When keeping guinea pigs as pets, it is only natural to wonder: “How long do guinea pigs live?” Learning about their lifespan helps you understand and appreciate the importance of keeping them healthy and well-cared for.
Continue reading to learn the life expectancy of guinea pigs and how you can increase their longevity.
Average Lifespan of a Guinea Pig
On average, guinea pig life expectancy is between 5–8 years. It is shorter compared to larger animals such as dogs and cats but certainly longer than other small mammals like hamsters and rats.
Guinea Pig Lifespan: Indoors vs. Outdoors
There is a large difference between the lifespan of indoor guinea pigs and outdoor ones, mainly because of their environments.
So, how long do guinea pigs live indoors? Domestic guinea pigs that are properly cared for can live for 8–10 years or even more. Staying indoors makes them less vulnerable to harsh elements, therefore increasing their chances of living longer lives.
Now you might be curious to know: “How long do guinea pigs live in the wild?” Unfortunately, the lifespan of guinea pigs in the wild is far shorter. It only ranges from 1–4 years because they easily fall prey to predatory animals.
Other factors, such as the rampant spread of diseases and extreme weather, also contribute to their short life expectancy.
Guinea Pig Lifespan: Male vs. Female
The life expectancy of male and female guinea pigs is not widely discussed. Hence, there is a lack of information regarding this topic, but we did find out some bits of important information.
So, how long do female guinea pigs live? Female guinea pig lifespan tends to be much shorter than male ones. They can live between 4–8 years.
Those that have particularly given birth have a reduced life expectancy because the birthing process potentially causes fatal complications.
Now let us move on to the question: “How long do male guinea pigs live?” Male guinea pigs have better chances of living longer compared to females. Their average lifespan is 5–8 years.
Guinea Pig Breeds with Longer Life Expectancy
The breed is believed to have played a role in lengthening or shortening a guinea pig’s lifespan. There is not enough data, though, to make accurate lifespan estimations for each breed.
However, pet owners observed that certain breeds of guinea pigs tend to live longer than others.
You might be asking yourself: “Which breed of guinea pig lives the longest?” Several Shelties and Peruvians were able to reach the ripe age of 12–14 years old.
On the other hand, hairless breeds are thought to have the shortest lifespan because of their susceptibility to several skin ailments. They can live between 5–7 years.
Meet the Longest-Living Guinea Pig
Image Credit: a-z-animals
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, a guinea pig named Snowball, that lived in Nottinghamshire, was the oldest guinea pig in the world. Snowball was nearly 15 years old when he died on February 14th, 1979.
Up to now, no one has beaten his record. However, one guinea pig called Bear is coming close to snatching the record after he turned 13 years old in 2019.
Signs of Guinea Pigs Approaching Old Age
Guinea pigs age at a different rate, but generally, they reach their prime at 6 months of age. When guinea pigs reach 4–5 years old, they begin to slow down. Here are some tell-tale signs that your beloved furry friend is in its senior years:
- Decreased energy levels
- Increased sleeping time
- Fur gradually starts to turn grey or white
- Reduced appetite
- Change in muscle tone
Old age is often accompanied by health problems such as arthritis, cataracts, cancer, and dementia. Always keep an eye out for symptoms of illnesses like abnormal lumps on the skin, nasal or eye discharge, and breathing difficulties.
Your senior guinea pig warrants an emergency visit to the vet if he exhibits any of them. The sooner you get him checked, the better the chances of managing his condition.
5 Tips to Increase Guinea Pig Lifespan
Here are the steps that you can take to help your guinea pig spend a longer and happier life with you:
1. Bring in a companion.
Guinea pigs are social animals, so they should not be kept alone in their enclosures. Ideally, you can house 2 guinea pigs at a time so that they can interact with each other during times when you cannot play with them.
Be sure to get your guinea pigs from a reputable breeder to ensure they do not carry contagious and deadly diseases.
Avoid purchasing them from pet stores since animals from these places tend to be sickly and suffer from poor living conditions.
2. Consider neutering male guinea pigs.
If you have no intention of breeding your guinea pigs, it would be best to get males neutered if they are housed with females to avoid accidental pregnancies.
Giving birth can be life-threatening to female guinea pigs, especially the old ones since their pubic bones become narrow. Spaying females is not advised as the process is more complicated and risky.
3. Offer an appropriate diet.
Like humans, guinea pigs need a nutritious and balanced diet to thrive. Their meals should consist of ⅛ cup of high-quality pellets fortified with vitamin C since they cannot produce this nutrient. Supplement it with unlimited quantities of fresh hay, preferably timothy.
Increase their fibre intake by adding a cup of vegetables like cucumber, lettuce, and parsley.
Fruits such as apples, blueberries, and bananas should only comprise a small amount of your pet’s diet. These fruits contain sugar, which can contribute to the development of health problems.
4. Clean the cages regularly.
Do a complete cage cleaning once a week to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria proliferating.
Spot cleaning must be done every day. This involves getting rid of uneaten food, restocking fresh water, replacing wet bedding with a fresh one, and removing guinea pigs’ droppings.
5. Book vet visits regularly.
Health problems become common in guinea pigs as they mature and age. To ensure your pet is free from disease, get him checked by the vet every 6–12 months.
Do note that not all vets are knowledgeable about caring for guinea pigs. You will need to look for someone who specialises in dealing with small and exotic pets.
Guinea pigs require long-term commitment, unlike other small animals, because of their relatively long lifespan. Providing your beloved pet with the right care, living environment, and love help ensure that it lives a long, happy, and healthy life.
