How to Choose a Pet Guinea Pig

Last Updated: September 23, 2022

Choosing the right guinea pig does not necessarily mean that you should choose the cutest or prettiest guinea pig you see. There are other things to consider that are more important. Choosing a pet guinea pig should include deciding what kind of guinea pig you want, getting your pet from an ethical source, and assessing the health and fitness of potential pets. If you take the time to gauge more than a guinea pig's looks, you have a better chance of getting a wonderful, long-living pet.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Finding a Pet Guinea Pig

1
Consider adopting an adult guinea pig from a rescue or shelter. Check online to see if there are any guinea pigs in rescues or shelters in your area. You can search the websites of your local shelters or you can use general pet adoption websites, such as Petfinder.com.
- You can also look on the Guinea Pig Adoption Network for adoptable guinea pigs in your area.
2
Call around to local shelters and ask if they have any guinea pigs for adoption. If you don't see any adoptable guinea pigs on your local shelter's website, don't assume they don't have any. Many shelters do not list their guinea pigs and other "exotics" for adoption online.

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3
Look in your local newspaper for classifieds or online classified websites, such as Craigslist, for guinea pigs to adopt. However, beware of back yard breeders who sometimes post there. They will usually have numerous babies and will usually charge more than $20 re-homing fee for babies. Healthy, perfectly social Guinea pigs are frequently being rehomed on Craigslist at no fault of their own.
- Many backyard breeders breed solely for money and looks with little to no regard to health, longevity, or temperament of the animals they are producing.
4
Avoid bad breeding situations. Pet stores and backyard breeders are notorious for selling sick, parasite-infected guinea pigs. Pet stores usually get their guinea pigs from pet mills that are like puppy mills for smaller animals. This is why they often get sick animals in stock.
- If you want to get your guinea pig from a breeder be sure to thoroughly check them out beforehand. Do online research on them. Make sure they are breeding their pigs ethically and with the animals best interest in mind. It's best to visit several breeders before choosing one. Pick the breeder that you feel most confident in.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing the Characteristics of Your Guinea Pig

1
Pick which gender you would like. Females tend to be more calm, while males tend to be more active.^{[1]
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Research source} Other than this general difference, the gender you choose is a matter of preference.
2
Decide what breed of guinea pig you would like. There are a wide variety of breeds of guinea pigs, each with a distinctive appearance.^{[2]
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Research source} To narrow down the breeds, decide whether you would like a short-haired pig or a long-haired pig. This will help you narrow down your choices.
- The American guinea pig is the most common breed. It has a short and smooth coat that is easy to care for.^{[3]
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- Getting a long-haired guinea pig will require a bit more grooming on your part. They need to be brushed regularly to avoid tangles and mattes in the coat.
- If you are adopting a guinea pig from a rescue, you may not have much choice when it comes to breed. If the specific breed is important to you, you may need to go to a specialized breeder.
3
Consider other factors. For instance, if you already have a guinea pig, you need to make sure that your new and old guinea pig will not breed, although male and female guinea pigs usually get along really well. Also, if you have several male guinea pigs in a cage already, it is not a good idea to introduce a female.^{[4]
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Research source} This can lead to fighting between the males.

EXPERT TIP

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian

Pippa Elliott, a licensed veterinarian, suggests: "Consider getting a pair of guinea pigs of the same gender. They are sociable animals and having a partner will help meet their need for company."

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing a Healthy Guinea Pig

1
Examine the physical characteristics of a potential pet guinea pig. You want to be sure it is physically healthy and doesn't have any hereditary problems. Watch the guinea pig move. It should run and walk without difficulty. Look at the shape of the guinea pig. Make sure it is neither too skinny or too fat. Also, look at the pig's legs and feet to make sure its foot pads aren't swollen or bleeding and that the legs are straight along the bone. Lastly, look at the skin. There should not be any bald spots.^{[5]
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2
Make sure the guinea pig isn't sick. Look in its eyes, ears, and nose. If there is discharge in the ears or nose or film on the eyes the guinea pig might have some kind of infection.
- Another sign that the guinea pig might be sick is if it doesn't eat. It should eat frequently, so even if you meet a guinea pig for a short period you should see it eat.
3
Remember to check the guinea pigs sex, especially if you already have another pig. To do this, you will need to inspect the genitals.
- Also check that they are over six weeks old and aren't pregnant.
4
Assess the personality of your potential pet. Just because a guinea pig is healthy doesn't mean it has the personality to be your perfect pet. Play with the guinea pig for a bit and gauge its personality.^{[6]
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Ask the person you are getting the guinea pig from about the history of the pet. Ask him or her if the pig has ever been sick and if its parents were healthy. Chances are good that they will tell you the truth and its always better to ask than not to.

Warnings

Never keep any guinea pig alone, as the loneliness can have a large impact on the guinea pigs health. Find it a companion, but don't mix uncastrated males with females. If you adopt a guinea pig from a rescue center that has been kept on its own, it is possible to introduce another guinea pig as a friend. Guinea pigs are social animals and will be better off with a companion, as long as they are introduced properly.^{[7]
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