Quick answer
Guinea pigs are domesticated rodents from the Andes, kept worldwide as gentle pets that need company, unlimited hay, and vitamin C in their diet. They live 5–7 years, communicate with wheeks and purrs, and unlike many rodents cannot manufacture their own vitamin C.
Key takeaway
Guinea pigs are domesticated rodents from the Andes, kept worldwide as gentle pets that need company, unlimited hay, and vitamin C in their diet. They live 5–7 years, communicate with wheeks and purrs, and unlike many rodents cannot manufacture their own vitamin C.
Guinea Pig overview
Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus) is a mammal listed here as Domesticated. Typical weight 700–1,200 g (1.5–2.6 lb); lifespan around 5–7 years (occasionally 8+ with excellent care).
Guinea Pig ecology
Diet: Herbivore — hay, fresh vegetables, and guinea-pig pellets with vitamin C. Habitat: Domestic worldwide; wild cavies in South America. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Guinea Pigs and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild guinea pigs are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Domesticated. See the full Guinea Pig profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Diet and scurvy risk
Like humans, guinea pigs cannot synthesise vitamin C and need daily fresh vegetables such as bell pepper and leafy greens alongside unlimited timothy hay and fortified pellets. Teeth grow continuously and are worn down by chewing hay and fibrous food. Without vitamin C they develop scurvy, which is fatal if untreated.
Sources
Guinea Pig FAQs
What are key facts about guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are domesticated rodents from the Andes, kept worldwide as gentle pets that need company, unlimited hay, and vitamin C in their diet. They live 5–7 years, communicate with wheeks and purrs, and unlike many rodents cannot manufacture their own vitamin C.
What is the scientific name of the guinea pig?
Cavia porcellus — used in research and conservation listings for guinea pigs.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea Pigs eat hay, fresh vegetables, and guinea-pig pellets with vitamin C, with seasonal and regional variation in Domestic worldwide; wild cavies in South America.
Where do guinea pigs live?
They are associated with Domestic worldwide; wild cavies in South America. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of guinea pigs?
Listed in our guides as Domesticated. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.
Social herd animals
Guinea pigs evolved as prey animals living in groups and should never be kept alone — a solitary guinea pig becomes lonely and stressed. Same-sex pairs or small groups work well, with careful introductions. They communicate through wheeking (food excitement), purring, chutting, and rumble-strutting during dominance displays.