Content
- How long does a guinea pig live
- How to care for a guinea pig
- Common guinea pig diseases
- Guinea Pig Toys
It is very important to be clear about the longevity of an animal before adopting it, as we must be responsible for it throughout its life and if not, it is better not to have a pet, right?
Rodents, such as the guinea pig, are generally animals that can live very long lives if we offer them good care, social stimulation and enrichment of all kinds.
Wants to know how long does a guinea pig live? Continue reading this PeritoAnimal article to discover and learn about some tricks to maximize your pet's life.
How long does a guinea pig live
The life span of a guinea pig is directly related to several factors, such as the care it receives, food and health problems. In general, they are animals that live between 4 and 9 years.
Determining exactly how long a guinea pig lives is complicated and practically impossible to guarantee, for this reason we have established a margin of around 5 years, given that many piglets live to be 9 years old, while others only reach 3.
How to care for a guinea pig
The guinea pig is a 100% herbivorous animal, for this reason, one of the tutor's tools will be precisely food. He must know the fruits and vegetables that are good for the guinea pigs, as well as the forbidden foods for this animal.
Vitamin C is a special and super beneficial enrichment for guinea pigs. It is also critical that they have fresh water and hay at all times.
The tutor must also pay attention to the care that the guinea pig requires, in addition to feeding. Among them are the need to a wide space, as well as several tunnels and toys to enrich your life, as described in more detail below.
Finally, we add that the guinea pig is a social animal, so if you don't have a companion (which would be ideal), you should give him time and attention. In this way, the little pig will be stimulated and receptive to interacting with people.
Check out the video below from PeritoAnimal's YouTube channel with more information about good fruits and vegetables for guinea pigs:
Common guinea pig diseases
Before adopting one, it is essential that you know the common diseases that can affect a guinea pig during its lifetime. Only in this way will you be prepared and know how to act quickly when each one of them appears.
- Diarrhea is a more serious problem than it sounds, since with severe diarrhea the guinea pig can become dehydrated and die quite easily. If this happens, you should eliminate all green content from your diet and provide plenty of quality hay, as well as a veterinarian recommended treatment.
- Pneumonia is another of the most common illnesses that the guinea pig can suffer from. It is usually caused by stress, poor hygiene, or a sudden change in temperature. The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics.
- The guinea pigs are not able to produce vitamin C by themselves, for this reason, faced with a deficiency of this vitamin, this small rodent will be susceptible to suffer from scurvy.
- Tumors usually occur in older people, yet you should know that a guinea pig with a tumor can live for a long time.
- Guinea pigs can be susceptible to contracting intestinal or external type parasites if they come into contact with infected animals, faeces or food. Try not to expose the guinea pig to these situations and maintain an optimal level of hygiene.
- Finally, another important factor to highlight is the possible presence of fungi, the most serious being mycosis. The tutor should immediately go to the veterinarian if he detects the presence of fungi in his guinea pig as it can be contagious.
these are the most common guinea pig diseases. Remember that, in the presence of any suspicion, you should take your friend to the veterinarian, as rapid diagnosis can help to overcome a problem that could eventually be fatal.
Guinea Pig Toys
To end this article about how long does a guinea pig live It's important to understand the benefits of playing with your guinea pig. They are energetic animals, they like to interact with other animals and people, the games outside the cage help the animal to develop its mind and bring countless benefits to the pet's health, the guinea pig toys that are most pleasing are:
- Places the guinea pig can hide;
- Guinea pig chew toys are also among these animals' favorites;
- Guinea pigs love obstacles, like labyrinths, for example;
- These little rodents love toys that have a soft and smooth material, so they can bite and carry wherever they want;
there is a plethora of guinea pig toys which can even be made at home. The most important thing is to guarantee this little rodent a healthy life, with an enriched environment and lots of love.
Remember that there are some toys that should be avoided, such as exercise wheels and sliding balls, as they can cause back problems. After all, guinea pigs are very delicate animals that require some care, especially when carrying them. them.
Also watch the video from PeritoAnimal's YouTube channel on how to know if your guinea pig loves you:
If you want to read more articles similar to How long does a guinea pig live, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.