Getting to Know Your New Pet Guinea Pig

Congrats on adopting your new guinea pig! Guinea pigs (also called cavies) are affectionate, playful, and loving companions. The more you learn about your furry friend, the stronger your bond will grow.

Quick Facts About Guinea Pigs

  • Lifespan: 5-7 years

  • Temperament:

    • Typically gentle

    • Not prone to biting (but will nip if mishandled or feel threatened)

    • Very social

    • Very vocal

  • Gender identification: Male guinea pigs are called boars, females are sows, and baby guinea pigs are pups.

  • Average weight: 30 to 35 ounces (about two pounds)

  • Common breeds: Just like cats and dogs, guinea pigs come in many different breeds. Eleven breeds you're most likely to see include:

    • Abyssinian: Short, tousled fur with whorl-like tufts, aka rosettes

    • Abyssinian Satin: A cousin to the Abyssinian with shiny fur

    • American: Smooth, slick coat in variations of white, caramel, black, and dark brown

    • American Satin: Same colors as American but with an extra shine in their coats

    • Coronet: Long fur with a white fur rosette on their foreheads

    • Peruvian: Long fur and a fur rosette on the head and rump (the fur on the forehead often swoops in the front, making it difficult to see)

    • Silkie or Sheltie: Long fur parts naturally along the spine

    • Skinny: Mostly hairless with a bit of fur on their faces, feet, and legs

    • Teddy: Fluffy, medium-length fur that sticks straight up into a smooth, soft coat

    • Texel: Spirals of wavy fur with a part down their spine

    • White Crested: Unique two-toned fur; solid color short furn on the body with one white rosette on the forehead

How Your Guinea Pig Senses the World

Hearing

Your guinea pig has amazing hearing. They have three-and-a-half turns in the cochlea in their inner ear (you have two). This helps them hear higher-ranged sounds better than lower bass tones. Because they're so sensitive to sound, be sure to speak to your guinea pig in a gentle, soothing voice, and keep loud sounds (music, etc.) to a minimum in your cavy's area.

Vision

Guinea pig eyes are dichromatic, meaning they only see two of the three primary colors (yellow and blue). This likely means the world they see is more muted than the one we see.

Their vision isn't the best. They can see movement from about five feet away, but the object needs to be about 12 to 16" from them before they know what it is. (Is it safe? Is it dangerous?) And they may not navigate distance or height well because of their poor eyesight. Keep this in mind when playing with your cavy and keep toys and yourself within close range. Also, it's a good idea to play with your cavy on the floor and not on an elevated surface, like a table or couch. They may not be able to perceive the edge and fall and injure themselves.

Fun fact: Cavies can see 340° — almost a full circle since their eyes are on the sides of their heads (instead of eyes that face forward, like yours do). Because of this, they have one blind spot directly behind their head. (Never approach them or pick them up from behind. You'll frighten them.)

Smell

Guinea pigs have very sensitive noses, about 25 times better than yours. This acute sense helps them tell the difference between friend and foe and find food — all at great distances. You may also see them touch each other's noses as a sign of greeting (and to smell each other). They even mark territory with their scent to claim it. As you build your bond with your cavy, they'll get to know you by your smell. To make sure they get to know the "real" you, consider washing your hands with scent-free soap to remove perfume or other smells before handling your pet.

Communicate

Guinea pigs love to communicate, and you can learn what they're telling you. Cavy sounds typically fall into these groups:

  • Clicks, chuts, and clucks: Low sound, like a frog croak; typically a sign of contentment and may be exploring their world; it may be a way to signal their location to other guinea pigs.

  • Tutts: Longer than a click, tutts are usually a sign of discomfort or fright; you may see other guinea pigs freeze while they try to figure out the threat.

  • Whistle, wheet, or wheek: long, loud and high-pitched, usually indicates excitement (playtime, mealtime, etc.).

  • Screaming, squealing, shrieking: high-pitched sounds indicating the cavy is unhappy, in pain, or in danger.

Touch

Guinea pig whiskers don't just make them look cute. Those whiskers help them navigate their environment. Packed with nerve endings, whiskers help the cavy determine how wide an object is (like a tunnel opening), the size of what's in front of them (like a piece of fruit), or how close something is to keep their eyes safe from injury.

Engaging with Your Guinea Pig: How to Build Companionship

To create a deep bond with your cavy, you want to learn the best way to approach and build companionship with them.

Of course, when you bring your guinea pig home, you're going to be excited to shower him with love and affection. We encourage you to resist this temptation! Give your guinea pig a day or two to get accustomed to his new home before you handle him.

Remember, cavies are naturally skittish (they are prey in the wild), and this adjustment period will help him get comfortable and see you as a friend. If you don't give him space, he may see you as a threat and be frightened and hide from you. When you bring him food and water, speak in a calm, soothing voice, then leave. It will be hard, but the space you give him in the beginning will be well worth it in the long run.

Fun fact: Guinea pigs are mostly diurnal (sleeping at night and awake during the day), which means they'll be ready to play when you are!

Pro Tip: Just like you, your pet can feel tired, overstimulated, or irritable at times. When this happens, they might nip a little to tell you they need some alone time. Give them a little space, and they'll be craving attention again soon.

Handle with care

When you pick up your guinea pig, always approach him from underneath and don't swoop down from up top. (You'll look like a predator if you do.) And when you set him down, be sure he's on a surface with traction, like a carpeted floor or blanket. Surfaces like tile or wood flooring is too slick (no traction), and he can be injured from a fall from your couch, coffee table, or dining table.

To pick up your cavy, place one hand under the chest (behind the front legs) and cup your other hand under the back legs to support the spine. Keep your grip firm and gentle (no squeezing!) while you lift him up and pull him to your lap or chest immediately so he'll feel safe. Always carry your small animal with both hands. Remember to keep your movements slow and gentle and speak in a soft tone so you don't startle your pet.

Pro Tip: When you hold your guinea pig in your lap, keep a towel under him to catch any droppings.

Interacting with your pet for the first time

Before you pick up your pet for the first time, think about things from his perspective: you're big, unfamiliar, and you smell different. It's safe to say your small pet may not like being picked up and may squeal, causing panic for both you and your guinea pig.

Create a safe environment for your pet by breaking this "skill" into parts. Remember to get down at his level and don't tower over him like a predator. And speak to your pet in soft, gentle tones throughout this process.

First, let your pet get used to the smell of your hand by gently bringing the back of your hand to his nose to smell. (Remember to wash your hands with scent-free soap.) Consider "bribing" him with a treat or fresh veggie. Once he appears to be OK with your hand, consider gently petting the fur on his head.

If he responds well to this, move the hand that's on his head to the front of his chest, and slowly bring your other hand to support his hind legs as described above. Keep your pet stable and confidently move him to your chest.

Pro Tip: If your guinea pig doesn't respond well to being held, try picking him up while he's in a comfy bed or sack, like the Kaytee Super Sleeper Cuddle-E-Cup. This can help take away some of the fear of being held. Just make sure your pig is well-supported and won't fall or jump out.

Cavies and children

Guinea pigs are small and cute and are obvious attractors for children. Naturally, kids will want to shower them with love and affection. But to your guinea pig, a child's squeals of delight might seem scary, their movements too quick, and their touch less than gentle. To keep everyone safe and all interactions pleasant and make great memories, all children need to be supervised around your guinea pig. And children under 5 should not be allowed to pick up the pet on their own.

Daily exercise

Guinea pigs crave playtime and exercise. It helps reduce boredom, keeps them physically healthy and their minds sharp. Plus, playtime is a great way to build your bond with your pig. Find a safe, enclosed space for floor time. In addition to toys and tubes, get creative with DIY projects. Search for "DIY guinea pig enrichment" for a few clever ideas.

Why guinea pigs don't run on wheels

Hamsters may love wheels, but these are dangerous for your cavy. Your guinea pig's back doesn't bend in a U-shape like a hamster's. Your piggie's back can be injured from playing on the wheel.

Teach their name

Choose a short name your guinea can quickly catch onto, and have patience. It might take weeks for them to catch on. Reward them with a treat or gentle head scratch when they look at you when you say their name. Combining their name with a hand gesture and eye contact might help them catch on faster.

Grooming

Proper grooming involves brushing, nail trimming, and occasional baths.

  • Bathing: Guinea pigs are very clean pets, so you won't need to bathe them often. However, longer-haired breeds might need a bath more frequently. A shampoo for kittens and a shallow bowl of warm water will do the trick. Be sure to dry your pet thoroughly with a towel before returning to their habitat. You can also spot-clean them with a damp washcloth.

  • Brushing: While longer-furred guinea pigs need daily brushing, any breed will appreciate the attention. Use a soft-backed brush or a metal greyhound comb.

  • Hairless guinea pigs may need a little unscented baby oil rubbed on their skin from time to time to keep it soft.

  • Nails: Your pet will also need their toenail trimmed about once a month if there's nothing in the habitat to help wear them down. A common fingernail clipper or the Kaytee Pro-Nail Trimmer will do the job well. (The small opening of a fingernail clipper will prevent you from clipping the toe.) If this all sounds too stressful, your veterinarian can take care of the nail trimming for you.

Pro Tip: To avoid cutting the quick when trimming your guinea pig's dark-colored nails, shine a light behind the nail to help locate the quick. (The quick is living tissue inside the nail and contains blood vessels.)

Importance of Sociability

Guinea pigs are generally very social creatures. So social, you will need two. Keeping a pair will help improve their mental stimulation, and they can teach each other how to interact in their environment.

They often thrive best when kept with another cavy of the same sex. (We do not recommend you keep a male and female together. Females go into heat about every 16 days.)

How to Introduce a New Pig

When bringing a new guinea home, set the new guinea pig up for success when introducing him to your established guinea pig.

When you first bring your new cavy home, quarantine them for two to three weeks in separate rooms to keep your guinea pigs from passing infections to each other. Be sure to change your shirt and wash your hands and arms after every interaction. This helps ensure you don't pass infections between your two guinea pigs.

After quarantine, move the new cavy's habitat/crate to the same room as your established guinea pig. Keep their crates close enough to each other where they can get used to each other's scent and sounds. (Remember, guinea pigs have excellent noses and ears.)

Pro Tip: Consider "scent swapping," where you swap out some bedding or other items into each other's crate to help them get used to each other's scent in their space.

Next, introduce them in a neutral space that's open and pet-proofed. It's important the space is neutral to avoid a "turf war." Keep food dishes out of the space, but it's OK to give both pets treats. (Gotta remain fair!) Watch them for about an hour. If they get along, move them to a large, clean cage and watch them for another hour or so. If they fight, separate them with a towel so you aren't bitten.

Housing & Habitat Requirements

Your guinea pig needs a home where he feels safe and loved. Here's how to set that up.

Habitat size requirements

Try to get the largest habitat possible since your guinea pig needs plenty of room for exercise and play. The habitat should be at least 30 inches long by 15 inches wide by 15 inches high. Ideally, it's good to have seven square feet for one guinea pig, adding an additional square foot or two per extra guinea pig.

Other things to consider for the ideal habitat

Keep these recommendations in mind when setting up your guinea pig's habitat:

  • Guinea pigs need a solid, smooth cage floor. Wired grids can hurt their feet and make them sore and inflamed.

  • Guinea pigs don't jump, so you may only want a cage lid if you have another pet or child who needs to be kept out.

  • Average household temperature shouldn't exceed 80°F. Guinea pigs love 65- to 75-degree environments.

  • Keep the habitat away from direct sunlight and drafty areas.

  • Avoid placing the habitat near high moisture areas, like laundry rooms or damp basements.

  • Clean the habitat weekly with mild soap and water. Make sure you rinse the soap off thoroughly and the habitat's dry before putting your guinea pig back in.

  • Keep a water bottle, untippable food dish, hideouts for sleeping and sneaking away, and bedding in the habitat.

Pro Tip: If you have more than one pig in the habitat, be sure to have a food bowl and hay feeder for each pig, plus enough hideouts for everyone to have choices. This helps prevent fighting from starting up in the first place.

Importance of hideouts

Remember, guinea pigs are prey in the wild, so they may get nervous if a larger pet (like a cat or dog) or a strange person hovers over their cage, and they have no place to go. Also, guinea pigs use their hideouts as beds for sleeping. (No one wants to sleep with one eye open!) Give your cavy a sense of security by placing a couple of hideouts in the habitat.

Indoor playtime

While your guinea pig's main place of residence is the habitat, they do benefit from playtime outside their space. However, don't let your guinea pig roam freely in your home. Be sure to keep him corralled and safe in a guinea-pig-sized playpen.

Allowing him free access to your home makes him vulnerable to injury. Cavies can chew on things they shouldn't, like electric wires and toxic plants. They're also easily accessible to cats, dogs, ferrets, and other predator pets. Also, guinea pigs can be stepped on accidentally. (They are really small and can go unnoticed!) So keep a close eye on your small pet when he's out and about.

Habitat product recommendations

The Kaytee Open Living Habitat is a great choice for your guinea pig, with either eight or 12.6 square feet. And it can connect to other open-living habitats to make it even bigger. The habitat has an open top for easy access, a waterproof liner, ramp covers, and an optional roof sold separately.

Cage accessory product recommendations

Add these accessories to make your guinea pig's habitat a home:

Bedding

Choosing the right bedding is a big part of creating the perfect habitat for your guinea pig. This keeps your pet's habitat clean and provides a safe, cozy place to sleep and relax.

Variety of different substrates & litter

You have many options when it comes to the bedding and litter (substrate) for your guinea pig's home. Choosing the right one is important to the well-being of your pet. Some substrate options include:

  • Soft paper bedding: Less dusty than other substrate options and helps to control odor.

  • Paper pellets: Easy to clean up, but less absorbent and less effective at odor control.

  • Fleece: Good for cushioning the cage floor as a liner and is a reusable (washable) option. Less absorbent than other substrates; feces may cling to it instead of dropping to the bottom of the habitat; and urine smell is more difficult to get out of fleece, even after multiple washings.

  • Wood pellets: Good substrate for litter boxes. Tends to dissolve instead of absorb urine. Does not stick or cling. Produces less dust than wood shavings.

  • Non-aromatic aspen shavings: The only type of wood shaving safe for your pet's bedding, but less absorbent than soft paper bedding.

Avoid these bedding materials:

  • Cedar and pine products: Natural oils in the wood may cause respiratory problems for your pet.

  • Sawdust: Too dusty for delicate lungs and may cause respiratory problems for your guinea pig's sensitive respiratory systems.

  • Straw: May injure your pet's eyes, as straw is hard and sharp.

  • Raw corn cob: Can mold and be dangerous for your pet if ingested.

  • Cat litter: Can cause digestive issues if ingested and respiratory issues due to dust.

  • Newspaper: Less absorbent than other substrates and may use unsafe inks.

Using the substrate in the habitat

If using a paper or wood bedding substrate, loosely cover the habitat's floor with one to three inches of bedding. At least once a week, remove all bedding and wash the enclosure with a mild soap solution. Rinse the cage thoroughly with clean water to ensure you get all the soap out. Always replace the used bedding with fresh bedding. You may need to change the bedding more frequently depending on the habitat's size and how many pets call the habitat home.

Litter training your guinea pig?

If you decide to litter train your guinea pig, be sure to set up a litter box that's easy to climb into while also being big enough for your pet to move inside freely. (One good option is the Kaytee Hi-Corner Litter Pan.) And choose a different substrate for the litter box so your guinea pig doesn't confuse his potty with his sleeping and play areas.

Check out our litter training story for a step-by-step guide on potty training your guinea pig.

Why Kaytee bedding is a great choice

Many small pet brands make paper bedding. But it's where the paper comes from that makes the most difference. When you select Kaytee Clean & Cozy paper bedding for your guinea pig, you can be confident the paper material used is sourced from high-quality stock. Kaytee uses premium paper types intended for humans instead of the less-refined, leftover "sludge" byproduct used by most other brands. (It's not even good enough to make paper!)

When looking for bedding, absorbency and odor control top most pet parents' wish lists. And Kaytee builds both into all their bedding products. Some products, like the Clean & Cozy line, absorb up to six times its weight in liquid and guarantees odor-control or your money back. Plus, the bedding is safe if your pet ingests it.

Besides using high-quality paper, Kaytee's process for small pet bedding eliminates 99.9% of dust from its products, helping to keep you and your pet's environment clean and your pet's respiratory system healthy.

Bedding product recommendations

  • Clean & Cozy Extreme Odor Control Bedding: Soft and fluffy bedding encourages burrowing or nesting, and it's 99% dust-free for a clean and healthy habitat. Provides 14 days of odor control or your money back.

  • Clean & Cozy Natural Paper with Extreme Odor Control Bedding: Made with 100% recycled natural paper and naturally neutralizes odor for 14 days guaranteed or your money back.

  • Clean & Cozy Natural Bedding: Super soft and fluffy. Absorbs five times its weight in liquid and two times more liquid than wood shavings. Guaranteed to control odor or your money back.

  • Clean & Cozy White Bedding: America's #1 White Paper Bedding.* Super soft and fluffy. Absorbs six times its own weight in liquid. Guaranteed to control odor or your money back.

  • View all our bedding products here. FOR THE PRINT VERSION: View all our bedding options at www.kaytee.com/all-products/small-animal/bedding or via this QR code. [INSERT QR CODE]

*Based on Nielsen data 9/7/2024.

Nutrition

A nutritious diet is one of the best ways to keep your guinea pig healthy. These little piggies are veggie-loving herbivores that need roughage, fresh produce, fiber, and vitamin C to stay healthy. As always, consult your veterinarian for your pet's specific needs.

Let's start with the basics.

  • Your guinea pig will benefit from a mix of dry and fresh foods.

  • Follow the recommendations on your chosen food's packaging to determine how much dry food to feed your guinea pig every day.

  • Aim for one cup of fresh food daily. Fresh food should be heavy in veggies and light in sugary fruit. Some good veggies include turnip greens, romaine lettuce, a small piece of carrot, and green or red pepper. (Keep variety in your pet's diet by mixing up the types of produce you offer.)

  • Take the produce out of the cage after a few hours when it begins to wilt.

  • Be sparing with produce like spinach, kale, or parsley, as these are high in calcium, and guinea pigs are at high risk of developing bladder stones.

  • Guinea pigs are natural foragers, so foods encouraging this activity can keep them extra happy. You might lean into this by setting up an obstacle course of paper towel tubes and carefully tucking food inside.

  • Foods to avoid: processed foods, meat, cheese, candy, chips, crackers, chives and their cousins, chocolate, potatoes, fruit seeds, dairy products, cruciferous vegetables that can cause gas, and iceberg lettuce (little nutritional value).

Note: Foraging is the instinctive activity where your guinea pig searches for and gathers food.

Supplement with hay

Your guinea pig needs access to timothy hay at all times. And it should make up about 85% of your pet's diet. Timothy hay is a great source of fiber, which ensures their digestive system runs smoothly, and helps with dental health.

Timothy hay comes in first and second-cut varieties. First cut has longer, fibrous stems, fewer leaves, and a crunchy texture with a hearty taste. It's higher in fiber and has less protein and fat than second cut. First cut supports your cavy's dental and digestive health. Second cut is leafier, slightly sweet, and softer. It also has a slightly higher protein and fat content and less fiber than first cut. Because of its texture, it tends to be the more popular of the two cuts to serve small animal pets.

Neither is necessarily healthier than the other and which types you lean into (or a combo) depends on your pet's unique nutritional needs. So be sure to consult with your veterinarian.

If your pet is older than six months, don't include alfalfa hay as a major component of your pet's diet since it's rich in calcium and can cause bladder stone issues. But it can be used as an occasional treat. If your pet is younger than six months old or is pregnant or nursing, you can give them alfalfa hay or pellets. (But check with your veterinarian for portion size!)

Importance of vitamin C

Guinea pigs don't produce vitamin C, so it's vital their food includes it. Aim to provide about 30 mg of vitamin C every day in their food or supplements. The Kaytee Super C Bites pack the vitamin C your pet needs in a tasty snack made with timothy hay, cranberry, and orange. Give your piggie one or two biscuits daily as a fun way to sneak in this essential vitamin your pet needs.

Why should you offer treats in addition to the regular diet?

Your guinea pig will love a little variety, so pet-safe treats are always a great idea! A treat can be a great reward when litter training your piggie or teaching their name. Plus they're great for bonding! They also can encourage foraging if you hide them around the habitat. By hiding snacks for your cavy to find, you give them the opportunity to express this desire and keep them engaged in their habitat.

Pro Tip: Treats shouldn't account for more than 10% of your pet's daily food intake.

Product recommendations

Not sure where to begin? We've got a few high-quality product recommendations to help you get your pet's diet off to the right start:

  • Food products:

    • Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Guinea Pig Food: Veterinarian-recommended brand of pelleted food designed to support digestive health. The proprietary Nourish + Protect formula combines the power of superfoods, prebiotics, probiotics, and antioxidants to promote a healthy gut and immune system.

    • Kaytee Fiesta Guinea Pig Food: Veterinarian-recommend food brand packing diverse ingredients for variety, fun, and enrichment in every bite. The mix of fruits, veggies, seeds, and grains supports dental health by encouraging chewing activity and supports digestive health with prebiotics and probiotics.

  • Hay products:

    • Kaytee Timothy Hay: Hand-selected to ensure proper leaf-to-stem ratio for digestive health. Naturally grown without pesticides.

    • View our total hay selection here. FOR THE PRINT VERSION: View hay options at www.kaytee.com/all-products/small-animal/hay or via the QR code. [INSERT QR CODE]

  • Treat products

    • Super C Bites: Contains long-lasting vitamin C, fiber-rich timothy hay, and irresistible cranberry and orange.

Toys & Chews

Toys and chews are an essential part of your guinea pig's daily routine and can help your pig be mentally and physically healthy. Guinea pigs are naturally curious creatures that enjoy discovering new things. Toys and chews help prevent boredom, too. Because just like you, a bored cavy is a sad cavy.

Like your fingernails, their teeth don't stop growing. Your cavy needs tough material to gnaw on to keep their teeth from getting too long and causing health issues. Look for toys and chews specifically designed to help keep your guinea pig's teeth trim and healthy. Many pull double-duty as puzzles to help keep your pet's mind sharp.

Product recommendations

The Kaytee Story

Carefully crafted and trusted by experts for over 150 years, Kaytee is the small animal champion. As a veterinarian-recommended brand, our passion for guinea pigs and other small animals has inspired a long line of innovations in nutrition, bedding, habitats, accessories, and toys.

Being a leader in the small animal community comes with responsibility and expectations. And we understand the deep-rooted relationship between people and their pets. So, we're dedicated to supporting new pet parents to help them build deep connections with and care for their new best friend.

We believe all small animals should get the care they deserve. Our products are made with only the best materials and are always designed for your pet's well-being. You can see that commitment through our innovation and our expertise. We put your pet first, giving you peace of mind when choosing products to care for your furry BFF.

Want to learn more about guinea pigs? Check out these articles!

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