Raystede Top Tips for happy and healthy guinea pigs - Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare

Owning and caring for guinea pigs can be great fun and very rewarding but it is a big responsibility and a long-term commitment. Did you know that guinea pigs can live on average 5-7 years?

Providing for all your guinea pigs' needs is the best way of ensuring their physical and mental wellbeing, resulting in a long and healthy life.

Learn more about how to meet the needs of your guinea pigs by following Raystede's top tips!

Provide a suitable and stimulating living environment

A pair of guinea pigs need an indoor enclosure that’s at least 5ft x 2ft to keep them active and healthy. A larger group of guinea pigs will need a bigger enclosure - add an extra 3sq ft of space per guinea pig! A secure outdoor run, measuring at least 6ft x 3ft, can be provided on dry, warm days to allow your guinea pigs additional exercise and grazing opportunities.

Watch this video for a tour of Raystede's cavy cabin!

Promote natural behaviour and provide appropriate companionship

Did you know guinea pigs are very active animals? They can be awake for up to 20 hours a day!

Guinea pigs are sociable and are the happiest in pairs or groups. To prevent unwanted litters, ensure you neuter your male guinea pigs first.

As guinea pigs are sensitive creatures, they can get fearful of loud noises, sudden movements or getting picked up. To help them feel secure in their new home, they require enrichment such as hides, bridges, tunnels, feeding toys and big piles of hay for exploring and hiding.

Guinea pigs are not suited to living with other small animals such as rabbits.

Promote natural behaviour and provide appropriate companionship

Did you know guinea pigs are very active animals? They can be awake for up to 20 hours a day!

Guinea pigs are sociable and are the happiest in pairs or groups. To prevent unwanted litters, ensure you neuter your male guinea pigs first.

As guinea pigs are sensitive creatures, they can get fearful of loud noises, sudden movements or getting picked up. To help them feel secure in their new home, they require enrichment such as hides, bridges, tunnels, feeding toys and big piles of hay for exploring and hiding.

Guinea pigs are not suited to living with other small animals such as rabbits.

Preserve their health by protecting them from pain, injury and disease

Guinea pig’s teeth grow continuously throughout their life and chewing hay or grass is the best way to keep their teeth short. They are also not the tidiest of animals, so their enclosure requires daily spot cleaning and a weekly deep clean.

It's really important to check your guinea pigs for signs of injury and illness every day and seek veterinary advice if needed. Register your guinea pigs with a guinea pig-savvy vet and take them for regular check-ups.

In this video, learn how to give your guinea pig a health check.

Provide a nutritious diet and fresh water

Guinea pigs are herbivores and can consume their body size in food per day.

Feed each guinea pig unlimited hay, a small handful of fresh greens and two tablespoons of good quality nuggets every day. Avoid muesli style foods as they often contain unhealthy ingredients.

Guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C, so you will need to include some in their diet. Things like dark leafy greens, parsley and peppers are good sources of vitamin C.

Fresh water should always be available and changed daily. Water bowls allow for more efficient drinking, are more hygienic and are less likely to malfunction compared to water bottles.

Provide a nutritious diet and fresh water

Guinea pigs are herbivores and can consume their body size in food per day.

Feed each guinea pig unlimited hay, a small handful of fresh greens and two tablespoons of good quality nuggets every day. Avoid muesli style foods as they often contain unhealthy ingredients.

Guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C, so you will need to include some in their diet. Things like dark leafy greens, parsley and peppers are good sources of vitamin C.

Fresh water should always be available and changed daily. Water bowls allow for more efficient drinking, are more hygienic and are less likely to malfunction compared to water bottles.

Animals deserve to be happy and feel loved and giving them the right care and attention they deserve is very important for a healthy life!

If you need any advice about caring for your animals or have queries please get in touch. We are more than happy to help.

info@raystede.org / 01825 840 252

Or, visit our guinea pig care guide for more information.

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Find out more about the guinea pigs we have available for adoption below. If you have any questions please do get in touch.

Adopt a guinea pig