It’s pretty easy to tell if a guinea pig has been fully weaned from their mother. A nursing piggy will tend to stick quite close by to their mothers for safety, comfort and to feed whenever hungry. However, guinea pigs are born almost completely physically independent from their mother besides their need for milk, so once weaned, it’s pretty common to see young piggies venture away from their mothers and interact with them a lot less.

Thankfully, baby guinea pigs don’t have any specific needs or requirements that you must see to. They are almost fully independent from their first day in the big wide world! Their only requirement is that they must be kept close to their mother as they will need to nurse from her. Guinea pig milk is full of healthy fats, vitamins, and antibodies to help the babies grow big and strong.

Bladder stones are a common condition in guinea pigs and are found to be quite painful in most cases. Bladder stones are small masses of minerals that the body wasn’t unable to absorb which led them to crystallising in the urinary tract. They can be found in any part of the urinary tract, starting at the kidneys and all the way down to the urethra. 

Traditionally, sawdust was the go-to bedding for guinea pigs until owners and researchers noticed that guinea pigs were frequently developing respiratory conditions. It was quickly discovered the source of this was the sawdust, as it was extremely fine and far too easy for a piggy to inhale. Their bodies aren’t able to effectively filter out the dust, so it remains inside and can lead to discomfort and infections.

For the most part, juice is not safe for guinea pigs. Most juices are very high in sugar, calcium and phosphorus which can lead to a variety of health issues such as diarrhoea, weight gain, kidney and bladder stones.

Fruits are a great treat for your guinea pig. They are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that are super beneficial for your guinea pig to maintain their ideal health. If you’re interested in giving your guinea pig fruits, it’s important to know which ones are safe and ones to avoid.

No guinea pig owner likes the idea of their precious guinea pigs falling ill, but sadly it is something that is bound to happen at some point in time. In the meantime, it’s always a great idea to learn about the common signs and symptoms of sickness, so you know exactly what to look for if you suspect your guinea pig is getting sick.

Guinea pigs are extremely interesting animals, with a plethora of wonderful traits and quirks. Most people have a basic knowledge of guinea pigs, but there is so much more to them that we would love to share. They are an animal that has evolved and survived for millions of years, and throughout that time have developed some amazing features. So, let us share with you 5 must-know facts about guinea pigs.

If you’re wanting to introduce a new guinea pig into your home then it’s crucial to be confident in their sex, especially if you are introducing them to a group with unneutered piggies. While most guinea pig breeders and pet shops sex them before selling or displaying, it never hurts to have a look yourself.

Just like with any animal, the different breeds within the species can come with great variety in their physical appearance. For the most part, the changes from breed to breed in guinea pigs are mainly differences in their fur colours, patterns and length. However, there are some breeds that get a little bigger than others.

Guinea pigs are quite good at hiding their pregnancies, and in many cases owners may never know they’re pregnant until they’re in active labour, or even just a few days before. However, this is not the ideal situation. If you have a female who is in a position where she may become pregnant, then you should be on the constant look out for signs of pregnancy.

Lice are extremely annoying and durable little creatures and can be hiding almost anywhere. The majority of the time you will find your guinea pig lice has come from another guinea pig. Lice spreads incredibly easily from one to another, and before long your entire herd can become infested.

Helping your piggies live a long and fulfilling life is certainly any owner’s biggest goal. The main way of ensuring your guinea pigs live to their old guinea pig age is maintaining their health. Keeping their environment sanitary through daily cleaning, keeping their diet balanced with veggies, pellets and hay and providing them with plenty of toys, tunnels and hutches.

Just like every animal, guinea pigs are prone to certain health issues. As a piggy parent, it’s crucial to have an understanding of the guinea pig health problems that your piggies may be at risk of, the typical symptoms they present and ways they can be prevented.

Scurvy is a condition that develops due to prolonged vitamin C deficiency, and can be fatal if left untreated. Guinea pigs are one of the few animals that aren’t able to produce their own vitamin C, so require outside sources of it. Common symptoms of Scurvy include swollen feet, loss of appetite, a rough coat and diarrhoea.

We can’t do much about genetics, but as a guinea pig parent, you should be aware of everything you can do to keep your cavy healthy for as long as possible. For example, they need a very healthy diet, little to no sugar and the opportunity to exercise. Much like us, if these factors are combined, they have a great chance of living a full and long life.

For a guinea pig that needs to gain weight, it may be best to temporarily change their hay type. Grass hays are recommended due to their low calcium, low fibre and low protein contents. However, switching to a hay that's higher in these nutrients, like alfalfa or oat hay, may provide immediate results.

One of the most common causes of ear infections in guinea pigs is poor hygiene. Guinea pigs produce a waxy substance called cerumen, which accumulates in their ears over time. Failure to clean the ears regularly can cause the cerumen to build up, leading to inflammation and infection.

One of the most common causes of eye swelling in guinea pigs is an eye infection. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can cause inflammation and swelling in the eye, leading to discomfort and pain. Other signs of eye infections include discharge from the eye, redness, and crusting around the eye.

Guinea pigs can become sexually mature at a very early age. Some can only be 5-6 weeks old when they get pregnant. Male guinea pigs as young as 3 weeks are able to impregnate a female so if you have both female and male cavies, or your female has been in contact with a healthy male – be careful, as you could become a cavy grandparent a lot sooner than you thought.

Guinea pig insurance is a type of pet insurance that provides coverage for veterinary expenses related to your guinea pig's health. This can include routine check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments for illnesses or injuries. The cost of insurance varies depending on the coverage you choose, but it typically ranges from £10 to £25 per month.