Guinea Pig Their Diet Plan and Life Span

Guinea Pigs are actually domestic pig breed. Guinea belongs to specie Rodentiawith growing incisors in each upper and lower jaw. These belong to the family Caviidaeand genus Cavia.Despite of the common name, guinea pigs are not native to Guinea, nor are they closely biologically related to pigs, and the origin of the name is still unclear.  These are originated in Andes of South America. Their body weight is between 500 to 1,500 grams(roughly 1 to 3 pounds) and having a body 20 to 40 cm(8 to 16 inches) long.

Diet Plan

Following is the diet plan for Guinea Pig.

Fruit and vegetable

Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to about one cup total per guinea pig per day. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, kale, cilantro or parsley should comprise the bulk of your pig’s fresh produce. Vegetables like red or green pepper, broccoli and tomatoes have high levels of vitamin Cin them and are great daily options. Add carrots, zucchini and sweet potatoonce or twice a week.

Commercial food

 Choose vitamin C-fortified pellets with no seeds or dried fruit added. Because vitamin C usually degrades rather quickly, it is crucial to also offer your guinea pig vitamin C-rich vegetables and fruit on a daily basis. About 1/8 cupof pellets once a day—supplemented by hay and fresh vegetables as described below—will be enough.

Timothy hay

 Provide an unlimited quantity of fresh timothy hay every day. Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth.

Life Span

Guinea pigs have longer life spans than many other pet rodents. While your guinea pig could easily be around for five years or more, mice and hamsters live just a couple of years. The longer life span means more responsibility and a longer commitment, especially if you want your guinea pig to live a healthy happy life.

Average Life Span

Guinea pigs live an average of five to seven years, according to the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Veterinary Medicine. Average means some guinea pigs live longer lives and some live shorter lives. For example, the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology points out that guinea pig can live up to 14 years.

Life Span According to Breed

Which type of guinea pig you have at home determines how long he can live. Hairless guinea pigs, for example, have a higher life span average seven to eight years than other types. Long-haired guinea pigs, on the other hand, live less, with average life spans of five to six years.

How Diet Affects Life Span

How well you care for your guinea pig will affect how long she lives. A healthy, well-balanced diet will do wonders to extend your guinea pig’s life. For example, the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Veterinary Medicine recommends not feeding alfalfa hay to your guinea pig because its high calcium content can cause health issues. Instead, buy Timothy hay or orchard grass. Also, guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C and must be fed supplements or fruits high in vitamin C in order to stay healthy.