Peruvian Guinea Pig: How Long Does It Live and How to Increase Life Expectancy. Care and Things to Know for Breeding Guinea Pigs. Useful Tips.
Among the breeds of guinea pigs is the very popular Peruvian guinea pig that is distinguished by its long hair . Before seeing how long a Peruvian guinea pig lives, let’s make some important allowances.
Guinea pig: meaning
The guinea pig is an animal. Its scientific name is Cavia porcellus although it is popularly known as the guinea pig . There are several breeds of guinea pigs and, among them, the Peruvian guinea pig is probably the most popular.
The term guinea pig , however, can also hide another meaning. Cavia porcellus is native to South America where it has been domesticated by indigenous populations since the pre-Columbian era.
While in our country the guinea pig is only a pet, in many countries around the world the guinea pig is bred for food. In the past, the Cavia porcellus was widely used in experimentation and so, the term “guinea pig” is still used today to indicate any laboratory animal (mouse, rabbit, rat…) and is sometimes also used to indicate a person who “acts as a guinea pig” , that is, lends himself to the experimentation of something new and unexpected.
Peruvian Guinea Pig: How Long Does It Live?
Among the various breeds of guinea pigs , the Peruvian one is certainly the most demanding. It is also known as the long-haired guinea pig . In fact, its hair can even exceed 10 cm. The Abyssinian guinea pig , on the other hand, is a breed with semi-long hair while the English guinea pig has short hair.
The Peruvian guinea pig requires more care due to its thick, long coat which must be brushed and cleaned daily.
Peruvian Guinea Pig: How Long Does It Live?
Generally speaking, the average lifespan of the Peruvian guinea pig is no different from that of other guinea pig breeds. So how long does it live? On average, this animal lives about 7 or 8 years.
Life expectancy improves when the animal is in company, which is why we recommend raising the Peruvian guinea pig in small groups or at least in pairs.
Care for your guinea pig
While companionship and community life can increase the lifespan of guinea pigs , it is also important to say that there are some mistakes that can often undermine the health of guinea pigs .
When caring for guinea pigs , special attention should be paid to the space dedicated to the growth of the animal, hygiene and nutrition.
Among the foods that should not be given to the Peruvian guinea pig, we point out cereals (seeds and flours) and other potentially harmful foods such as:
- Rodent snacks (they are too rich in sugar)
- pellets made from cereals or cereal seeds
- milk
- milk derivatives
- baked goods
- cookies
- bread
- dried fruit
- chocolate
- sweets
- green parts of Solanaceae (potatoes, aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, goji berries, belladonna, tobacco…)
The guinea pig , in fact, is purely herbivorous . Its digestive system is delicate. Grass should be the basis of its diet even if at home it is not always possible.
Feeding the Peruvian Guinea Pig
In its diet, the Peruvian guinea pig tries to favor grass (which also has a high quantity of water). Grass can be replaced by hay from a mixed meadow, that is, with the simultaneous presence of a good number of plant varieties. For convenience, manufacturers sell mixed grass in pellet form, which is why the guinea pig must always have a source of clean water. In nature, the Peruvian guinea pig obtains a good part of the water it needs from the fresh grass it eats.
Among the best foods for Peruvian guinea pigs we recommend “Bynni Basic”. It is a blend of 42 different herbs collected in untreated fields and 100% natural. The food also incorporates some wild flowers. The blend reflects the herbaceous species that the Peruvian guinea pig would find in its natural habitats.
Peruvian guinea pig food can be purchased in “pet shops”, shops specializing in domestic animals or by taking advantage of Amazon sales. For example, a 4 kg package of the aforementioned food can be purchased on Amazon at a price of 27.22 euros with free shipping. For all the information: Bunny Basic .
Please note: Guinea pigs do not synthesize vitamin C, so it will need to be supplemented with their diet. Make sure to buy a food fortified with vitamin C.
What does the Peruvian guinea pig eat?
In addition to the grass mixture (which should be their basic diet), Peruvian guinea pigs eat :
- Carrot
- Fennel
- Cabbages
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Parsley
- Kiwi
- Strawberries
- Citrus fruits
- … other vegetables, leafy greens, wild herbs and fruits