Short, tall or grande?
Guinea pigs are not pigs at all! These small animals are more closely related to mice, squirrels and other rodents. Unlike cats and dogs that come in all shapes and sizes, guinea pigs are all about 8 to 12 inches long and have a rounded body (never bony) and a short, rounded neck. Their bright, shiny eyes are on the side of their heads and see motion very well. Males may
be bigger than the females, but your guinea pig should be about 2 to 3 lbs. when it is full grown.

Guinea pigs have 20 teeth which keep growing throughout their life. They use their teeth for chewing hard plants and rarely bite people. Healthy guinea pigs have clean teeth that are not too long.

Look at those feet! With four toes on the front and only three on hind legs, these short legged animals don’t jump or climb. However, tiny claws on each foot are perfect for digging around, but make sure your guinea pig’s nails are not too long and never curl back towards the foot.

Red, black, white, brown and gray; your guinea pig could have one or many colors and its hair could be short or rather long. A guinea pig’s coat is the thing that makes each one’s appearance unique. Look for a clean, shiny coat with no missing fur.

How long is that in guinea pig years???
A guinea pig can live 4 to 8 years and the longest living guinea pig lived to be nearly 15 years old! Think about your future, and decide where you could be in 8 years. If you can see yourself happily caring for a cute little guinea pig, then this could be a pet for you.

Personalities are not just for people.
Every guinea pig has a unique “personality” or individuality, but you can expect most guinea pigs to have some behavior in common. Since guinea pigs are prey animals (food to meat eating animals), your guinea pig may be pretty shy at first. While you may want to play, your new pet could stay away. Don’t chase your guinea pig, but slowly let it learn you are safe and that
you bring treats and food. Choosing a lively pet that isn’t too nervous around people makes a good start, but don’t worry if your pig takes some time to get to know you.

Huh, did that guinea pig just say something?! Chirps, purrs, squeaks and rumbles are all part of guinea pig language. They use this to communicate to you and other guinea pigs. These sounds can mean anything from “hey I’m scared” to “this is fun,” so listen up and try to figure out your pig’s code. Sometimes a guinea pig may even pop straight up into the air to show excitement!
Many books and websites can help you learn to “speak” guinea pig.

Just like people, guinea pigs love to spend time with friends. As a social animal, it is often best to have a couple of guinea pigs that can spend time with each other, but be sure they are the same sex (two females are best) or you could end up with lots and lots of new pets—a herd!