Owning a pet comes with health benefits for you, but do you know How long do guinea pigs live?
Yes, it’s very accurate! Getting a pet goes a long way in ensuring you maintain your blood pressure and decreases cholesterol levels.
And when your pet can live longer, the better! So how long do guinea pigs live?
Guinea-pigs live longer than their small mammal counterparts.
At the same time, our level of care could also add them a year or more. Just remember a healthy pet is as happy as its owner.
This article will give you an insight into the lifespan and care of guinea pigs.
Let’s find out how long do guinea pigs live as pets
Maintaining a healthy guinea pig
So how long do guinea pigs live?
They live for five to eight years; this is according to University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary-Medicine.
But pampering your own will gift you ten years of unlimited company.
Although it is shorter than the lifespan of dogs and cats, it is undoubtedly better than settling for mice, rats, or hamsters as your best friend.
So, are you ready for the commitment?
If you are not a fan of commitments, you could get an older guinea pig.
It means fewer years of having to care for it. Unlike large animals, smaller ones need more care due to their delicate nature.
Can you increase your guinea pig’s lifespan?
You get your guinea pig from your pet plug, and once you get home, he looks weak or can’t feed.
On visiting the small-mammal veterinarian, you establish that he is suffering from a health condition.
It isn’t delightful if your seller didn’t notify you before your purchase. You might already be worried about why is my guinea pig sneezing?
But not to worry, as your care can still guarantee a longer lifespan. However, the pet’s environment and genetics still have a say on the matter.
Doing the following increases your guinea pig’s lifespan:
Keep your guinea’s bed clean
Your pet’s beddings will need regular sanitation.
As we know, their eating and sleeping space still has to deal with their urine and poop. It may be of interest that they excrete in two forms.
With the soft type, they tend to re-take it to utilize nutrients.
It means that ensuring your pet’s environment is always clean will save you from the nasty sight and prevent them from contracting infections and diseases.
And in terms of meals ensure they get a balanced diet, are you curious can guinea pigs eat watermelon? Let’s help you figure it out.
Get a companion for your best friend
You are probably wondering if you are not enough for your pet.
However, get rid of those bits of jealousy and get a second guinea! It is advisable to get two guinea pigs at once.
Socializing makes them happy and contributes positively to their health.
Do guinea pigs need grooming?
Just like any other pet, your guinea will require regular grooming.
Most guinea pigs have long fur, which means more work. Fortunately, a metal wide-tooth comb can help to prevent tangles and snarls.
How often should you do this? If you can do it twice a week, the better.
But weekly grooming is still okay. It prevents matted fur from being on your list of problems and ensures a healthy pet!
Find a veterinarian for your guinea
Do standard veterinarians treat these pets?
They may be knowledgeable on various aspects of animal care, but they can’t beat a small-animal veterinarian on their expertise.
So, whether for a regular checkup, sickness, or an injury emergency, you should find a suitable vet in your area.
Illnesses to watch out for
The secret here is spotting these sicknesses before they get worse and taking away your guinea before their time.
Being knowledgeable about these life-threatening disorders would be wise.
They include:
Tumors:
If your guinea pig is younger, you may have less to worry about when it comes to tumors.
The disease seems to target older pets.
To identify a tumor, take note of your pet’s skin and abdomen. If you feel any lumps or bumps, it may be time to visit the vet.
Scurvy:
The rodent family is lucky when it comes to producing Vitamin C on their own. However, that is not the case for guinea pigs.
Fortunately, establishing your pet lacks the nutrient is relatively easy.
If they avoid moving, diarrhea, shed more, scurvy is probably the issue at hand.
So, supplying your pet’s meal with adequate Vitamin C is essential.
If you take note of any of the above signs, it may be best to visit the vet.
Bumblefoot:
As I had said earlier, a dirty environment may lead to infections.
And bumblefoot is a result of your guinea keeping up with unsanitized beddings. It is characterized by soreness at the bottom of their tiny feet.
However, if you regularly clean their bed, the wires at the bottom of your pet’s enclosure could be the cause.
Depending on the severity, antibiotics should do the trick.
Digestion problems:
Like human babies, guinea pigs tend to have a delicate digestive tract.
Therefore, diarrhea may be the sign to watch out for whenever there is an imbalance of bacteria in their gut.
Additional tips to ensuring a healthy and happy guinea
Unknown to many, guinea pigs need a lot of exercises and sometimes outside their enclosures.
If you had a hamster, you wouldn’t have to worry as they are always active.
On the brighter side, as you allow your guinea to do some stretching, you will also socialize with them, contributing to their general health.
You are not the only one that needs a balanced diet.
Your pet does too.
So ensuring your guinea feeds on the correct diet every day should be your responsibility.
It prevents obesity and frequent visits to the vet.
If you like feeding him with peas or corn, it may be best to cut down on that and explore other meals.
They are the cause of common health problems for these pets.
One last thing on how long do guinea pigs live?
Having solved the ‘how long do guinea pigs live as pets’ puzzle, getting a guinea pig is a good idea.
Especially if you prefer a small pet that requires little space and will live longer.
Nonetheless, ensure you get them a comfortable home and find a professional and worthwhile small-animal veterinarian for your pet’s emergencies and checkups.