Guinea pigs are sociable, vocal, and full of personality — but they need more care than many new owners expect. From spacious housing to daily vitamin C and a strict hay-based diet, here is everything you need to know about keeping guinea pigs in the UK.
- Housing — Space Matters
- •C&C Cages — The Modern Standard
- •Indoor vs Outdoor
- Diet — Hay + Vitamin C
- •Vitamin C — The Critical Nutrient
- Companionship — Never Keep One Alone
- Health Checks
- Common Health Issues
- Enrichment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- •How long do guinea pigs live?
- •Do guinea pigs smell?
- •Can guinea pigs live outside in the UK?
- Related Reading
- • 📚 Related Reading
Housing — Space Matters
Guinea pigs need significantly more space than traditional pet-shop cages provide. The RSPCA minimum is 120 × 60 cm for two guinea pigs, but bigger is always better.
| Housing Type | Typical Size | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| C&C cage (grids + coroplast) | 120 × 60 cm+ | Indoor pairs | £40–£80 |
| Midwest Guinea Habitat Plus | 120 × 60 cm | Indoor pairs | £50–£70 |
| Large wooden hutch + run | 150 × 60 cm | Outdoor pairs | £100–£200 |
| Ferplast Rabbit 120 / similar | 120 × 60 cm | Indoor | £60–£90 |
C&C Cages — The Modern Standard
A C&C cage (Cubes and Coroplast) is the preferred housing among guinea pig communities. Made from grid panels and a corrugated plastic base, they’re customisable, spacious, easy to clean, and surprisingly affordable. A 2×4 grid cage (approx. 145 × 75 cm) is ideal for two guinea pigs. Available from Amazon UK, Kavee, and Guinea Pig Cages Store.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Guinea pigs are sensitive to temperature extremes. They’re comfortable between 17–24°C and can suffer heatstroke above 26°C or hypothermia below 15°C. Indoor housing is strongly recommended in the UK — it provides stable temperatures, more social interaction, and protection from predators and weather.
Diet — Hay + Vitamin C
- 80% hay — unlimited Timothy hay (essential for dental wear and digestion)
- 15% fresh vegetables — daily portion of bell peppers (highest vitamin C), romaine lettuce, cucumber, herbs
- 5% pellets — a small amount of vitamin C-fortified pellets (Burgess Excel, Supreme Science Selective)
Vitamin C — The Critical Nutrient
Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C (like humans and unlike most other animals). Without daily vitamin C, they develop scurvy — symptoms include lethargy, swollen joints, and a rough coat. Ensure daily intake through:
- Bell peppers — the single best source. A slice of red bell pepper daily provides sufficient vitamin C.
- Vitamin C-fortified pellets — check the date, as vitamin C degrades quickly in stored food.
- Supplements — liquid vitamin C (Oxbow Natural Science) can be added to water as a backup, but food sources are more reliable.
Companionship — Never Keep One Alone
Guinea pigs are herd animals — keeping a single guinea pig is considered a welfare issue in several European countries (it’s illegal in Switzerland). The minimum is a pair of the same sex or a neutered male with one or more females.
- Two females (sows) — easiest pairing, usually bond quickly
- Neutered male + female(s) — excellent dynamic, very social
- Two males (boars) — can work with enough space, but risk of fighting at sexual maturity (4–6 months)
Never house guinea pigs with rabbits — rabbits can injure guinea pigs with powerful kicks, and they carry Bordetella bacteria that can cause fatal respiratory disease in guinea pigs.
Health Checks
Guinea pigs are prey animals that hide illness until they’re very sick. Do a quick health check daily:
- Weight — weigh weekly. A sudden drop of more than 50g warrants a vet visit.
- Eyes and nose — should be clear, no discharge or crusty buildup.
- Teeth — front teeth should be even and not overgrown.
- Feet — check for bumblefoot (swollen, sore pads caused by rough surfaces).
- Skin and coat — look for bald patches, flaking (mites), or scratching (fungal infection).
- Eating and pooping — a guinea pig that stops eating or has diarrhoea needs a vet within 24 hours.
Common Health Issues
| Issue | Symptoms | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) | Lethargy, swollen joints, rough coat | Increase vitamin C, see vet |
| Respiratory infection | Sneezing, laboured breathing, discharge | Vet ASAP — antibiotics needed |
| Mites (Sellnick) | Intense scratching, hair loss, scabs | Vet — treated with Ivermectin |
| Bumblefoot | Swollen, sore foot pads | Soft bedding, anti-inflammatory, vet if severe |
| Dental disease | Drooling, weight loss, food dropping | Vet — may need dental filing |
Enrichment
- Tunnels and hidey-houses (at least one per guinea pig, plus one extra)
- Forage trays — scatter herbs and veggie pieces in hay
- Paper bags stuffed with hay
- Floor time — supervised free-roam on a guinea pig-proofed floor
- Garden time — in a secure run on warm days (16–24°C), with shade
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do guinea pigs live?
Guinea pigs live 5–8 years, with some reaching 10+. This is longer than hamster-care-sheet/” title=”Hamsters”>hamsters (2–3 years) but shorter than rabbits (8–12 years).
Do guinea pigs smell?
Guinea pigs themselves are clean animals with minimal body odour. Smell comes from dirty bedding — clean the cage every 3–4 days (spot-clean daily) and use absorbent bedding like fleece liners or wood-based litter. With proper cleaning, a guinea pig cage should not smell.
Can guinea pigs live outside in the UK?
Yes, but only in a well-insulated, weatherproof hutch between April and October in most UK regions. Guinea pigs are sensitive to cold (below 15°C) and damp. In winter, they should be brought indoors or into a shed/garage. Heatstroke risk above 26°C is also a concern in summer — always provide shade.
