Guinea pigs make wonderful family pets: they are gentle, rarely bite and chat constantly. They are also more demanding than the small cages sold alongside them suggest. Get three things right — company, space and hay — and most of the rest follows.
Companionship is not optional
Guinea pigs are herd animals and a lone guinea pig is a lonely, often anxious one. The RSPCA and other welfare organisations recommend keeping them in compatible pairs or groups: two females, a neutered male with one or more females, or two males introduced young. Do not house guinea pigs with rabbits — rabbits can injure them and their dietary needs differ.
Housing: bigger than you think
Welfare guidance suggests a minimum of around 120 cm by 60 cm of floor space for a pair, and larger is always better; many owners build C&C (cubes-and-coroplast) enclosures that are two or three times that. Guinea pigs do not climb, so floor area matters far more than height. Indoors is easier in the UK climate; if they live outside, the hutch must be weatherproof, raised off the ground, predator-proof and moved indoors or into a shed in cold weather.
- Line the base with a thick layer of absorbent bedding — fleece over an absorbent layer, or paper-based bedding. Avoid cedar and pine shavings, which irritate the airways.
- Provide at least one hideout per guinea pig, plus tunnels and a hay rack.
- Spot-clean daily and fully clean weekly.
Diet: hay, hay and more hay
Around 80% of a guinea pig’s diet should be good-quality grass hay such as timothy or meadow hay, available at all times. It keeps their continuously growing teeth worn down and their digestion moving. Add a small daily portion of plain guinea-pig pellets (not a muesli mix, which encourages selective feeding) and a cupful of fresh vegetables.
Vitamin C every day
Like humans, guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C and will become ill without it. Fresh sources include bell peppers, kale, broccoli and small amounts of leafy greens; many pellets are fortified too. Avoid iceberg lettuce, onions, potatoes and anything sugary.
Handling and daily care
- Support the chest and bottom when lifting, and hold them against your body. Children should sit on the floor to hold a guinea pig.
- Check nails every few weeks and trim when they start to curl.
- Weigh weekly — steady weight loss is often the first sign of illness.
- Guinea pigs need floor time outside the enclosure every day in a safe, supervised space.
Signs to call the vet
Guinea pigs hide illness well. Not eating for even a day, drooling, laboured breathing, a hunched posture, diarrhoea or any wound needs prompt attention from a vet who sees small animals. Find a suitable vet before you need one.
Frequently asked questions
How long do guinea pigs live?
Usually five to seven years, sometimes longer with good care. They are a longer commitment than many people expect.
Can guinea pigs live outside in the UK?
They can live in a well-insulated, raised, predator-proof hutch with a run, but they struggle with damp and cold. Many owners move them into a shed or indoors from autumn to spring.
Do guinea pigs need a wheel or a ball?
No, and both can injure their spines. Give them floor space, tunnels and hideouts instead.
How much time does a guinea pig need each day?
Expect 20–30 minutes a day for feeding, spot-cleaning, health checks and interaction, plus a longer weekly clean.
