by Worried about your guinea pig’s life expectancy? These adorable critters tend to live anywhere around 5 to 7 years. They have a much longer lifespan than most smaller pets like rats, mice, gerbils, and hamsters.
All of them live about 2 to 3 years. But if you take care of your little furball and pamper it well, it can live up to 10 years or even more.
Today’s post will discuss guinea pig life expectancy and how it ranges between the different species of these munchkins.
So, read on to find out everything about it.
What Breed Of Guinea Pig Lives The Longest?
Peruvian guinea pigs live the longest. Shelties or Peruvian guinea pigs live anywhere from 6 to 8 years. And if you take proper care, they can even live more than 10 years.
At What Age A Guinea Pig Is Considered An Adult?
Guinea pigs reach adulthood when they are 6 months old. Adults do not grow any further, but they require macro-nutrients such as protein and fiber. They need micro-nutrients, including minerals and vitamins. These are available in fortified food that is based on timothy hay.
By What Age Do Guinea Pigs Become Old?
When guinea pigs are five years old, they are aging. The needs of these senior guinea pigs may vary from one another. Therefore, a vet must evaluate them every year to ensure their happy and healthy life.
What’s the Age of Guinea Pig Babies?
When guinea pigs are under 6 months old, they are babies. And like most animals, these young babies grow pretty fast. They need more calories and nutrients than adults.
What Affects The Lifespan Of Your Guinea Pig?
Various factors can influence the overall lifespan of a guinea pig. These factors include healthcare, breeding, housing, and diet. You have to provide your little friend with the best of these options. Moreover, look for a pet that an ethical breeder has bred. As a result, its life expectancy increases significantly.
Tips For Improving Your Guinea Pig’s Lifespan
Guinea pigs live shorter lives because they are exposed to various conditions and so many predators. Different breeds of guinea pigs tend to enjoy a much longer lifespan in domestic conditions with full pampering.
You need to follow various tips if you are looking to increase your guinea pig life expectancy.
Breeding
You must research and find an ethical breeder of these little creatures. You might buy a piggie bred for reptile food or lab testing if you don’t research enough. These animals don’t have much life expectancy.
Breeds
Some breeds have a better life expectancy if you compare them to others. For example, Peruvian guinea pigs or shelties have a better life expectancy as they can live up to 8 years and even more with full pampering. Hairless breeds live short, around 3 to 5 years.
Diet
The Guinea pig diet has a significant role in its overall life expectancy. You must feed it with unlimited amounts of timothy or other low-calcium hay. Prevent excessive sugar in their diet but do include Vitamin C. They love to munch on fresh fruits and vegetables.
General Housing Care
You need to provide them with their cage with lots of timothy hay. It must have a separate play area because guinea pigs love doing activities. Cleanliness should be regularly maintained in the cage and the sleeping area of your little friend. They are social animals, so you can also provide them with a playmate.
Exercise
Guinea pigs are active animals, so they love participating in different activities. They might get bored if you don’t provide them with regular play opportunities and fun.
Veterinary Care
Regular checkups are essential for your little friend. They might end up developing any diseases that might cause sudden death. Therefore, a quality vet should evaluate their health bi-annually or annually.
What’s the Common Cause of Death in Guinea Pigs?
Pneumonia is the leading cause of death when we talk about guinea pigs. The cause of pneumonia is a bacterial infection. There are some more common symptoms of this disease in guinea pigs. These include troubled breathing, wheezing, runny mouth or nose, reddish eyes, depression, and weight loss.
Life Expectancy Table of Guinea Pig Breeds
| Breed Name | Expected Life Of Guinea Pig (with Full Pampering) |
| Agouti Guinea Pig | 5 to 8 years (~10 years) |
| Alpaca Guinea Pig | 4 to 6 years |
| Abyssinian Guinea Pig | 5 to 7 years |
| American Guinea Pig | 4 to 8 years (~10 years) |
| Coronet Guinea Pig | 4 to 6 years (7 years) |
| Himalayan Guinea Pig | 7 years |
| Lunkarya Guinea Pig | 7 years |
| Merino Guinea Pig | 4 to 6 years |
| Peruvian Guinea Pig | 6 to 8 years (~14 years) |
| Rex Guinea Pig | 6 years (~8 years) |
| Skinny Guinea Pig | 5 to 7 years |
| Satin Guinea Pig | 4 years |
| Sheba Guinea Pig | 5 to 7 years |
| Silkie Guinea Pig | 6 to 8 years (~14 years) |
| Teddy (Cavies) Guinea Pig | 7 to 11 years |
| Texel Guinea Pig | 5 to 10 years |
| White Crested Guinea Pig | 5 to 7 years |
| Ridgeback Guinea Pig | 4 to 6 years (~10 years) |
FAQs
How long do Agouti guinea pigs live?
Agouti guinea pigs can enjoy a life span of up to ten years in captivation with full pampering.
What’s the life expectancy of an Alpaca guinea pig?
Alpaca guinea pigs are a delicate breed, and their lifespan ranges from four to six years, even in captivation with full pampering. Some pets can even live up to seven years.
How long does the Abyssinian guinea pig live?
Another relatively healthy animal is the Abyssinian guinea pig, and it can live up to 5 years or so. Some animals can even live up to seven years with full pampering and care.
What’s the expected life of an American Guinea Pig?
The average lifespan of an American guinea pig ranges from 5 to 8 years. However, with full pampering in captivity, some animals can live up to 10 years.
How long can Coronet Guinea Pig live?
Coronet guinea pigs are another fairly healthy breed with a lifespan ranging between 4 to 6 years. Some animals of this breed can live up to 7 years with proper care.
How many years do Himalayan guinea pigs live?
The lifespan of Himalayan guinea pigs ranges between 5 to 7 years if you take care of them properly. But some owners have also reported that their Himalayan piggies have lived up to 8 years.
What’s the life expectancy of a Lunkarya Guinea Pig?
Lunkarya guinea pigs can live up to 7 years with proper care. This is the full lifespan of a Lunkarya guinea pig, and they are one of the short-lived breeds of guinea pigs, even in domestic environments.
What’s the expected life of a Merino Guinea Pig?
The average lifespan of a Merino guinea pig ranges between 5 to 8 years. However, with proper care and pampering in a domestic environment, these little piggies can go beyond that and live up to 10 years.
How many years do Peruvian Guinea pigs live?
Of all the guinea pig breeds, Peruvian guinea pigs have the longest lifespan. They can live anywhere from 6 to 8 years in the wild. But if you take proper care of them, they can even live up to 12 years or more.
What’s the expected life of a Rex Guinea Pig?
The life expectancy of a Rex guinea pig is pretty much similar to an average guinea pig, which is around 5 to 8 years.
How many years does a Skinny guinea pig live?
Skinny guinea pigs are hairless, and their lifespan is shorter. However, they can live around 5 to 7 years at maximum, with all the care and pampering.
What’s the life expectancy of a Satin guinea pig?
Silkie Satin guinea pigs are also one of the short-living breeds of guinea pigs. Their lifespan is around 4 years. But you can improve on that if you provide a companion and proper care.
How many years has a Sheba guinea pig been?
Sheba guinea pigs also have a similar lifespan to an average breed. It ranges from 5 to 7 years and with pampering you can improve. Domestic animals can even last up to 8 years with proper care.
What’s the expected life of a Silkie guinea pig?
Silkie guinea pigs or Peruvian guinea pigs or shelties, whatever you want to call them, have the longest lifespan of all guinea pig breeds. They can live up to 14 years with the best care and attention. That is why most pet owners prefer them.
How long do Teddy Guinea Pigs Live?
Teddy guinea pigs are one of the longest living guinea pig breeds. They can easily live anywhere from 7 to 11 years. But you need to provide them with a companion and proper food, and a play area to enjoy their life. Because they also tend to get bored pretty fast.
How many years does Texel Guinea Pig live?
The life expectancy of a Texel guinea pig ranges from 5 to 10 years. It all depends upon how well you take care of it and what kind of environment you provide. With proper food and healthcare, it can certainly live past that range.
What’s the expected life of the White Crested Guinea Pig?
These guinea pigs have a little white tuft that grows right on them. These guinea pigs tend to live anywhere from 5 to 8 years which is almost at par with most other guinea pig breeds.
What’s the average age of a Rex guinea pig?
The lifespans of Rex guinea pigs max out at 6 years. But it also relies on the environment, care, and attention.
What’s the expected life of a Ridgeback guinea pig?
Ridgeback guinea pigs also have a pretty similar lifespan to an average pig. They can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years. But if you provide them with love and affection during their captivation, they can live up to 10 years.
Final Word
Guinea pig life expectancy depends upon the care and affection you provide to your little friend. Guinea pigs need a lot of attention and love from their owners.
Otherwise, they become depressed, and this is where things go wrong. You need to keep them happy and healthy. Make sure to provide them with various activities and companions to play with.
