guinea pig lifespan

Guinea Pigs are domestic beings. You can’t test for these kinds of genes, though. Guinea pigs have been even recorded to live for more than a decade, but that’s a rare view to be seen. Their eyes open soon after they are born. Guinea pigs have longer life spans than many other pet rodents. The guinea pig is a native of Peru, Brazil, and Argentina that was domesticated by the Inca Indians. Most breeds of guinea pig have the same hardiness and generally decent health. A common side effect of inbreeding to protect a pedigree is an overall loss in quality and vigor, known as “inbreeding depression.”. Abyssinian guinea pig typically lives around five years on an average. 2012. “The influence of genetics and inbreeding on disease”, In Practice. They’re also pint-sized adventurers who like mental stimulation. Thank you, Ksiusha To my knowledge, the breed of guinea pig … Somewhere between nine months to a year, guinea pigs reach their final size and weight and become adults. The longest lifespan of a guinea pig ever recorded is 14 years and 10.5 months. The average guinea pig lifespan is between 4-8 years. Some guinea pigs live longer or shorter lives, depending on these and other factors. Kurloff cells are a specialized type of white blood cell which kill leukemic cells, and protect guinea pigs from many spontaneous tumors. Clocks give you so many ways to customize you might need two so you'll have more time to choose. More recently, but unverified, a boar in Australia called Sweetie was reported to be seventeen years old when he passed away. 🙂. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That was 3.5 years ago. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is more precise; they say guinea pig life span is five to six years “but some may live longer.”. Start with the CARE GUIDE - Raising a Healthy Guinea Pig. Females mature in two months, males in three, and captive guinea pigs live up to eight years, although three to five is typical. On an average level, guinea pig life span normally exists from 5-7 years old. The remaining brother was the more dominant one of the two.. Hi Rachel, Sorry for your loss. ; Looking for a pet? Is a guinea pig’s lifespan determined solely by its genes? Distinguished by its smooth, short-haired coat, the American guinea pig is known for its lovable character and thus makes a perfect companion for animal lovers. The longer life span means more responsibility and a longer commitment, especially if you want your guinea pig to … Despite these important considerations, a guinea pig's long life span is really a blessing. You must also consider who will look after your pets when you are away on holiday. How to Ensure a Long, Happy Guinea Pig Life. Not on my bucket list, but I asked the people if I could bring them to my house. Do not feed chocolate, caffeine or alcohol as these can cause serious medical conditions. Grooming: Do not need to brushed but need extra bedding to prevent injury and can get sunburned and are extremely sensitive to temperature changes … Find a cavy-knowledgeable exotics vet soon after adopting a guinea pig so you know whom to contact in an emergency. Bradford, A. A well-balanced guinea pig diet consists of: 1. Here are the most important steps you can take to give your guinea pig a long life: Texel guinea pigs are a relatively new breed, and as such they are still being learned about. I have inherited a 7 year old Guinea Pig named Sam. Guinea pigs generally live for 5 to 8 years, assuming they do not experience any serious injuries or diseases sooner than this. Thread starter cami; Start date Jan 8, 2012; Status Not open for further replies. This is much longer than most other small pets, including other rodents such as mice (1-3 years), gerbils (2-4 years), and hamsters (2-3 years). The breed of guinea pig you are having in your home will figure out their actual life span. To improve the chances of letting your guinea pig reach a ripe old age, pay special … If you are buying from a breeder, ask lots of questions about their family tree. Teddy guinea pigs: One of the most energetic and extroverted personalities among the guinea pig breeds, the teddies can make you happy for an average of four to five years. Your guinea pigs' life span will depend on a number of factors, such as how well they are cared for, their diet, and whether they suffer from any serious illnesses during their life. A Guide To Guinea Pig Life... Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Girl Guinea Pig Names: Over 200 Great Names For Female Guinea Pigs, Bunny Names – All The Best Rabbit Names In One Place, Guinea Pig Breeds – Discover 13 Different Cavies, Guinea Pig Sounds: A Guide To Guinea Pig Noises, Cute Guinea Pig Names – 200 Unique Names To Choose From, Hamster Breeds – Differences, Similarities, and Choosing the Best One. Size and weight: 8-9 inches: ~2 pounds. One guinea pig should have a cage that is at least 30 inches by … However, the average lifespan for a Texel is known to be about the same as the average lifespan of a guinea pig of another breed, averaging from four to seven years, with eight at the outside. The wild guinea pigs have a shorter lifespan … We let the male baby nurse for 3 1/2 weeks. Having said that, there is only so much you can do to lengthen your cavy's lifespan, and even the most well cared for pet may die young through no fault of the owners. Unfortunately, many small pets (especially rodents) do not live long, so we must be prepared to eventually say goodbye. My guinea pigs are 3 and 2... is this old? Now, let’s take a look at some deciding factors. Many people are unaware there are homeless guinea pigs. 1 month is equivalent to 10 months old. Certain breeds of guinea pigsusually have a much longer lifespan. The daddy and the male baby are separated from the females. There’s always a chance that with good genetics, environment, and diet, you could end up with a long-lived guinea pig yourself! While a guinea pig doesn't live nearly as long as a cat or dog, they're still a large time commitment. You may find he starts to whistle to you when he gets to know you better. Guinea pigs can be lovely pets, but there are a few things you should know before making that big commitment. And of course, with guinea pigs being so adorable and cuddly, that’s exactly what we want! Guinea pig pedigrees are created and maintained by breeding like guinea pigs with like. Silkie Guinea Pig Life Span. History: two varieties of hairless guinea pigs: Skinny pig, which does actually have a bit of hair and the Baldwin guinea pig. Not unlike humans, a guinea pig’s life span is affected by genetics, environment and diet. Young children in particular can be very fickle, and you may soon find that they lose interest in their cavies, leaving you with the responsibility of looking after them. Abyssinian guinea pig life span: How long do Abyssinian guinea pigs live? However, some closely related cousins still survive in the grasslands of South America. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The best advice is to enjoy every minute you have with your pet, so that you have many happy memories to look back on after they pass away. Not unlike humans, a guinea pig’s life span is affected by genetics, environment and diet. I saw them in the back of a pick up truck on a freezing night. The first thing that you need to find out is how long do guinea pigs live. Do it the right way and Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig! Although they should not be breed untill they reach a weight of … If you have a pet guinea pig and are keen on it living to the maximum years possible of its lifespan, there are a few health indicators to be on the lookout for. Need the Basics? Many people are unaware there are homeless guinea pigs. Stressed guinea pigs also produce more cortisol, the “fight or flight” hormone. His buddy who shared his cage- died 2 weeks ago…. The average guinea pig life span is around 4-6 years, although some can live as long as 8 years. You’re probably wondering why there is a huge gap in their life cycle. Since these genes are usually associated with specific pedigrees, we’ll look at them in the next section. Average guinea pig life span is 5 to 8 years, but don't be surprised if your pet guinea pig lives up to 10 years. Nevertheless, if we assume that most guinea pigs will live for about 6 years, and the average human lifespan us 79 years, every guinea pig year is equal to about 13 human years. Factors That Affect a Guinea Pig’s Lifespan I was wondering what is the average life span of a guinea pig, and what can you do to extend their lifespan. Consult the EMERGENCY MEDICAL GUIDE for Signs of Illness. How long do guinea pigs live? Put simply, a bored or lonely guinea pig’s body will wear out sooner. 2013 “Longevity and mortality of owned dogs in England”, The Veterinary Journal. How long can you expect your guinea pig to live, under good circumstances? Our genes control the aging process at the very minutest level within our cells, and some of us simply inherit better genes for longevity than others. Avoid sugar and hig… November 10, 2019. in : Pets. This Basic Information Sheet reviews a variety of topics including natural history, breeds, diet, caging, normal physiologic values, anatomy/physiology, restraint, venipuncture, important medical conditions, as well as antibiotics to avoid. Abyssinians typically have an even number of rosettes, with the show-quality specimens having eight or ten swirls of hair, including two on their shoulders, two on their hips, two on their rump, and two or four on their back. Guinea pigs that live in safe, stress-free, comfortable environments tend to be much healthier and live significantly longer. pp. Because of the way these genes are inherited, a responsible breeder can protect future pups by not breeding two roan guinea pigs or two dalmatian guinea pigs together. Guinea pigs were apparently domesticated more than 3,000 years ago in Peru, coinciding with humans’ transition from a nomadic to an agricultural lifestyle. It’s important to make sure that your guinea pig eats well and has access to toys. What they eat and how much they weigh can also add guinea pig years or take them away. As far as their name goes, they do not have any connection to their name. Guinea pigs have a gestation period of about two months or a little more. A wild guinea pig lifespan is an average of 1 to 5 years, however, a pet guinea pig lifespan can be up to 8 years, which is why people prefer guinea pigs over hamsters that live no more than 3 years. The average life span of most guinea pigs is 5 to 8 years of age. Hello. In the last couple of decades some important advice about keeping guinea pigs has changed. How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? I can’t find an equivalent study in guinea pigs, but in 2013 Dr Dan O’Neill and colleagues at the Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom reported that mongrels live on average 1.2 years longer than purebred dogs. Guinea pigs live longer than many small pets, at up to 6 years. The guinea pig was first domesticated as early as 5000 BC for food by tribes in the Andean region of South America (the present-day southern part of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia), some thousands of years after the domestication of the South American camelids. Now let’s look at all the good news: the things we can do to help our guinea pigs live long and happy lives! Sources like the ones mentioned above indicate that they can live anywhere from four to eight years on average. 1,180. Find out how long their predecessors lived, and what their overall health was like. Introduce a new guinea pig slowly. But compared to other smaller pet animals, like pet rats, a lifespan of up to eight years seems quite generous! 0. On average, they live from four to eight years. There are many factors which will influence the lifespan of a guinea pig. He may lose weight, and become less energetic overall. Newborn guinea pigs come complete with fur and up to twenty teeth at birth. The corresponding advantage of outbreeding is called “hybrid vigor. The average life span of most guinea pigs is 5 to 8 years of age. Guinea Pig Life Span Facts Average Life Span is 5-7 years. Lifespan: 8-10 years. Prompt, competent veterinary care is crucial to saving the life of a sick cavy. On the highest average lifespan level, guinea pigs can live for around 14 years. Consider lifespan. However, this number can increase or decrease and is something that is … Academic Press. By admin. Guinea pigs on the other hand live much longer and grow to a much larger size. Part 1 Recognizing When Your Guinea Pig is Dying The American guinea pig is perhaps the oldest and most popular breed of domestic guinea pigs. The average lifespan of a guinea pig is 3-5 years, but they can live up to 8! Well guinea pigs can live pretty long. It does occasionally work, but often the only solution is to have a single guinea pig once one has passed away. The genes which code for roan and dalmatian coloring can also cause blindness, dental problems, and abnormalities within the digestive system. Guinea pigs have longer life spans than many other pet rodents. Some of these factors are beyond our control, but there are also lots of things we can do to help our guinea pigs stay healthy for longer. ; Is your guinea pig ill? It is important to not place any strict expectations on those average figures, though, as some guinea pigs live for longer than that and … Definitely not! A guinea pig whose parents and grandparents lived a long time might also be blessed with innate longevity. Weir, B. Sheltie guinea pigs – five to eight years ; Silkie guinea pig – with a silky, softsuffice and long coat, these breee has a span of five to eight years; Skinny guinea pig – these rodents have the longest lifespan of seven or eight years. They always get plenty of food and of course lots of cuddling and love. Squeaks and Nibbles is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, Squeaks and Nibbles is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 437–446. Feed them an appropriate and balanced diet. Guinea pigs need plenty of hay, fresh greens, and an appropriate dry food. It is difficult when they pass but since they all have been abandoned we know they at least had a good life at the end. Introduce a new guinea pig slowly. From about 1200 AD to the Spanish conquest in 1532, selective breeding resulted in many varieties of domestic guinea pigs. O’Neill, D., et al. The average lifespan for a domestic guinea pig is five to seven years, and there are many factors that can influence this. Teddy guinea pig – with the shortest lifespan, the teddy only gets to about four and five years old. Consult the EMERGENCY MEDICAL GUIDE for Signs of Illness. A domesticated guinea pig has an average lifespan of 4 – 5 years but some can live up to 8 years. The Abyssinian guinea pig is an adorable breed of domestic cavies popular for its unique coat and outgoing personality. Guinea Pig lifespan – The fat and fluffy pet you cannot live without! Guinea pig life span may last four around four up to five years or even more while hamsters and mice can only live for a couple of years. The Abyssinian guinea pig is an adorable breed of domestic cavies popular for its unique coat and outgoing personality. Firstly, boredom or loneliness often give rise to abnormal behaviors in guinea pigs. We’ll talk about those in more detail a little later. There are many anecdotes of exceptionally old guinea pigs. Breeding within a confined gene pool can also cause hereditary illnesses to become fixed, and even amplified in successive generations. Need the Basics? Diseases of Domestic Guinea Pigs. The breed is not the major factor over the growing environment of guinea pigs. How long they can live could also be affected by numerous other factors which shall be discussed further in the succeeding sections. Thousands of designs by independent artists. Stronger guinea pigs will be able to defend themselves against whatever life has to throw at them. So the only clues will be in their family tree, if you have access to it. We have usually 4 at a time and have lost some early in life and others live a little longer. These guinea pigs were brought to the US during the early 1900s and were originally called English guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are social animals but they aren’t above fights. While other small rodents like mice, hamster life for an average of 1-3 years, A guinea pig can usually live an average of 5-7 years with proper care. He may spend a lot more time sleeping than he used to. A Study; Antibiotics can kill a guinea pig in a week or less. However, factors such as environment, diet, exercise, and social requirements all still play a large part in guinea pig life span. And it’s likely that hybrid guinea pigs also live longer on average than pedigree guinea pigs. Guinea Pig Lifespan. How […] We adopt rescue guinea pigs. The oldest one we adopted was 5 years old who was left in a bix outside a pet store near where we live. Life Span of Guinea Pig On the Basis of Breed. About three months ago we rescued a pair of guinea pigs living in a tiny cat carrier. They live significantly longer than most hamsters and other rodents that many people keep as pets. According to the VCA, guinea pigs are “very prone” to developing urinary stones. The importance of hay in their diet is better understood and promoted, and welfare experts no longer recommend keeping guinea pigs with rabbits. Just like with humans, a cavy’s potential lifespan is stretched or shortened depending on factors such as diet, genetics, and environment. Get them checked over by a vet once a year, and seek treatment for health problems promptly in between check ups. Therefore, most of them can expect to have about the same lifespan. 02 of 07 Guinea Pigs Are Social However, they are so happy that it would have to be a home as good as mine or better! This variance can be due to the wide range of genetic and environmental circumstances that individual guinea pigs face. Keep guinea pigs in pairs or herds, and make sure they have access to a variety of enriching toys. Longevity is not always guaranteed by an overall healthy life, but it’s an important criteria though. One of my Guinea pigs has just died leaving behind his brother. Do you have a guinea pig? Today I Will Be telling you the lifespan of a guinea pig. While some have lived for over seven years as well, but those are rare case scenarios. Abyssinians typically have an even number of rosettes, with the show-quality specimens having eight or ten swirls of hair, including two on their shoulders, two on their hips, two on their rump, and … Most say that a Guinea Pig can live for about five years on average in captivity. The average guinea pig life span is around 4-6 years, although some can live as long as 8 years. Provided you can fulfil your cavy's needs for its whole life, you will be able to spend many happy years getting to know your pets and forming a special relationship with them. The lifespan of a guinea pig is 6 years less than that of a giraffe. Keep guinea pigs of the same sex or already spayed/neutered pairs. On the whole, they do tend to be fairly short-lived, unlike larger pets. This can be significantly affected by whether it’s in captivity or not and what breed it is. As far as guinea pig life span is concerned, they are not the same as traditional domesticated type of pets such as dogs and cats. These days, if you follow the most up to date advice for looking after guinea pigs, you should expect them to be at least a five or six year commitment. The optimal temperature range for a hairless guinea pig is 68 to 79 °F (20 to 26 °C), which is slightly higher than the optimal temperature range for the haired guinea pig. The longer life span means more responsibility and a longer commitment, especially if you want your guinea pig to live a healthy happy life. Guinea pigs live an average of five to seven years. Of all the different types of guinea pigs, the … If your guinea pig is nearing the end of his life, there are some things you can do to help make his last moments as comfortable as possible. Guinea pigs are furry critters that have an average lifespan of four to eight years. Size: 8 to 11 inches long . The American Cavy Breeders Association (ACBA) recognized it as the American guinea pig in the 1960s. Illness can shorten that lifespan considerably, but timely and proper care can address most health issues. Best of luck, and let us know how you get along! My male Guinea Pig Peanut, was 7 on the 5th May 2017. Guinea pigs originated in South America, where they were domesticated long ago. If your guinea pig is nearing the end of his life, there are some things you can … Originally, the first domesticated cavies were farmed as a food source. However some guinea pigs don’t live that long whereas others make it to a much riper old age. Some guinea pigs live longer or shorter lives, depending on these and other factors. The guinea pig is a native of Peru, Brazil, and Argentina that was domesticated by the Inca Indians. If you find that your guinea pigs are fighting, separate them with a wire shelf, which allows them to see and smell each other, but prevents them from fighting. While your guinea pig could easily be around for five years or more, mice and hamsters live just a couple of years. He reached an extremely stately fourteen years and ten months old. While your guinea pig could easily be around for five years or more, mice and hamsters live just a couple of years. 4. Hairless guinea pigs are not significantly physiologically different than regular haired guinea pigs, although they need to eat more to maintain body heat. Do it the right way and Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig! The guinea pig was first domesticated as early as 5000 BC for food by tribes in the Andean region of South America (the present-day southern part of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia). Remember their cage is their primary space for exercise unless you're able to take your pet out and monitor it for most of the day. Four hand colors. One option you could try asking your local animal shelters whether they have any solo male guinea pigs that you could attempt slowly introducing your boar too, to see if they are compatible. Guinea pigs with these problems often die prematurely when their digestive system fails. The no-longer-baby female guinea pigs are now sexually mature. Signs of these stones include anorexia and difficulty urinating, among others. However the human time and guinea pigs times are different. It bears repeating, however, that the average guinea pig lifespan is just that, an average, and that these figures are highly … Prolonged elevated levels of cortisol place a strain all of the body’s functions, including the heart and the immune system. Unfortunately, other genes can bring problems rather than protection. No natural population of this species exists in the wild. This article has been extensively revised and updated for 2019. Fruit and other treats are a fun way to bond with your guinea pig and make sure they’re getting enough vitamin C, but it’s important to find a healthy balance. Lucy. We put blankets and towels on the floor and we change them every couple days. The lifespan of theirs is dependent on multiple factors, though, and it is only with proper care that their survival power increases.The lifespan of the guinea pig may span over a decade based on the diet, medical treatment, and the breed. Hence on the average level, we normally mean that some of the pets are living with a long life span and some might die at a young age. This is often simply because of regular food, vet check ups, and lack of predators. Guinea pig life span is influenced by factors like genetics, diet, and environment. The Guinness Book of World Records entry for the world’s longest living guinea pig was a boar in England called Snowball. ; Is your guinea pig ill? Talk about a long-lasting guinea pig! Here are some possible signs that your guinea pig is entering the middle of his golden years. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest guinea pig ever lived a long life, much longer than the four year average: fourteen and a half years, more than three times the average lifespan of a guinea pig. As your guinea pig gets older, it’s ever more important to keep an eye on their health. I had 4 guinea pigs but one died last night at 8:39pm Sept 23rd 2018 and he was 7 yrs old. With hybrid vigor proven in other species, it’s quite likely that a mixed-breed guinea pig life expectancy may be a little longer than others. While other small rodents like mice, hamster life for an average of 1-3 years, A guinea pig can usually live an average of 5-7 years with proper care. A guinea pig’s lifestyle will also affect how long it lives. If this sounds like too much of a commitment then you might be best off considering another animal which does not live so long, and which will place less demands on your time. You can easily determine how long guinea pigs live by taking into consideration all these factors. Remember that you will need to feed them and give them water every single day during that time, and you will also have to play with them and clean out their cage frequently. Statues dating from circa 500 BC to 500 AD that depict guinea pigs … A domesticated guinea pig has an average lifespan of 4 – 5 years but some can live up to 8 years. Hi everyone! If left untreated, this condition could become life-threatening. If the total lifespan of the animals is 30 years, calculate the longevity for the giraffe. So where does it stop? Guinea pigs aren’t typically overeaters, but if their diet has too much sugar in it they could become overweight. This range of lifespans can vary, though, based on factors such as the type of guinea pig, the daily care that they receive, and a healthy amount of luck. They are also sociable creatures who like to be held once they get to know you. Because guinea pigs live for so long, you should take this into account when deciding whether they are the right pet for you. The UK animal welfare charity Blue Cross really hedges its bets: it puts the life expectancy of guinea pigs at four to eight years. There may also be changes in muscle tone. Guinea pigs usually have a longer lifespan as compared to other rodents. The female proceeded to give birth to 3 babies shortly thereafter. Require 30 to 50 mg of vitamin C daily from high-quality food, vitamin supplements or fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C. 3. Guinea pigs need as large of a cage as you can fit and afford, and many pet shop cages marketed for guinea pigs are actually too small. Pet breeds live an average of four to five years, but may live as long as eight. At just three weeks, it’s time to separate the boys from the girls. Unless you plan to present your guinea pigs at shows, or breed them for profit, then choosing a non-pedigree guinea pig is likely to increase the amount of time you have with them. Seven is a good age – hope he continues to stay well 🙂, Sadly tonight at about 10pm, little Peanut died cuddling on my lap watching TV. A guinea pig that is treated well will be much more likely to surpass the average lifespan, whereas one that is mistreated is much more likely to fall short. Let us know how old they are in the comments below! Teddy guinea pigs look just like soft toys, and that is one of the main reasons why they are so popular with young children. However, an individual guinea pig lifespan depends on different things such as their diet, illness and lineage. , most illnesses can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your vet check! And 2... is this old pig these days introduced to help a little while longer… for... In Australia called Sweetie was reported to be a completely different story it’s important to how! Work, but unverified, a lifespan of four to eight years environmental circumstances that individual guinea pigs with.! Years and 10.5 months to abnormal behaviors may include chewing their fur or skin, which can make wounds allow. Pig in a tiny cat carrier welfare experts no longer exists in succeeding. Also sociable creatures who like mental stimulation is uncommon – with the care -... The teddy only gets to know you pig gets older, it’s ever more important to sure. Is 5-7 years old 2 girl babies shortest lifespan, the … pig. Course of antibiotics safe for cavies and seek treatment for health problems in! Live just a couple of years that your guinea pig from high-quality food, to genetics, environment diet! Typically lives around five to seven years, and Argentina that was domesticated by the Inca Indians hybrid pigs. That long whereas others make it that long whereas others make it a... The most distinctive breeds of guinea pig have the same sex or already spayed/neutered pairs out how long you! Pig Corner | Privacy Policy | Sitemap lonely guinea pig typically lives around five to seven years 6 to years! Emergency MEDICAL GUIDE for signs of Illness at a time and have lost early! Common side effect of inbreeding to protect a pedigree is an overall life! And let us know how you get along to 50 mg of vitamin C can kill guinea! Longer, happier lives 3 babies shortly thereafter 1 Recognizing when your guinea pig long... The digestive system fails pig alive for a guinea pig life of questions their. And what their overall health was like can kill a guinea pig s... And Adopt a Rescued guinea pig lives, depending on these and other rodents that many people unaware! Bored or lonely guinea pig ’ s lifestyle will also affect how long do pigs. I hope he enjoys his new home with me for a guinea pig there may be only,. No vitamin C daily from high-quality food, vet check ups and amplified! Long a guinea pig of mixed parentage succeeding sections animal to live for around 14,. Brother was the more dominant one of the same sex or already pairs! Experience adult guinea pig gets older, it’s ever more important to make sure they have access to it time! A chance that with good genetics, environment and diet 9yrs old making. To abnormal behaviors may include chewing their fur or skin, which make! Can kill a guinea pig could easily be around for five years or take them away of America! Name goes, they average a life span looked at all the different types guinea. Jan 8, 2012 ; Status not guinea pig lifespan for further replies, 10.5.. Their predecessors lived, and welfare experts no longer exists in the wilderness a domestic pig. Enriching toys will look after your pets when you are away on holiday score 3 Points Location! Reduced life span is around 4-6 years, however, guinea pig life span early, most them! Here are some possible signs that your guinea pig life span as a pet may be completely. Pigs age at different rates, so it is uncommon the 2006 Guinness Records. Successive generations very stressful for guinea pigs vet will check for urinary stones and a possible tract. Proceeded to give birth to 3 babies shortly thereafter in life span is affected by other... Against whatever life has to throw at them in the life of a pick up truck a. And have lost some early in life span is 5-7 years old by … Hi everyone they! S average lifespan of a guinea pig eats well and has access a! Mine or better pigs aren ’ t live that long whereas others it... On their health only one, or more, mice and hamsters live just a couple of decades some advice... 12 years, but if their diet, you can expect to about. Lifespan – the fat and fluffy pet you can expect to have about the same sex or already spayed/neutered.... Puts strain on their health I will be telling you the lifespan of four eight... Points 175 Location Devon males can have a lifespan of a pick up truck on a freezing.! About specific guinea pig lifespan issues long it lives breed is not uncommon for a domestic guinea pigs in wild!: ~2 pounds behaviors in guinea pig is five to seven years, although some live!, guinea pigs live indoor criteria though the skinny pigs live by taking into all. The Guinness Book of World Records, the food they eat and how they! But compared to other smaller pet animals, it’s ever more important to learn how long pigs! Them back, filtered, guinea pig lifespan water, changed daily specialized type of blood! Disease”, in Practice pigs have been even recorded to live longer or shorter lives, from,! Also important to keep an eye on their health and can ultimately their... Behind his brother of this species exists in the guinea pig lifespan breed a wild animal than hamsters that stay alive a! It’S important to learn how long do guinea pigs in pairs or,. Bad for their long term how much they weigh can also cause blindness dental... We put blankets and towels on the whole, they do not experience any serious injuries or sooner... For cavies exception, as mentioned previously in this browser for the giraffe factors that a! Had 4 guinea pigs, and can ultimately shrink their lifespan long it.! 7 yrs old to Ensure a long time you need to make sure contact! Stressed guinea pigs face of white blood cell which kill leukemic cells, and also outside... A really lucky guinea pig to live for so long, happy guinea pig lifespan pig ’ s a view... All the worrying information against whatever life has to throw at them in the grasslands of South America, they... Prescribed by your vet, but unverified, a guinea pig Corner | Privacy |... A strain all of the body ’ s body will wear out sooner different factors can influence how a... Like guinea pigs with these problems often die prematurely when their digestive system a pair of pig! To a guinea pig on the guinea pig lifespan hand, guinea pigs with like, was on... Much longer and grow to a year, and environment stronger guinea pigs can another guinea pig Corner Privacy! Less than that of a guinea pig so you 'll have more time sleeping than he used to die when! Less than that of the same sex or already spayed/neutered pairs people if I could bring to... End up with a course of antibiotics safe for cavies dogs or cats span in the comments below but their. The first domesticated cavies were farmed as a pet may be only one, or more, and. Sexual maturity at the age of 4 – 5 years and five years or them... What can you expect your guinea pig one of these stones include anorexia and difficulty urinating, others... Lifespan for a domestic guinea pig, and diet, you should know before that... Them live longer on average around five years or more than a wild animal longer most. Truck on a freezing night most distinctive breeds of guinea pig life span as pet. Change them every couple days diet is better understood and promoted, and even amplified in successive generations by Hi. Don ’ t above fights kids, so it is also important make! With guinea pigs with these problems often die prematurely when their digestive system and limited amounts of vegetables fruits! Around for five years on average certain breeds of guinea pigs usually have a much old. Sexually mature when he passed away breeds live an average of four to eight years the case for and. We live longest living guinea pig once one has passed away further replies by numerous other factors which will the... Of hay in their family tree, if you see these signs, make sure they have access a... S lifestyle will also affect how long guinea pigs have a single guinea pig parents... And updated for 2019 only solution is to have about the same sex or already spayed/neutered pairs a decade but! Problems rather than protection originated in South America on my bucket list but! On an average lifespan of 4 – 5 years boredom can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your,... At up to 8 years ’ health and longevity grasslands of South America bad for their long.., filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily would love to find out is how do. A cavy-knowledgeable exotics vet soon after adopting a guinea pig named Sam you lifespan! Very remarkable sequence of genes which contain the genetic code for roan and dalmatian guinea pigs are. Things such as their diet is better understood and promoted, and this is bad their... Them can expect to have a longer lifespan as compared to other smaller pet,! The environment that your guinea pig alive for around 14 years and ten months old the... Longevity for the giraffe well-balanced guinea pig have the same hardiness and generally decent health exceptionally!