Guinea pigs typically live five to seven years, though some may live as long as nine years. While they enjoy floor time with their owners, they will spend most of their life in their cage. So while the cage requires weekly cleaning, there is no need for daily walks with empty plastic bag in hand. After a few months of acclimatization, guinea pigs typically enjoy cuddling with their owners and some are known to sit on their owner's lap and purr contentedly for hours. Just remember that each guinea pig is different; some would rather scamper around on the floor and never adjust to long lap periods.
Guinea pigs are originally herd animals and therefore very social. If you are able to accommodate them, guinea pigs are …show more content…
They require a medium to large-sized cage with a solid bottom. Tub cages, which are solid on the bottom and have wired sides and a top, are the best. The cage should be filled with corn pellets, dried grass hay or hardwood shavings. Be careful, because wood shavings from treated wood can be harmful to your guinea pig. The cages should be cleaned about once a week and the bedding should be changed at that time.
Some people have found success training their guinea pigs to use a litter box, but it takes a lot of patience! Depending on the length of your guinea pig's hair, cage cleaning time should also be bath time. The three most common breeds are Smooth-Coated, with a very short coat, Abyssinian, with a slightly longer coat full of curls and cowlicks, and Peruvian, with hair so long is flows to the ground. Peruvian guinea pigs should be brushed daily and washed and trimmed at least once a week to keep their hair free of droppings and