Guinea pig sizes by month. How long do guinea pigs live at home?

Guinea pigs can end up in a family at any stage of their lives. If there are no documents for the animal confirming the date of its birth, the new owner will have to determine its lifespan by appearance and other signs.

It is important to do this at least approximately, since the physiological state of the animal and proper care for it very often depend on the date of its birth.

Into the light sea ​​“piglets” appear weighing from 45 to 90 g. It all depends on the age of the mother and the number of cubs in the litter. Not least important is the heredity and breed of the animal.

Animals born with a body weight of less than 35 - 40 g have almost no chance of survival, even if the owner begins to hand-feed them.

The body length of a newborn rodent is about 8 - 9 cm. The cubs feed actively and immediately begin to gain weight.

As soon as the weight of the female approaches 0.6 - 0.7 kg, and the weight of males approaches 0.8 kg, the growth of the animals slows down, but does not stop completely. The rate of growth and weight gain depends on individual characteristics.

If you follow the basic rules of keeping and feeding rodents, they stop growing by 14 - 15 months.

When do they become sexually mature?

Guinea pigs are fast maturing animals. The ability to reproduce in young pigs occurs quite early.

Males can mate and give birth to offspring already at the age of 2.5 - 3 months, and females come into heat starting from 35 - 45 days.

It is contraindicated to deliberately create pairs or allow rodents to be bred so early.

A young female, weighing less than 500 g, rarely produces strong, viable offspring. During the birth process, not only the offspring, but also the adult animal can die.

Physiologically, although a pig can mate, its body has not yet fully formed, and the birth canal is too narrow. A guinea pig can become pregnant without health risks at 5-6 months, and the male reaches optimal readiness for reproduction at 10-12. Starting at this age, pets can mate.

When deciding to breed their animals, the owner must be prepared for the fact that rodents for veterinarians are not the usual cats and dogs. They simply may not have enough skill and experience in managing childbirth in such relatively small animals.

To avoid early and unwanted matings It is better to keep animals in same-sex groups. And a male should be placed with a female only for planned and thoughtful reproduction. If the couple is of breeding interest, then it is advisable to plan the first birth before the female reaches 12 months.

Considering that pregnancy lasts up to 62 - 68 days, then the best time for mating females comes from 6 to 8 months.

How can you find out how many days, months or years your pet is?

Newborn sea “piglets” are born as fully formed animals. Their body is covered with fur, their eyes and ear canals are open, and their mouth already has some teeth. Having dried, they begin to play and move actively.

If a pig comes to the owner without accurate information about its age, then it can be determined by indirect signs. The average weight of newborn babies of this animal is 50 - 60 g, but it can be 40 and 90 g. If there is one cub in the litter, then it can weigh 100 g.

In some cases, the weight of a newborn can exceed 100 g; there are examples of the birth of pigs weighing 140 g.

Despite the fact that almost immediately after birth, pigs become interested in adult food, They actively feed only on their mother's milk. The rate of increase in body length and weight depends on individual and breed characteristics:

  • after two weeks the weight doubles; if the newborn weighed 90 g, then by day 15 his weight approaches 180 - 190 g, body length is 10 - 12 cm;
  • by 16-18 days the weight is 200 g and the length is 14 cm;
  • at 5-6 weeks the young animal weighs 0.4 kg, and its body length reaches 16 - 20 cm.

We can conclude that by the 45th day the animal weighs 4 - 5 times more than at birth, and its body length increases by 1.8 - 2.0 times. From this period until 17 weeks, the pig grows well, increasing both weight and body length.

When the female gains 0.6 - 0.7 kg, and the male 0.7 - 0.8 kg, the growth rate slows down; animals usually reach this weight at 10 - 12 months. The body length of such rodents is already 23 - 25 cm.

By 15 months the animal stops growing. It weighs 0.8 - 1.2 kg, its body length is 27 - 35 cm. Males of large breeds can gain up to 1.5 - 1.8 kg.

Height and Weight Chart

You can also make a comparative table of the ages of guinea pigs and humans. It is impossible to completely correctly compare the development of a person with the development of a mumps of similar age. After all, a newborn baby does not walk yet, but baby pigs run around from the first day of life.

Puberty by human standards in pigs begins at 5-7 years, and in humans only at 12-15 years. Only a rough comparison can be made.

Age comparison table by human standards

At what age are babies given away?

Starting from the 21st day, sea piglets can exist quite successfully without their mother. However, purchasing an animal at this age is only possible as a last resort. If possible, then It is advisable to inspect the entire litter and choose the most well-fed and active animal. The weight of a properly raised rodent should be 200 - 250 g.

But even if the choice has been made, it is better not to rush and It is better to take the animal home within 45 days. By this time, the animal gains a body weight of 450 g.

If you plan to breed purebred pigs, then it is advisable to buy an animal already at 60 - 75 days, when the animal already weighs 0.6 - 0.7 kg and the breed characteristics are clearly visible.

A pig 2-4 years old is considered a young animal. It has an adult weight of 0.8 to 1.2 kg. Such individuals can be purchased for breeding.

The weight of pigs over 6 years old begins to decrease. You can distinguish an old animal from a young one by its duller fur, which is prone to falling out.

Guinea pigs live on average 6-8 years, Therefore, such a rodent is considered very elderly and is not worth buying. To avoid unscrupulous sellers, it is advisable to choose a pet in trusted stores or specialized nurseries.

It is believed that all domesticated guinea pigs, regardless of breed, have the same life expectancy, and the decisive factors that influence this indicator are care and nutrition. Breeders insist that long-haired and hairless pets have significant differences related to physiological characteristics and especially immunity.

On average, guinea pigs live 5-8 years, depending on the breed and living conditions. Proper care and nutrition will help extend the life of communication with your pet.

Guinea pig breeds and lifespan

Wild rodents are more resilient, and their lifespan in captivity is 15-20 years. In the natural environment, they live no more than 8 years due to destruction by predators and diseases.

Breeders have bred over 80 breeds of guinea pigs, differing in color, size, and coat structure.

Hairless

The hairless guinea pig lives a long time, but needs special care

These breeds include Skinny and Baldwin. These are exotic rodents that have fur only on their faces and a little on their paws. At first, the animals could only live 3-4 years, but breeders managed to increase their lifespan to 8 years.

In order for a pet to please its owners for a long time, it needs to create the appropriate conditions. Due to the lack of fur, the heat-loving rodent is very sensitive to temperature changes, so the temperature should never fall below +22 degrees or rise above +25. It is advisable to place it not in a cage, but in a terrarium where there are no drafts.

Shorthair

The rosette guinea pig lives shorter than its relatives

These breeds include:

  • Teddy;
  • rex;
  • agouti;
  • Abyssinian;
  • Dalmatian;
  • self;
  • satin;
  • American Crested

These guinea pigs live 7-8 years. With proper care, the satin or Dalmatian guinea pig will please the owners the longest, while the rosette guinea pig (also known as the Abyssinian guinea pig) will please the owners the least of all. Her lifespan is 6 years. The pet is very capricious in care, susceptible to diseases, and needs constant communication. If it is not possible to give the animal a lot of attention, it is recommended to place a friend of the same breed with it so that it does not get bored.

Longhair

Long-haired rodents are characterized by good health and long life expectancy.

These centenarians, with proper care and maintenance, can live up to 10 years. They are distinguished by excellent health and immunity. In order for your pet to always look neat and tidy, you need to comb it daily, bathe it more often, and rub in vitamin ointments to keep its fur soft and silky.

Representatives of this group are the following guinea pigs:

  • texel;
  • merino;
  • Sheltie;
  • alpaco;
  • coronet;
  • Peruvian.

How to extend the life of a pet?

The lifespan of guinea pigs is influenced by the following factors:

  • nutrition;
  • conditions of detention;
  • care;
  • disease prevention;
  • genetics.

Nutrition

The pet's diet should be balanced: 60% consists of special feed purchased in pet stores, 20% - fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, another 20% - hay, crackers. Since such a rodent is prone to overeating and obesity, it is recommended to teach it to eat 2-3 times a day at the same time in order to immediately remove leftover food. There should always be water in the drinking bowl; liquid vitamins can be added once a week.

It is strictly forbidden to feed your pet dairy and fermented milk products, fish, meat, salty, fatty, spicy foods, as this may cause serious digestive problems.

Terms

The cage must be spacious so that the animal can move freely

A guinea pig needs a spacious “house” measuring at least 30 by 40 cm in length and width, and 50 cm in height. It is recommended to purchase a cage or terrarium of appropriate size with labyrinths, a wheel and toys. In a smaller area, the rodent will not be able to run and move freely, which will lead to a decrease in activity. A sedentary pet suffering from obesity will live half as long as its healthy and vigorous relative.

The cage should be kept away from heating devices, since dry air leads to dry skin, especially in hairless guinea pigs. It is strongly recommended to avoid drafts, since the rodent dies of pneumonia within 2 days. The air temperature should never fall below 18 degrees.

Water bowls and feeders need to be washed daily, and the cage every week. The sawdust should be of medium size (4-8 mm), since very small shavings get into the eyes and respiratory tract of the animal, and too large ones can injure the paws. In the case of long-haired rodents, large shavings will become entangled in the fur.

It is strictly not recommended to use newspapers instead of sawdust, since the guinea pig can be poisoned by lead from printing ink. Cotton wool should not be used as a covering. Otherwise, the threads will wrap around the paws and pinch them, which can cause necrosis of the limbs.

Care

Using a special leash, you can take your pet for a walk outside.

Guinea pigs do not like water procedures, so they need to be bathed infrequently, but only when they become dirty. The hygienic procedure should be carried out in an isolated room without drafts, filling a basin with water at a temperature of +32 degrees. After bathing, the pet should be dried with a towel, you can use a hairdryer (if the rodent is not afraid of noise), and combed.

The guinea pig needs to be let out of the cage for a walk. The more active a pet is, the longer it will live. In the summer, you can take him outside on a special leash or harness, which are sold in pet stores. Before a walk, it is advisable to treat the wool with a tick and flea repellent.

You need to regularly examine your animal's teeth. Too sharp fangs interfere with vital functions, causing discomfort to the animal. It is advisable to visit a veterinarian every six months to assess your pet's condition. If necessary, your veterinarian will be able to file your teeth to the desired length quickly and painlessly.

Disease Prevention

Guinea pigs are susceptible to colds and infectious diseases, and problems with the digestive system. Warning signs indicating possible illnesses are:

  • lack of appetite;
  • shortness of breath and heavy breathing;
  • lethargy, drowsiness;
  • convulsions;
  • matted fur;
  • discharge from the eyes or nose;
  • diarrhea or constipation.

If there are visible changes in behavior or one of the above symptoms is observed, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. The specialist will determine the source of the disease and prescribe treatment. At the initial stage, you can improve the animal’s health in the shortest possible time, but delay can be fatal. It is strongly recommended not to self-medicate at home, since an incorrect diagnosis made on your own will lead to irreversible consequences.

In general, guinea pigs have good immunity and rarely get sick with proper care. They need to be vaccinated only in case of long-distance travel and only as prescribed by a veterinarian.

Genetics

It is recommended to purchase a guinea pig from a nursery, since there you can get comprehensive information about the animal’s parents and track its pedigree. If there were long-livers in the family, there is every chance that the pet will live longer than its relatives. The buyer is required to warn about genetic diseases, if any.

In a pet store, the seller will not be able to answer questions regarding the origin of the guinea pig. There are no guarantees that the animal is healthy and has no pathologies. The same danger awaits buyers who purchase an animal “hands-on” from strangers. To protect yourself from the stress associated with the sudden death of an animal, it is strongly recommended to take a pet from trusted breeders.

It differs from its wild counterparts in the width and roundness of its shape. The normal weight of a guinea pig depends on gender and breed. Males are larger than females, by about 20-25%.

The limits to which guinea pigs grow are influenced by genetics and the conditions in which the animal grew up and is kept. Monitoring the dynamics of parameters and comparison with the norm helps to monitor the health of the pet.

Conventionally, the life of a pig can be divided into 4 stages. The norms for weight and size may differ for different breeds, but for the dynamics of development they are common to all representatives of the species.

Life stages:

  • childhood - 0-3 months;
  • youth - 3 months - 1.5 years;
  • maturity - 1.5 - 5.5 years;
  • old age from 6 years.

The childhood period is characterized by intensive growth. The average weight of a newborn cavia is 50-140 g. The parameters are influenced by the age of the mother, living conditions during pregnancy, and the number of cubs in the litter. Usually the larger animals are those that were born first in the litter.

Baby guinea pigs are born quite large with fur and already with open eyes

How much a particular pig should weigh at 2 weeks can be determined by doubling its weight on the first day.

By the fifth week, the guinea pig's growth reaches 19 centimeters. Age is good for purchasing a pet. By this time, the animals are completely ready to be weaned from their mother.

Girls reach puberty around the 30th day of life, boys around the 70th day. . The rodent's body is still not fully formed, so mating at such an early age is not recommended.

In adolescence, the animal begins to show interest in the opposite sex. At 3 months, the difference in size between rodents of different sexes becomes clearly pronounced. The weight can be 10 times higher.

The formation of the body ends by the 6th month. The animal is ready to perform its reproductive function. The growth rate is decreasing.


The male is larger in weight and size than the female

The rodent becomes an adult at 15 months. Until these years are reached, kavias grow and gain mass. An adult guinea pig should weigh at least 700 g.

From the age of 4, age-related changes begin in the body. By the age of 6, your guinea pig may begin to lose weight. Reproductive function is disrupted, problems with the absorption of nutrients appear. Aging affects appearance, coat and mobility.

How big does a guinea pig grow?

The table below shows the approximate size of a healthy cavy, according to age. When comparing your pet’s parameters with the norm, you should take into account the specifics of its breed and individual characteristics.

Average table of growth norms

Age Body length
about weeks 8-9.5 cm
2 weeks 10-12 cm
3 weeks 14-15 cm
5 weeks 16-20 cm
7 weeks 21-23 cm
1 year 24-25 cm
15 months 27-35 cm

The record holders for size are rodents of the Kui breed. These guinea pigs grow to sizes 1.5-2 times larger than average: body length up to 50 cm, weight about 4 kg.

The growth of an adult stops at 1.5 years of age. By this age, a guinea pig of most breeds weighs less than 2 kg. Females gain 700-1200 g, and males 1000-1800 g. Body length does not exceed 35 cm.

Guinea pig weight table by month

Age Body weight (grams)
about weeks 50-120
0.5 months 90-180
1 month 145-240
1.5 months 200-300
2 months 350-400
3 months 500-700
6 months 650-800
1 year 800-1000
15 months 900-1500

The weight of an adult guinea pig is stable. Sudden changes in parameters are an alarming sign and require consultation with a veterinarian. Regular weighing and monitoring growth dynamics can help identify health problems in your pet in time.

Guinea pigs grow until they are 15 months old; after this age, significant weight gain can be a sign of obesity. The problem usually occurs against the background of a sedentary lifestyle and an imbalance in the diet.

Sudden weight loss can be caused by a lack of nutrients in the diet. The symptom is characteristic of a number of diseases. For some of them, losing weight is the only external sign. A thorough examination will be required to determine the causes.

Monitoring your guinea pig's weight

Experienced breeders monitor the weight of their young to ensure that the rodent is developing according to normal standards.

Information about the pet's parameters is also useful when the guinea pig becomes an adult. It is advisable to weigh yourself weekly.


Use a kitchen scale to weigh the pig.

In order to find out the weight of a guinea pig, you do not need special instruments. Floor scales are not accurate enough for people; it is better and more convenient to use kitchen scales. The animals tolerate the procedure calmly.

The device will show accurate readings when the pet is motionless. During weighing, you should distract the caviya with a treat or caresses.

Convenient weighing algorithm:

  1. Place the pig in a container of a suitable size.
  2. Place the bowl with the pet on a kitchen scale and record the weight.
  3. Remove the animal and note the weight of the empty container.
  4. Subtract the smaller number from the larger number.

In order not to forget the exact indicators, you can keep a special notebook - a diary. Measurement results should be entered along with dates. The data will be useful to the veterinarian in case of illness, so it is advisable to take the notebook to the appointment.

Video: Guinea pig weight

Weight and size of guinea pigs

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Guinea pig vision

Guinea pigs are often kept in city apartments. These pets are distinguished by their cute appearance, unpretentiousness in food, and unobtrusiveness. Animals get used to the owner and willingly make contact with him, but can remain alone without any problems, minding their own business or relaxing. How long a guinea pig lives at home largely depends on its care. It would be useful to know the main points of their content.

Description and breeds

The guinea pig belongs to the order of rodents. During the selection process, breeders bred about 50 breeds these animals having differences in hair, color, weight and other characteristics. There are even completely naked (hairless) guinea pigs.

Some breeds were developed through domestic crossbreeding and are never officially recognized. There are breeding animals. Exhibitions of international format are regularly held, where owners present both new and well-known breeds of guinea pigs. Among them:

As a result of crossing, many breeds have acquired hereditary predisposition to various diseases, which greatly affects their life expectancy. Thus, ordinary rosette pigs are longer-lived. Among them was an officially registered record holder who lived for 15 years.

Hairless rodents live an average of 5 years, but can live up to 8 years. The stronger of the hairless breeds is the Skinny, which appeared as a result of selection. Hairless Baldwins are the result of a random gene mutation and are quite painful.

The lifespan of guinea pigs in captivity directly depends on several factors: heredity, health, nutrition, care and living conditions. At home, your pet needs an equipped cage or small enclosure. The minimum dimensions of the house for one animal should be 40 x 40 cm, the height of the cage should be 50 centimeters.

Set up a better home for your pig in the far corner of the room, where direct sunlight does not reach and drafts do not penetrate. The bottom of the cage is filled with sawdust or purchased filler. A domestic pig must always have access to clean water and the ability to move actively; for this purpose, stairs and labyrinths are installed in the house.

The cage and all accessories contained in it, needs to be washed regularly, and replace the filler with fresh one. If you do not carry out regular cleaning, an ideal environment will arise for the development of pathogenic bacteria.

The rodent itself must also be periodically bathed with a special detergent, and the fur must be dried with a hairdryer after washing. As an alternative, you can use dry shampoo. It is rubbed into the fur with massage movements, after which it is carefully combed out. Also for care you will need a nail clipper and a comb if the animal has long hair.

Can extend the life of a pig shared content with a relative, because it’s much more fun for them. Two females get along well, especially if they grew up together from childhood. The female and male must be seated periodically. Guinea pigs are fertile, frequent pregnancies and childbirth will undermine her health and the pet will die before term.

Feeding

For a domestic pig to live long, it needs balanced diet. The menu should include:

  • special food;
  • vegetables;
  • fruits;
  • hay;
  • branches;
  • crackers.

Purchased food must be intended specifically for domestic guinea pigs, other grain mixtures may not be as useful, because the food formulation takes into account the characteristics of a particular rodent. As a percentage, the main share should be dry food (hay) - 60%, the rest is equally divided between solid (grain, peas, corn) and succulent food (vegetables, fruits, herbs).

Many breeders are skeptical about commercially advertised feeds, attributing to them a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract of domestic guinea pigs. These animals love to eat and are prone to obesity, so you should not overfeed them.

The impact of diseases on life expectancy

Symptoms of the disease may include decreased activity, poor appetite, hair loss, itching and sores on the skin, tremors, diarrhea, and increased thirst. In this way, colds and gastrointestinal diseases, pasteurellosis, rickets, helminthic infestation, conjunctivitis and other diseases can manifest themselves. If treatment is not started immediately, the domestic pig can easily die or cause illness in the owner.

How many years guinea pigs live can be influenced by dental problems rodent. Their incisors grow throughout their lives; if the excess is not cut off in a timely manner, the animal will die of starvation, as it will not be able to eat normally. This procedure can be successfully carried out in any veterinary clinic.

It’s good if you have the opportunity to let your pet walk around the apartment. Living in immobility can hasten the death of a pet, and walking makes it more resilient and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart.

In general, summarizing the answer to the question of how many years do guinea pigs live, we can say that:

  • In the presence of diseases, poor care and inadequate feeding, a pig can live for a maximum of three years.
  • The average lifespan of these animals is 5-6 years.
  • Given good housing conditions and timely treatment, a rodent can live up to 8-9 years.
  • Very rare specimens survive this period and become real long-livers.

The guinea pig, or cavy, can be seen in many homes. This pet takes up little space, is quite easy to care for and is not picky about its diet. How long guinea pigs live in captivity depends on how properly they are cared for and what to feed, what living conditions are created and how to maintain health.

What does life expectancy depend on?

A domesticated rodent with a funny appearance in the wild can live no more than 8 years. Most often, the life expectancy of guinea pigs, which is affected by the presence of life-threatening enemies in the natural environment, malnutrition and infectious diseases carried by wild rodents, does not exceed 5 years.

In captivity at home, guinea pigs live much longer with proper care and adequate nutrition - on average up to 15 years.

Cases have been recorded where a domestic rodent lives 20-25 years.

Among the main factors that influence how many years guinea pigs live are:

  • breed line,
  • genetic diseases,
  • adherence to diet,
  • complete care, supporting the immune system with vitamin complexes,
  • timely contact a veterinarian for qualified help in case of emerging health problems,
  • adherence to the vaccination schedule,
  • rational breeding use.

It would be advisable to choose a pet from competent professional breeders who will give you the opportunity to get acquainted with the family tree of previous generations. This will allow you to find out about the predisposition of the breed line to genetically transmitted diseases, which sellers in a regular pet store will not be able to tell you.

Breed influence

Modern breeders have bred more than 80 varieties of cavia, each of which, in the process of breeding, undergoes the procedure of crossing with its relatives. This process does not always have a positive effect on the quality of health of rodents and often perpetuates unnecessary genetic diseases that affect how long a guinea pig lives.

Hairless

The bred rodent, deprived of fur during the process of crossing, is included in the main risk group and lives the least and in terms of life expectancy pleases its owners. Together with the external characteristics fixed in the selection process within one species, these hairless rodents have received weakened immunity and do not live long.

In rare cases, the first hairless kavias reached an average of 4 years of life.

The maximum number of years that a hairless cavy lives does not exceed 6 years, and this is subject to all the basic rules for keeping and caring for the rodent.

Woolly kavias

Those breeds whose skin is covered with protective hair live much longer than their hairless relatives. So:

  • Abyssinians and Curlies, fastidious in their care and prone to various diseases, can live up to 7 years,
  • smooth-haired representatives of the Dalmatian and Satin lines will delight owners for about eight years,
  • agoutis, Peruvians, rexes, alpacas, with excellent health, along with teddies and selfies, live the longest and in many cases are ready to celebrate 10-year anniversaries.

Impact of diseases

How long a cavy can live in your home, even if it is a long-livers by breed, largely depends on the diseases carried by the rodent. The most dangerous diseases that threaten the life and health of a small pet:

Most of the above diseases are caused by improper maintenance and improper care of the rodent and appear in many cases due to neglect of the animal’s condition and poor diet.

Seemingly common health disorders in rodents can shorten the lifespan of a guinea pig, depending on subsequent complications and the severity of the disease, from one to three years.

Among the common causes of death of rodents are injuries they receive due to jumping, falling, or due to careless handling of household members. Even if the animal can be saved, the anesthesia it endured during surgical interventions shortens the actual lifespan of the cavy.

Impact of Content Quality

Cell

For home living, Kavia will need a fairly spacious cage, which is placed away from heating radiators and heating devices, where there is no access to direct sunlight. Even if the animal’s cage is quite large, it requires daily walking, since active movement has a beneficial effect on the balanced functioning of all organs of the animal.

In warm summer months, fresh air is beneficial for kavias. Caring owners walk their charges on special harnesses.

Temperature

An important factor when keeping a rodent to increase its life expectancy is the ambient temperature and the absence of drafts. A room that is too cool and wind blowing through the walls of the apartment can cause colds and deterioration in the health of your rodent.

It is especially important to maintain the necessary warmth for breeds that lack hair. The room where the cage with the rodent is located must be at least 22’-25’.

Humidity

Excessive dry air adversely affects the quality of the skin of hairless kaviyas, causing flaking and cracking, and affects the condition of the coat of other breeds, making it dull and leading to unseasonal shedding.

Excessive humidity also adversely affects the health of your pet, as it leads to the development of fungal skin diseases.

Vaccinations

Compliance with the vaccination schedule for breeds with weak immunity is one of the preventive measures on which the health of the rodent and, accordingly, its life expectancy largely depend. However, some breeds are able to resist various diseases, and owners are in no hurry to vaccinate, providing their pets with sufficient proper care.

For healthy breeds, it will be enough to treat them against fleas and ticks and carry out prophylaxis against intestinal infections.

Bathing

Taking warm baths and frequent water treatments is a real stress for a guinea pig. Therefore, if you want your pet to live as long as possible, try to wash your rodent as rarely as possible, it is better not to do this at all. In addition, after a forced bath, the guinea pig's fur needs to be thoroughly dried, and this is quite difficult to do, but it is necessary, since the risk of a cold will remain.

Influence of nutrition

How long a guinea pig will live in your home also depends on what you feed it. A balanced menu, which should include complete nutritional components, helps you live a long time without illnesses or health problems.

When planning a nutritious diet for your rodent, it is worth remembering that guinea pigs are herbivorous rodents.

What to exclude

You can extend the healthy life of your rodent by excluding from its menu:

  • all dairy products,
  • all meat and fish products, as well as poultry,
  • sweet and fatty, salty and spicy.