Guinea Pig Care

Summary: The guinea pig is an interesting, and perhaps misnamed, creature: it is neither a pig, nor does it come from Guinea. It remains unclear where exactly this nomenclature originated; perhaps the rodent’s resemblance in sound and appearance to a pig is to blame. Nevertheless, the common guinea pig was cultivated around 4000 years ago in South America, and has since been used as a scapegoat for evil spirits, a mobile food source, and an exotic pet.

Guinea pigs are large for rodents, and are less mobile than their rat or squirrel cousins. In the wild, they tend to be social animals, and are found in herds, much like cows. They take one mate for life, which is on average four to eight years. As pets, these rodents do well, since they are usually kept indoors, in a clean, dry cage. This helps prevent many of the diseases the guinea pig is prone to having.

In this free video series, learn how to care for your pet guinea pig. An expert will show you tips and techniques to use for bathing and housing your pet, as well as the proper way to pick up and handle guinea pigs. Pay special attention to the important nutritional information concerning food and vitamin C intake.