How to Raise Guinea Pigs? Suitable Environment and Lifespan Explained

The guinea pig, also known as the cavy, Dutch rat, or Dutch pig, has a short but strong and powerful body, lives in burrows, is active at night, and feeds on plant-based food. So, what environment is suitable for raising guinea pigs? How do you raise them? How long do they live?

1. What environment is suitable for raising guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs like a quiet, dry, clean environment with group living, and they need a fairly large area for activity. They are easy to raise, but their ability to regulate body temperature on their own is poor, and they are quite sensitive to changes in environmental temperature. The most suitable temperature for raising guinea pigs is between 18°C and 20°C.

2. How do you raise guinea pigs?

To keep the cage dry, it is recommended to use a ball-bearing water bottle. For the guinea pig's food bowl, avoid choosing plastic or other materials that can be gnawed; choose ceramic or stainless steel, with a certain weight that is not easy to knock over. Add feed once in the morning and once in the evening; guinea pigs are nocturnal animals, so feed them a bit more at night.

Note: Do not feed guinea pigs onion, scallion, garlic, chives, ginger, chocolate, or coffee. Guinea pigs have a relatively high demand for cellulose, which should be fully taken into account in the feed. A low proportion of crude fiber in the feed can easily cause severe hair loss and mutual hair-eating in guinea pigs.

3. How long do guinea pigs live?

The average lifespan of a guinea pig is between 4 and 5 years. According to the 2006 Guinness Book of Records, the longest-lived guinea pig survived for 14 years and 10 months.