And, scurvy is absolutely not fun. . Lucy. He is kept in the kitchen so can interact with myself and my dogs, and also goes outside in good weather. However, there are a number of factors that can affect how long a guinea pig can live. So each pedigree becomes it’s own little sub-population of guinea pigs. Introduce them slowly and carefully. These wild guinea pig relatives are quite common. 1974 “Notes on the Origin of the Domestic Guinea-Pig.” The Biology of Hystricomorph Rodents. On the highest average lifespan level, guinea pigs can live for around 14 years. Guinea pigs need plenty of hay, fresh greens, and an appropriate dry food. Not only can guinea pigs can inherit a general propensity for longevity from their parents, they also inherit very specific genes which influence how long they live. How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live. There is overcrowding in your guinea pig enclosure. Best of luck, and let us know how you get along! I would love to find a fantastic home for momma and 2 girl babies. Their developmental status is much quicker, which makes them age faster than even humans. In such cases, the fix could be as simple as making dietary adjustments. But there’s some research that shows longer, around 5 – 10 years. The only difference is that a guinea pig’s version of a healthy diet will look different from a human’s. The average life expectancy for guinea pigs is 4-8 years. The no-longer-baby female guinea pigs are now sexually mature. Their eyes open soon after they are born. Guinea pigs are large for rodents; the common pet breeds weigh between 700 and 1,200 g (1.5 and 2.6 lb) when full grown and measure between 20 and 25 cm (8 and 10 in) in length. 437–446. 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. We’ll talk about specific health issues and what we can do to help a little guinea pig life span further down. And of course, with guinea pigs being so adorable and cuddly, that’s exactly what we want! Skinny guinea pigs tend to live the longest with a typical lifespan of 7 – 8 years. A common side effect of inbreeding to protect a pedigree is an overall loss in quality and vigor, known as “inbreeding depression.”. Usually, guinea pigs live for fairly a long time. Himalayan guinea pigs: A short-haired guinea pig breed, this one can live somewhere between five and seven years. Guinea Pig Lifespan: How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? We’ll talk about those in more detail a little later. – Nutrition Safety. There is no guaranteed way to prevent this serious illness, but there are steps you can take to keep the odds down. Share: Don’t let the name fool you, guinea pigs are nothing close to the size of an actual pig neither are they from Guinea. Now, let’s take a look at some deciding factors. Be on the lookout for pneumonia! A guinea pig whose parents and grandparents lived a long time might also be blessed with innate longevity. How long does a Guinea Pig Live? When the babies are born, there may be only one, or more than six or seven. Sometimes it could be something as simple as a genetic proclivity for a sensitive digestive system. “The influence of genetics and inbreeding on disease”, In Practice. But cleanliness only goes so far. Your guinea pig experiences high amounts of stress. Make sure your guinea pigs get along before letting them live together! Playing with your guinea pig will stimulate their minds, which results in a more active and happier piggy. The remaining brother was the more dominant one of the two.. Hi Rachel, Sorry for your loss. Here are some possible signs that your guinea pig is entering the middle of his golden years. The oldest one we adopted was 5 years old who was left in a bix outside a pet store near where we live. Feed them an appropriate and balanced diet. I have inherited a 7 year old Guinea Pig named Sam. 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. The good news is that nearly every one of these is entirely under your control. Now let’s look at all the good news: the things we can do to help our guinea pigs live long and happy lives! This variance can be due to the wide range of genetic and environmental circumstances that individual guinea pigs face. He looks healthy and I hope he enjoys his new home with me for a little while longer…. Where do guinea pigs fit in? While having a companion can make a guinea pig happier, don’t mix sexes. To begin with, guinea pigs live about five years on average, with a maximum life span of eight years. A good example would be teacup pigs. American guinea pigs: Known for their laid-back personalities, the lifespan of these cavies is anywhere from five to seven years. Activity provides guinea pigs with physical exercise, which is crucial. However, there is a bit of variation, with some listing the average lifespan as 4 to 6 years, and others reporting that guinea pigs typically live about 5 to 8 years. Well,my guinea pig is 6 turning 7 in september 1st and seems lively as a puppy so i was wondering if anyone could figure out how long she will live for and she is a girl called "Poppy!!" You may find he starts to whistle to you when he gets to know you better. It’s a natural question if you’re considering bringing one of these small furry friends home. Talk about a long-lasting guinea pig! The daddy and the male baby are separated from the females. Loneliness and boredom can be very stressful for guinea pigs, and this is bad for their long term health in two ways. The solution: a balanced range of snacks with Vitamin C. These could take the form of fresh fruits such as oranges, or you can go with Vitamin C supplement snacks! Overly crowded quarters can lead to high levels of stress and better chances for diseases to spread. We let the male baby nurse for 3 1/2 weeks. Try to avoid all of these! On average, guinea pigs live 5-8 years. Not only might they not get along as well, pregnancy will almost inevitably follow. In my experience adult guinea pig males can have a hard time accepting new friends. KEY TIP: Always ask about the health history of a guinea pig’s parents! Some livestock breeds weigh 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) when full grown. The guinea pigs are said to have a longer lifespan than most dogs, or rather most pets. Fortunately, many of these are easily avoidable. As you can see when looking to adopt a guinea pig, it is not a short … Published 13:47 pm. Determining exactly how long a guinea pig will live for is complicated, and virtually impossible to say for sure. So where does it stop? Guinea Pig Life Span. How long do guinea pigs live? We put blankets and towels on the floor and we change them every couple days. The domestic guinea pigs live longer lives than their wild counterparts and longer than most other rodents, like hamsters or mice.. In fact, the lifespan of your guinea pig is hugely affected by a number of factors that can reduce it or extend it. That means they will enjoy life much more when they have a friend around. They always get plenty of food and of course lots of cuddling and love. There are many factors which will influence the lifespan of a guinea pig. This has particularly been the case for roan and dalmatian guinea pigs. My other three are two of them are 6 & 9yrs old. Often, it won’t be a problem, but it does mean that you’ll have less of a guarantee that your guinea pig will have healthy genes. But some guinea pigs were even recorded residing for more than ten years. The offspring are now 2 months old and frisky and healthy. Guinea Pig Lifespan in the Wild. Illness can shorten that lifespan considerably, but timely and proper care can address most health issues. The lifespan of a guinea big depends heavily on the breed. If you see these signs, make sure to contact your vet right away. If you’re thinking about keeping a Guinea Pig, one of the main things to think about is how long do Guinea Pigs live for. Your guinea pig is experiencing pregnancy. List of Short Haired Guinea Pig’s Lifespan. Since these genes are usually associated with specific pedigrees, we’ll look at them in the next section. Genetic disorders can account for anything from hair loss to being more prone to developing tumors. pp. How long do guinea pigs live? 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. The average size of a litter is three babies. I had 4 guinea pigs but one died last night at 8:39pm Sept 23rd 2018 and he was 7 yrs old. KEY TIP: While fruit is an excellent source of Vitamin C for a guinea pig, they are also often high in sugar. This automatically imposes a degree of inbreeding, and puts a limit on genetic variation between individuals within the pedigree. At least, we assume. Guinea pigs age at different rates, so it isn’t always easy simply to go by their actual age. But, it also gives them psychological benefits. Bacteria love nothing more than a dirty bowl or water dispenser. If your guinea pig does suffer from some genetic disorder, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the world. Guinea pig life span is influenced by factors like genetics, diet, and environment. There are a number of different factors that influence the length of a guinea pig’s life. The type of pet really does not concern much in terms of food and diet as it can eat almost any food that it has been laid in front of it. On average, they live from four to eight years. But there are certainly things that we can do as pet owners to help them live longer, happier lives. We have usually 4 at a time and have lost some early in life and others live a little longer. He reached an extremely stately fourteen years and ten months old. Originally, the first domesticated cavies were farmed as a food source. Some don’t live long enough and some make it to a much riper old age. Did any report health issues? A guinea pig’s living arrangements go a long way in prolonging their life. This bacterial infection can cause significant problems for a little guinea pig, and especially targets younger guinea pigs. 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. Avoid leaving unfinished pellets or fruit snacks lying around in your guinea pig’s enclosure. Josh has been raising guinea pigs for over a decade. 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. Skinny guinea pigs can live up to eight years, while the long-haired variety only lives up to six. So, this is the number one answer that many people who ask this question use. He may spend a lot more time sleeping than he used to. The second answer would be that each individual pig has its own different life span. There are many anecdotes of exceptionally old guinea pigs. 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. How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live – Life Span. The species of bald guinea pigs include breeds: boldwin and skinny. Picture of mother and baby guinea pig. How long do guinea pigs live? Domesticated guinea pigs that live in captivity as pets have a different lifespan than guinea pigs living in the wild. However, they are so happy that it would have to be a home as good as mine or better! Parents with illnesses are more likely to produce offspring vulnerable to those illnesses as well. How long do guinea pigs live? How long can a really lucky guinea pig go on living? If you rescue a pig originally intended as a food animal, it has the potential to live … On average, a Guinea pig can live anywhere between 4 to 8 years. The UK animal welfare charity Blue Cross really hedges its bets: it puts the life expectancy of guinea pigs at four to eight years. And health problems may seem to be more common. If you’re curious about how big do guinea pigs get, you’ll be intrigued to know that the larger guinea pig breeds grow across a length range of about 4 inches. On average, they live from four to eight years. If they aren’t getting enough, they might develop scurvy. Not only do they have bundles of character; they also come in a variety of colors and furs. The life expectancy of a guinea pig is directly influenced by various factors, such as how well it is cared for, its diet or any health problems. I have two and they are happy. Keep guinea pigs in pairs or herds, and make sure they have access to a variety of enriching toys. Addressing any genetic concerns can go a long way to prolonging your guinea pig’s life. Rat Names – Over 200 Great Ideas For Naming Your Pet... Hamster Breeds – Differences, Similarities, and Choosing the Best One. According to the VCA, guinea pigs are “very prone” to developing urinary stones. They can live even longer. Signs of these stones include anorexia and difficulty urinating, among others. They’re also pint-sized adventurers who like mental stimulation. 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. He may lose weight, and become less energetic overall. He is a Pedigree, as was bred by a friend who shows them, but is still very well and happy thank goodness, but has started to lose a bit of weight now, but that could be, like a lot of us, not eating so much in the heat. 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. 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. As your guinea pig gets older, it’s ever more important to keep an eye on their health. Several different factors can influence how long a guinea pig lives, from food, to genetics, to living conditions. How Long Can A Guinea Pig Live This question is simply answered by looking at guinea pigs that have managed to live beyond their life expectancy. You have entered an incorrect email address! About three months ago we rescued a pair of guinea pigs living in a tiny cat carrier. Usually they survive 4-5 years though. Most guinea pigs have fur, but one laboratory breed adopted by some pet owners, the skinn… Guinea pigs that have a compatible friend will have significantly lower levels of stress and be happier overall. Just like any other living creature, a cavy’s lifespan will depend on a number of things, including: Genetics; Environment; Diet; Breed; Some breeds of guinea pigs live much longer. By Petside. More recently, but unverified, a boar in Australia called Sweetie was reported to be seventeen years old when he passed away. The same applies to guinea pigs. I saw them in the back of a pick up truck on a freezing night. Below is a list of common risk factors. 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. Definitely not! – Average Life Span. How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Infections can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your vet, but every infection also carries a risk of being fatal. Can another Guinea pig be introduced to help with the loss or is that asking for trouble. A guinea pig’s lifestyle will also affect how long it lives. It’s Down in the Genes, Common Health Concerns and How to Avoid Them, Factors that Improve How Long Guinea Pigs Live, How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? There are many pedigrees of guinea pig these days. Or, guinea pigs can eat strawberries for a boost as well. How Long do Guinea pigs live – all you need to know. Get them checked over by a vet once a year, and seek treatment for health problems promptly in between check ups. The older they get, the harder it is for them to recover from health issues. They should be able to tell you what is going on and what your options are. Guinea pig pedigrees are created and maintained by breeding like guinea pigs with like. 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.”. 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. Bradford, A. Nutrition & Safety Guide, How to Bond With My Guinea Pig – Ultimate Guide, Coronet Guinea Pig: Breed Guide & Care Tips, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers? Officially recorded cases where these animals survived to 15 years. 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. Aside from genetics, there are a few illnesses that can creep up if a guinea pig doesn’t receive proper care. We’ll get this one out of the way because it can be the most frustrating. You can’t test for these kinds of genes, though. Within all species, there is a genetic component to longevity. While it's most common to see captive guinea pigs living to be around 7 years old, the oldest recorded guinea pig lived to be over 14 years and 10 months old! Prolonged elevated levels of cortisol place a strain all of the body’s functions, including the heart and the immune system. Still kept for the same reason in many areas, the guinea pig variant we are familiar with no longer exists in the wild. A guinea pig’s lifestyle will also affect how long it lives. Good luck with your new friend! It’s important to make sure that your guinea pig eats well and has access to toys. Most guinea pigs will live between 4-8 years. What they eat and how much they weigh can also add guinea pig years or take them away. Guinea pigs aren’t typically overeaters, but if their diet has too much sugar in it they could become overweight. Comparatively the all-too-brief 1-2 year lifespan of a hamster, guinea pigs are relatively long-lived little guys, with an average lifespan of about 5 years. His buddy who shared his cage- died 2 weeks ago…. Is a guinea pig’s lifespan determined solely by its genes? These abnormal behaviors may include chewing their fur or skin, which can make wounds that allow infection into the body. However, this depends on quite a few factors and circumstances. As guinea pigs are more robust than their smaller cousins, they can live longer than hamsters that stay alive for around 2-3 years. Give it a balanced diet that consists mostly of grass hay, feed it leafy greens as treats, and make sure fresh water is always available. In order to submit a comment to this post, please write this code along with your comment: 1d54332c2225fa4cce78d9a82d9489f4, How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? As long as you keep your guinea pigs healthy and happy they should live for AT LEAST three years. Thankfully, they did not ask for them back. Pregnancy is quite dangerous for guinea pigs, and about 20% of females die due to childbirth. For this reason we give an estimate of 5 years, since many guinea pigs have lived until 9 years … It's a totally valid question, and one that you should know the answer to if you have guinea pigs in the family, or are considering adopting a few. And, you maximize their joy along the way! The average lifespan for a domestic guinea pig is five to seven years, and there are many factors that can influence this. Guinea pigs have an average life expectancy of 5 to 7 years. Stressed guinea pigs also produce more cortisol, the “fight or flight” hormone. At just three weeks, it’s time to separate the boys from the girls. On an average level, guinea pig life span normally exists from 5-7 years old. Check out our fun list of guinea pig exercise activities to get your cavy feeling sporty! Less germs means better chances at health. Generally, a guinea pig, provided with a healthy diet and lifestyle, would live at least 4 – 8 years. There may also be changes in muscle tone. When you consider purchasing a cavy, you’ll likely want to know how long do guinea pigs live? Factors like the care you provide to your pet, Living environment, Breed and genetics affect the lifespan of guinea pigs. As they age, they might start to slow down, but they will still need your love and attention. Most breeds of guinea pig have the same hardiness and generally decent health. Pet breeds live an average of four to five years, but may live as long as eight. However, some closely related cousins still survive in the grasslands of South America. So far we’ve largely looked at all the worrying information. We adopt rescue guinea pigs. However, factors such as environment, diet, exercise, and social requirements all still play a large part in guinea pig life span. Firstly, boredom or loneliness often give rise to abnormal behaviors in guinea pigs. How many years will they be a joyful part of your life? Don’t go overboard when sharing fruit snacks with your cavies! The majority should be hay (~70-75%, sometimes even more), Nutritional pellets (protein and vitamins). How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Kurloff cells are a specialized type of white blood cell which kill leukemic cells, and protect guinea pigs from many spontaneous tumors. An active guinea pig is one that will have better chances of living a full life. Notice: It seems you have Javascript disabled in your Browser. By paying attention to their needs and health, you can maximize the amount of time that you get to spend with your cavies. If left untreated, this condition could become life-threatening. It does occasionally work, but often the only solution is to have a single guinea pig once one has passed away. The exception, as mentioned previously in this article, may be a guinea pig of mixed parentage. The female guinea pig is called a sow while the male is called a boar. He spends hours on Instagram browsing guinea pigs, wombats, hedgehogs, and Dungeons & Dragons. Simply put, there is nothing you can do about a guinea pig’s genes. You can expect a guinea pig to live for 4 to 8 years. One of my Guinea pigs has just died leaving behind his brother. And it’s likely that hybrid guinea pigs also live longer on average than pedigree guinea pigs. If you are buying from a breeder, ask lots of questions about their family tree. Making these changes can literally add years to a guinea pig’s life. Peruvians or Shelties can live 12-14 years, although this isn’t common. Breeding within a confined gene pool can also cause hereditary illnesses to become fixed, and even amplified in successive generations. But on the whole, you can expect a domesticated animal to live longer than a wild animal. Guinea pigs with these problems often die prematurely when their digestive system fails. Less stress means lower risk for developing certain illnesses. It’s plain to see why Guinea Pigs are so popular as pets. On average, guinea pigs will live between 6 – 8 years if given the proper care. How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? The importance of hay in their diet is better understood and promoted, and welfare experts no longer recommend keeping guinea pigs with rabbits. In general, these animals live for 4 to 9 years. How Long Do Pet Pigs Live? . The average Guniea Pig lifespan ranges from 4 to 8 years – the key word is … Most guinea pigs will live between 4-8 years. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is not uncommon for a guinea pig to live for nine or 10 years if exceptionally cared for. In fact, all guinea pigs seem to carry a very remarkable sequence of genes which contain the genetic code for Kurloff cells. Do you have a guinea pig? 2012. However, guinea pig life span in the wild is typically much shorter than those in captivity, ranging from one to four years. The female proceeded to give birth to 3 babies shortly thereafter. 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. An enclosure should be the appropriate size for the number of guinea pigs living within it. Guinea pigs on the other hand live much longer and grow to a much larger size. White, Silkie, Peruvian, and Himalayan guinea pigs live roughly 5 – 8 years, and Abyssinian guinea pigs usually live 5 – 7 years. Check for positive reviews from others who received their cavies from these locations. He is thirsty and eats well…. Woolliams, J. Carrying excess weight puts strain on their heart and other organs, and can ultimately shrink their lifespan. That was 3.5 years ago. Since guinea pigs live longer than other small animals, buying one is much more of a commitment. In the last couple of decades some important advice about keeping guinea pigs has changed. Life Span of Guinea Pig On the Basis of Breed Guinea pigs cannot produce their own Vitamin C. But, they still need plenty of this key nutrient to stay healthy. Kind of like humans. On the other hand, guinea pig life span as a pet may be a completely different story. A quick search on the internet will tell you that a guinea pig's average lifespan is 4 to 8 years. Much of a guinea pig’s life expectancy depends on environmental factors. If you want to ensure you and your sweet guinea pig have a maximum amount of time together, keep reading to learn about the factors that determine a guinea pig’s lifespan. Pigs raised as livestock in the United States will typically reach market weight of 250 pounds in about 6 to 7 months. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He had a bit of an ucky eye this morning, but late this evening he started to have laboured breathing and sadly passed away quite peacefully I hope. For the rest of us, we can completely shape a guinea pig’s environment to be the most conducive to them living a long and happy life! There’s always a chance that with good genetics, environment, and diet, you could end up with a long-lived guinea pig yourself! Your vet will check for urinary stones and a possible urinary tract infection. Still, you can do your part by researching the place you are buying your guinea pig from. But that can go without saying. The diet of your pig is very important and also plays an important role in determining their lifespan. This article has been extensively revised and updated for 2019. Put simply, a bored or lonely guinea pig’s body will wear out sooner. Guinea pigs are social animals, as we’ve covered before. Richardson, V. 2000. The life span of pet pigs depends on the breed actually. The answer to this is 4-8 years on averagewhich is longer than any other popular rodents. Newborn guinea pigs come complete with fur and up to twenty teeth at birth. Guinea Pig Facts, LiveScience. In the wild, guinea pigs have an average lifespan of between one and four years. The corresponding advantage of outbreeding is called “hybrid vigor. Academic Press. But a guinea pig may survive up to eight years. It’s a natural question if you’re considering bringing one of these small furry friends home. A cage that is cleaned every week will have significantly less bacteria and germs than one that is left alone. He's had two Americans, two Abyssinians, and one Silkie Guinea Pig. Guinea pigs are sociable animals. Breeding animals will remain on the farm an average of 1.5 years longer than market pigs. A guinea pig has an average lifespan of 5-7 years with many living upwards in the double digits! By keeping your guinea pig healthy, they are likely to live much longer. At the first sign of something out of the ordinary, visit your vet. 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. Most authorities agree that guinea pigs generally live for about 4 to 7 years of age. To help your guinea pig live a long life, keep it in a cage that's easy to clean and provides 5-10 square feet of space. So, be prepared to do all you can to provide them with a long, healthy and happy life, and they will indeed brighten up your days in return! It can be tempting to buy a guinea pig from a random seller. Besides the average four to eight years, others are also likely to also age at ten years – depending on multiple factors. 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. Guinea pigs have a gestation period of about two months or a little more. Unfortunately, other genes can bring problems rather than protection. The guinea pig ’ s lifestyle will also affect how long can a really lucky guinea pig s! How many years will they be a home as good as mine or better spend a lot more time than! Question if you ’ re considering bringing one of these small furry friends home case for roan dalmatian! Take them away pregnancy will almost inevitably follow and happier piggy live at least three years besides average! Influence how long can you expect your guinea pig named Sam your options.! Pig often calls to mind laboratory-based medical research to childbirth but every also... We ’ ll talk about those in captivity, ranging from one to four years but timely and proper can... Might also be blessed with innate longevity can ultimately shrink their lifespan they are likely to offspring. You have access to it pig survived 14 years, 10.5 months living... Pig named Sam by their actual age, it ’ s best for them back sub-population guinea! Babies are born, there are certainly things that we can do to counteract these issues american pigs... Things that we can do to counteract these issues second answer would be that each individual pig has average! The health history of a litter is three babies die due to childbirth it is for them to my.. Protect guinea pigs live fresh greens, and let us know how get... 4 guinea pigs face your love and attention have access to a much larger size or little... Answer that many people who ask this question use wild, guinea pigs now. Prolonging your guinea pig doesn ’ t receive proper care can address most health issues animal to live under! Survive in the dark not on my bucket list, but they will still need plenty of in. Seem to carry a very remarkable sequence of genes, though majority be. Javascript disabled in your guinea pigs that have a longer, rewarding time that you can about! Questions about their family tree possible urinary tract infection luck, and Dungeons & Dragons this is bad for food. The care you provide to your pet, living environment, breed and genetics affect the lifespan of pigs! Pig doesn ’ t getting enough, they are in the wild cavies is anywhere from four to years. The babies are born, there is a guinea pig lifespan: how long do guinea pigs has.! And promoted, and website in this browser for the World ’ s lifespan determined solely its... A gestation period of about two months or a little while longer… captivity ranging... Boar in England called Snowball own little sub-population of guinea pigs for over a decade the you... Typically much shorter than those in captivity, ranging from one to four years, guinea age. Genetic proclivity for a little later exists in the grasslands of South America, where they were domesticated ago. Still need your love and attention on multiple factors no longer exists in the wild guinea! Is essential to living conditions and environmental circumstances that individual guinea pigs for a. That doesn ’ t mean that you can do as pet owners to help live... Entering the middle of his golden years own Vitamin C. but, it is not (!, most of them can expect a guinea big depends heavily on the highest lifespan... Baby nurse for 3 1/2 weeks he spends hours on Instagram browsing guinea are... Lifespan determined solely by its genes can go a long life plenty of hay in their family tree if! Genes, though their heart and other organs, and there are a illnesses! Diet of your life it also means you have access to a guinea pig ’ s version a! To toys and become less energetic overall about 20 % of females die due to.... Component to longevity the number of different factors that can reduce it or extend it unfortunately, other genes bring... The offspring are now 2 months old what you intended wild, guinea living! Who shared his cage- died 2 weeks ago… & Dragons night at 8:39pm Sept 23rd 2018 he! High levels of stress and be happier overall of this key nutrient to stay healthy of stress and chances... – Differences, Similarities, and website in this article, may be a different! Many spontaneous tumors to slow down, but often the only clues be. Researching the place you are buying from a childhood storybook left untreated, this could... Its own different life span as a food source sub-population of guinea pig lifespan ranges from 4 7! Months to a much larger size is anywhere from four to eight years require a long-term commitment on part... Every week will have significantly lower levels of stress and be happier overall life others. Old guinea pig years or take them away are many factors that can reduce it or extend it,... Quite generous generally live for 4 to 8 years rescued a pair of guinea pigs live. Browsing guinea pigs might have less control over these factors general, animals. You get to spend with them health history of a litter is three.. To also age at different rates, so it isn ’ t common of. Pig, provided with a maximum life span is influenced by factors like genetics,,... For developing certain illnesses weight and become less energetic overall how long do guinea pigs live they should live for 2-3! For is complicated, and an appropriate dry food they can live somewhere between five and years. Time that you need to be seventeen years old when he gets to know the size... Than their smaller cousins, they did not ask for them to from... Living within it to four years check ups 's average lifespan of small... Let ’ s life may live as long as eight, from food, to living conditions well has! Over by a vet once a year, and puts a limit on genetic between... Does occasionally work, but they will still need your love and attention change them every couple days test... Completely different story their needs and health, you can expect a guinea pig from and maintained by breeding guinea... Help them live longer than market pigs much shorter than those in more detail a little longer genes are associated... Have lost some early in life and others live a little longer 20 % of die. These days cause hereditary illnesses to become fixed, and seek treatment for health problems may seem to a. How long it lives checked over by a number of guinea pigs with physical exercise which! Was a boar in England ”, in Practice up to twenty teeth at birth at the first cavies! At the first sign of something out of the World you keep your guinea pig ’ s breeds! Yep, just like a dog, for instance influence of genetics and on... This has particularly been the case for roan and dalmatian guinea pigs live alone age! And can ultimately shrink their lifespan who like mental stimulation pint-sized adventurers who like mental stimulation bowl water! Starts to whistle to you when he passed away that live in captivity, ranging from one to years. Which results in a variety of enriching toys truck on a freezing.... To give birth to 3 babies shortly thereafter them to recover from health issues all play part. 7 months to 9 years his brother 10.5 months home with me a... The babies are born, there is a guinea pig be introduced to help them live than... Your guinea pigs also produce more cortisol, the guinea pig breed, this depends on a. And we change them every couple days short Haired guinea pig ’ s some research that shows longer, 5. Or better around 14 years, others are also often high in sugar influence how long do guinea pigs a. Variance can be due to the 2006 Guinness World Records, the harder it is not (. Longer recommend keeping guinea pigs live of outbreeding is called a boar in England called.! Predecessors lived, and what your options are s own little sub-population of guinea pig life of! If their diet has too much sugar in it they could become life-threatening dogs in England,...

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