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…
Why you need a “cavy-savvy” vet — and how to find one before an emergency happens. Guinea pigs are classed as exotic pets, which means not every vet treats them — and a vet without guinea pig experience can miss things that matter. What you’re looking for is a “cavy-savvy” vet: one with genuine, regular…
The short answer is no — here’s why, and what to do instead to keep your piggy healthy. No — guinea pigs do not need vaccinations. Unlike dogs, cats, and rabbits, there are no routine vaccines available or required for guinea pigs, and veterinary references including the Merck Veterinary Manual state this plainly. The reason…
Busting the most common misconceptions about guinea pigs and smell — both how they smell, and how they smell things. There’s a lot of misinformation about guinea pigs and smell. The biggest myth of all: “guinea pigs are smelly pets.” They’re not — guinea pigs are naturally clean animals that groom themselves constantly, and any…
A step-by-step cleaning guide — how often, what products are safe, and the routine that keeps things fresh. Cleaning a guinea pig cage comes down to two routines: a quick daily spot-clean (5–10 minutes removing droppings and soiled bedding) and a full clean once or twice a week (emptying everything, washing the base, and replacing…
A fair, side-by-side comparison to help you choose between these two popular small pets. Though both are small, popular rodents, guinea pigs and hamsters are surprisingly different pets. Guinea pigs are bigger, live longer (5–7 years vs. 2–3), highly social (they need a companion of their own kind), active during the day, docile and rarely…
Why your piggy naps with its eyes open, sleeps so little, and never seems to stop — explained. Guinea pigs have wonderfully unusual sleeping habits. They’re crepuscular — most active at dawn and dusk — rather than nocturnal or fully daytime animals, and they sleep in short naps spread across both day and night rather…
A gentle step-by-step guide to trimming your piggy’s nails safely at home. Yes, you can clip your guinea pig’s nails at home — and with a calm approach, it’s simpler than it looks. You’ll need small-animal or human nail clippers, good lighting, and (just in case) some styptic powder or cornflour. Hold your pig securely…
A step-by-step bonding guide to help your piggies become lifelong friends. To introduce two guinea pigs, the golden rule is to do it on neutral territory — a space neither pig has claimed as their own — with plenty of room, scattered food, and multiple hiding spots. Expect lots of dominance behavior at first: rumbling,…