Here are some interesting facts about the guinea pig’s life span and some tips on how to ensure your guinea pig lives a long, healthy, and happy life.
Guinea Pig Life Span Facts
- The Average Life Span is 5-7 years.
- Sweetie is 15 years old.
- Respiratory Infections are a leading cause of guinea pig death.
- A breeding female life span is only 3.5 years.
- Chocolate destroys a guinea pig’s liver.
- Getting too hot is a Common Cause of Accidental Death
- No Vitamin C can kill a guinea pig in 2 weeks.
- Antibiotics can kill a guinea pig in a week or less.
How to Ensure a Long, Happy Guinea Pig Life
While the average life span is 5-7 years, a lot of guinea pigs don’t make it that long. To improve the chances of letting your guinea pig reach a ripe old age, pay special attention to his diet. Just as it is for people, an optimal diet with the necessary nutrients is vital to ensuring a long, healthy life. Make sure your guinea pig gets plenty of hay and Vitamin C, of course, but he needs other nutrients, as well, so feed a well-rounded diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Be sure to use our “CanEat Tool” to make sure you’re not giving your guinea pigs food that isn’t good for them.
Another important thing you can do is observe your guinea pig closely for signs of illness. Because guinea pigs often mask their illnesses until it’s too late, it’s important to watch and observe your guinea pig every day so you will notice the subtle clues that something may be wrong. And if something does go wrong, get medical attention quickly. But make sure the vet you go to has experience with guinea pigs. Some vets have inadvertently prescribed medications that shouldn’t be given to guinea pigs and, as a result, have accidentally contributed to their deaths.
Accidents are a leading cause of premature death, so make sure you don’t accidentally leave your guinea pig where it can get too hot or too cold. An ambient temperature over 90 degrees Fahrenheit can kill a guinea pig quickly. While they are more likely to die of heatstroke than freezing, they will die of hypothermia as well, so never keep your guinea pigs outside in cold weather.
What are your thoughts on the guinea pig’s life span? Please share your ideas in the comments below.