Guinea Pig FAQ

Unlimited timothy hay, a measured portion of plain pellets, fresh water, and a daily handful of safe vegetables. Vitamin C matters because guinea pigs cannot make their own. Our vitamin C guide covers the numbers.

Bigger than most pet store cages. A pair needs at least 7.5 square feet, and more is always better. See the cage size guide for layouts that work.

Yes. Guinea pigs are herd animals and a same-species companion is one of the biggest welfare upgrades you can give. Keep same-sex pairs or a neutered male with females.

Usually 5 to 8 years with good care, sometimes longer. Our lifespan guide explains what affects it.

Treat it as urgent. A guinea pig that stops eating can go downhill within 24 hours. Read the not eating guide and contact an exotics vet.

No. Tools like Wheeky Identifier help you spot warning signs early and decide how fast to act, but diagnosis and treatment belong to a vet. When in doubt, call one.

Loss of appetite, lethargy, crusty eyes, sneezing with discharge, hair loss, weight loss, and changes in droppings. Weigh your pig weekly; a dropping weight is often the first clue.

Identifier recognizes your pig's breed from a photo and flags possible health issues from symptoms. Guide is the everyday care companion: safe and toxic food lists, cage setup, emergency help, and a first-7-days plan for new pigs.

Photo identification matches your pig against 12 common breeds with a confidence score. Mixed breeds can sit between two results, which the app shows honestly instead of forcing one answer.

More than 2,000 foods, each marked safe, limit, or toxic, with notes on vitamin C and calcium where they matter.