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Guinea pigs are some of the world’s most beloved pets. They are very curious, gentle, cuddly, funny and highly interactive animals that need frequent social interaction and care. Although their lifespan is not as long as that of cats or dogs, they tend to be quite hardy and disease resistant. Many factors affect the lifespan of a guinea pig, including breeding, diet, housing, and medical care. However, sometimes there are factors beyond the control of someone else’s that can also play a role. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to maximize your pet’s potential lifespan so you can enjoy his company for years to come. Keep reading to find out how long guinea pigs live.
Life span of a guinea pig
In short, the average life span of modern, domesticated Guinea is five to eight years. If she is lucky enough to avoid complications from any age-related diseases, then the guinea pig is indeed able to live several years longer, but there is a natural limit to its life expectancy, which it almost certainly will not exceed. It is difficult to say exactly what this natural limit is, but based on data on the longest-living pigs (which will be discussed below), it is probably somewhere within 15 years.
When your guinea pig reaches adulthood, at about six months, it will be in its prime. But as with any animal, over time it will begin to show significant signs of decline. By the age of four or five, his energy level will begin to plummet. You may notice that your guinea pig is becoming less inclined to exercise and play. The fur will turn gray or white, especially around the nose and mouth. His toes will be bent upward, starting with the outer toe and ending with the inner thumb; the toes can become thick and twisted over time. In addition, your pig becomes more prone to all types of age-related diseases, including cataracts, arthritis, heart disease, strokes, cancer and even dementia, which begins to affect its behavior.
Domesticated guinea pigs no longer exist in the wild (with the exception of a rare wild population), but some owners allow them to run freely around the large fenced yard. This will obviously provide your pet with much-needed space and fresh air, but free-roaming guinea pigs are much more likely to fall prey to predators and diseases. They are also vulnerable to bad weather and cold weather. This is absolutely not recommended unless you know what you are doing and are not willing to take the risk.
Guinea pig that broke records
The Guinness Book of World Records for the oldest known caged guinea pig belongs to an animal named Snowball from Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. He died on February 14, 1979 at the age of 14 years and 10.5 months. Other guinea pigs have come close to this record (one guinea pig named Bear in 2019 was supposedly 13 years old), but no one has yet managed to surpass it. This, of course, is compounded by the difficulty of actually confirming the pig’s age. The birth of a pig must be documented to be eligible for recording.
What affects the lifespan of a guinea pig
One of the most important factors affecting the health and well-being of your pig is genetics. Like any other animal, including humans, many health conditions (or at least an increased risk of certain diseases) can be passed from parent to offspring. This is where a breeder can play a very important role in your pet’s health. High quality breeders will only choose from the best herd. They will refuse to breed pigs with signs of serious hereditary health problems. Tests are often done to make sure their pigs are healthy and not sick.
With that said, breeding can only get you promoted. Once you have acquired a pig, diet and general grooming can also play an important role. Tips for keeping your pig safe and healthy will be discussed in the next section. However, sometimes, no matter how careful you are, the pig may not live as long as you hope. “Luck” (which means random or uncontrollable factors) certainly has a huge impact on his lifespan. A pig’s life can be interrupted due to hidden genetic risks that it naturally carries, or due to an illness that cannot be foreseen. But, barring these unforeseen factors, owners can have complete control over their pet’s health.
Tips for Extending the Life of a Guinea Pig
Here are a few things you can do to help your guinea pig live a long, healthy life:
- Breeding: When you first buy a guinea pig, health should always be your main concern. Your best bet is to find a dedicated guinea pig breeder with an excellent reputation for breeding healthy, high quality animals. Never trust a breeder or pet store who cannot provide proof that their animals come from healthy, well-bred animals. While good breeders usually charge a little more for their animals, you are also less likely to pay for health problems in the long run.
- Breeds: The guinea pig breed does play a fairly significant role in its lifespan. Peruvians or Shelties are believed to live the longest, while hairless breeds such as the Baldwin and the Skinny Pig have the shortest lifespan.
- Diet: All guinea pigs (regardless of age, breed or sex) will need a well balanced diet of pellets, hay and fresh fruits and vegetables. Owners should give 1/8 cup of granules daily, which are high in vitamin C and fiber. To this should be added an unlimited amount of hay (usually timothy), about a cup of fresh produce (like lettuce or parsley), and a few slices of pitted fruit (like apples, oranges, kiwi, etc.). Try to avoid grains, cereals, seeds, nuts, dairy products, and overly sugary foods with empty calories. You should also avoid meat. The guinea pig is only a herbivore.
- General housing care: To prevent disease, owners should clean the litter of the pig at least once a week, remove uneaten feed every day, and try to keep feed separate from waste. The room temperature should be maintained between 65 and 79 degrees without drafts.
- The exercise: Exercise is good for your pig’s mental and physical well-being. A cage of the right size for running and daily play with the owner should provide enough exercise each day. Exercise wheels and balls are not recommended and may even injure some pigs.
- Veterinary care: Your guinea pig should have a routine veterinarian checkup at least once a year. If your pig is showing severe signs of illness or discomfort, you should see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Pet insurance can protect you from unexpected health bills, but it isn’t for everyone.
Common health problems in guinea pigs
Owners will want to know (and be prepared for) serious and life-threatening illnesses that can take years of your pet’s life. Young guinea pigs with an undeveloped immune system are especially susceptible to respiratory or urinary tract infections. However, even adults are at risk from this; psychological stress, poor nutrition, inadequate ventilation and overcrowding can all potentially contribute to the de
ve
lopment of infection.
Gastrointestinal problems are also very common in guinea pigs because their carbohydrate-rich diet takes extra effort to digest properly. If your pig is not absorbing nutrients well or is rapidly eliminating food from the body, this could be a sign of a more serious digestive problem such as inflammation, bacterial infections, or parasites. Symptoms may include weakness, diarrhea, and sudden weight loss or changes in appetite.
Another related problem is nutritional deficiencies. Since, like humans, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C and must get all of it from their diet, they are also prone to scurvy. Symptoms of this condition include coarse hair, diarrhea, swollen joints, lethargy, and ulcers or bleeding in the gums. Fortunately, if you are feeding your pig with the properly balanced diet discussed earlier, this should not be a cause for concern.
Owners should also be aware of the signs of cancer. Tumors are becoming more frequent, so watch out for unusual bumps or growths on your guinea pig’s body. As with humans, early detection is always necessary for the best chance of survival. The risk of cancer increases with the age of the guinea pig and requires more frequent check-ups.
In addition to these specific concerns, wearers will also want to look for general signs of illness or illness, including lethargy, depression and antisocial behavior, shortness of breath, skin sores, oozing or irritated ears, excessive sleep, and pain and swelling. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should speak to your veterinarian immediately to determine how long your guinea pig can live with these potential problems.
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