Guinea Pig (American)
A herd animal that needs hay all day, vitamin C every day, and a friend of its own species. The weight, exercise, and yearly cost figures below are ranges for a typical healthy adult. A licensed veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm the plan.
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Quick facts
| Weight | 1.5–2.6 lb (0.7–1.2 kg) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Grooming | 2 of 5 |
| Energy | 3 of 5 |
| Apartment | Suitable for many apartments |
What standard guides this profile?
There is no kennel-club standard for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, or ferrets. Husbandry on this page follows clinical exotic-pet practice in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Appetite, droppings, and hiding still matter more than a show type when you decide how urgent a sign is.
Daily calorie and portion estimation
A typical adult Guinea Pig (American) starts near 80 kcal/day, with about 60 minutes of steady daily activity. Enter the current weight in pounds (kilograms) in the calculator, because a lean animal and an overweight animal do not share the same portion.
Unlimited grass hay is the diet. Pellets are a measured supplement, and vitamin C must come from proper pellets, vegetables, or a veterinary plan; do not use rabbit pellets as the sole food. Measure meals in ounces (grams), and keep treats near ten percent of the daily calorie target.
Calculate Guinea Pig (American)'s Custom Food Portions →Common health predispositions
Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy)
UrgentWatch for: A rough coat, painful joints, or bleeding gumsCheck this sign in symptom triageDental malocclusion
UrgentWatch for: Dropping food, drooling, or losing weight while hay is availableCheck this sign in symptom triageRespiratory infection
UrgentWatch for: Clicking breaths, discharge, or sitting still and fluffedCheck this sign in symptom triageBladder stones
UrgentWatch for: Blood in the urine, crying while passing urine, or strainingCheck this sign in symptom triage
What should Guinea Pig (American) owners ask first?
Owners most often ask about housing, grooming, and which signs cannot wait. The answers below are educational ranges for a typical Guinea Pig (American), including weight in pounds (kilograms) and yearly costs in dollars and pounds. They do not diagnose the animal you live with.
Can a guinea pig live alone?
They are herd animals. A compatible companion of the same species, with enough hide space, is the welfare baseline; human visits do not replace another guinea pig. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.
Why is vitamin C mentioned every time?
Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C. A diet without a reliable source leads to scurvy, which is painful and can become an emergency. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.