Basic Guinea Pig Information

  1. Guinea pigs are not actual pigs, nor are they from Guinea. They originated in South America for food (I know, what a shame!), and are called pigs because of the sounds they make.

  2. Male guinea pigs are called boars, and female guinea pigs are called sows (just like normal pigs)

  3. Guinea pigs are rodents, so they are related to other rodents such as rats, hamsters, mice, gerbils, chinchillas, and more, but not rabbits.

  4. Guinea pigs typically live for 4 - 6 years, but have lived before up to 10 years.

  5. Guinea pigs are herbivores, eating only hay, pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

  6. Guinea pigs' teeth continue to grow, because they are open-rooted.

  7. An average boar weighs about 900 -1200 grams (roughly 2 - 2 1/2 pounds) and an average sow weighs about 700 - 900 grams (roughly 1 1/2 - 2 pounds).

  8. A guinea pig's heart beats 240 - 350 times per minute, and they take about 40 - 150 breaths per minute.

  9. A guinea pig's body temperature is 99 -103° Fahrenheit.

  10. Adopting a guinea pig from a rescue is always the best way to go, as you are helping the ones that need a home, rather than contributing to a store making a profit.

Guinea Pig Guide