Scoop, don’t grab.
- Support their butt and chest—think “piggy throne.”
- Handle them daily so they stay socialized.
- Talk to them. Seriously. They know your voice and will respond over time.
Bonus: They’ll start wheeking at you when they hear the fridge open. Iconic.
6. Health: How to Keep Them Alive and Thriving
Guinea pigs are delicate. Cute… but dramatic.
Keep an eye out for:
- Weight loss
- Runny nose or crusty eyes
- Diarrhea or not pooping (yes, you’ll become a poop expert)
- Sitting puffed up in a corner = not okay
They need:
- Regular nail trims
- A clean cage
- Vet checkups (preferably an exotics vet)
- Constant hay to keep their teeth filed down
If your pig stops eating for 12+ hours, it’s an emergency. Don’t wait.
7. Entertainment: Bored Pigs = Sad Pigs
They may not chase laser pointers, but guinea pigs love enrichment.
Ideas:
- Tunnels and hideouts
- Cardboard boxes (easy win)
- Hay stuffers, foraging mats
- Fleece forests
- DIY toys from toilet paper rolls (finally, a use for all those)
And yes—they popcorn when they’re happy. It’s real. It’s adorable. You’ll want to cry the first time it happens.
8. Grooming and Bathing (or Not)
Here’s the thing: guinea pigs don’t need frequent baths.
In fact, too many can dry out their skin and cause issues.
- Long-haired breeds may need brushing or the occasional butt trim (real glamorous stuff).
- Spot-clean dirty areas with a damp cloth.
- If you must bathe, use a pig-safe shampoo and keep it rare.
Clean cage = clean pigs.
9. Noise, Behavior & Bonding
Guinea pigs are noisy little creatures—and every sound means something.
- Wheeking: Feed me.
- Chutting/Purring: Content.
- Teeth chattering: Back off.
- Rumblestrutting: I’m the boss (usually boars being dramatic).
Spend time with them. Sit in their space. Let them crawl on you. They won’t bond overnight, but when they do? It’s the cutest thing in the world.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s save you some stress:
- Buying a too-small cage. (Just don’t.)
- Using scented bedding or cedar. (Health hazard.)
- Skipping hay or vitamin C. (They need both daily.)
- Keeping one pig. (Get them a buddy.)
- Not checking their weight weekly. (Use a kitchen scale, trust me.)
Final Thoughts: They’re Small, But They’re Not Simple
Guinea pigs are loving, expressive, weird little fluff loaves, and if you do it right, they’ll bring so much joy to your life.
Just remember: they’re not toys. They’re smart, social, and deserve way more than a plastic cage in the corner.
Give them space. Give them greens. Give them time. And they’ll give you endless wheeks, popcorns, and adorable chaos in return.
I’ve spent 10+ years in dog training, digging into what makes dogs (and their humans) tick. At Smart Dog Learning, I share my no-nonsense, fun approach to training so you can enjoy life with a well-behaved, happy pup—no boring lectures, just practical results 😉
