Keeping your piggies cozy and safe through the cold months — indoors and out. While guinea pigs cope with cold better than heat, winter still poses real risks — they can develop hypothermia and respiratory illness if they get too cold or damp. They do best at 17–23°C (63–73°F), and start to struggle below about…
Practical ways to protect your piggies from dangerous heat — because guinea pigs handle cold far better than hot. Guinea pigs are highly vulnerable to heat — they originated in the cool Andes, have no sweat glands, and do best at just 18–23°C (65–75°F). Once it climbs above about 28°C (82°F), they’re at real risk…
No — but they do have tailbones. Here’s the fascinating anatomy behind your piggy’s tailless behind. No — guinea pigs do not have visible tails. Unlike most rodents (rats, mice, squirrels), guinea pigs are tailless on the outside. But here’s the interesting twist: they do have tailbones — around seven small vertebrae (called coccygeal vertebrae),…
Yes, often — but a drop in appetite can also be an early warning of dangerous heat stress. Here’s how to tell the difference. Yes — guinea pigs often eat a little less in hot weather, much as we lose our appetite on a sweltering day. A mild dip in pellet or food intake when…
How to recognize scurvy early — from the first subtle signs to the serious ones that need urgent care. The symptoms of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) in guinea pigs often start subtly and come and go, which makes them easy to miss — so knowing what to look for matters. Early signs include a rough,…
One of the most common — and most preventable — guinea pig health problems, explained. Vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, is one of the most common health problems in guinea pigs — and it happens because, like humans, guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C and must get it from their diet every single…
No — potatoes should be avoided. They contain a natural toxin and are far too starchy for guinea pigs. No — guinea pigs should not eat potatoes, and it’s best to avoid them entirely, whether raw or cooked. There are two solid reasons. First, potatoes are members of the nightshade family and contain solanine, a…
Yes — a tangy, vitamin-C-rich treat in small amounts. Just mind the sugar and acidity, and skip the skin and core. Yes, guinea pigs can eat pineapple — as a small, occasional treat. It’s a genuinely good source of vitamin C (which guinea pigs need daily), plus fiber, antioxidants, and lots of water. But pineapple…
Yes — it’s nutritious and most pigs love it. But it’s high in calcium, so keep it to a few times a week. Yes, guinea pigs can eat parsley — it’s a nutritious herb packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and iron, and most guinea pigs adore it. The whole plant is safe:…
Yes — a classic favorite, in small amounts. Just always remove the seeds, which contain trace cyanide. Yes, guinea pigs can eat apple — it’s a well-loved treat that provides vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. But two rules matter. First, apple is high in natural sugar, so it’s an occasional treat, not a daily food…