10 Fascinating Guinea Pig Facts You Didn't Know

"Challenge your knowledge with these ten guinea pig facts – how many do you already...
Thumbnail image of Ru, a brown Abyssinian guinea pig, with mouth open wide, tongue out, and teeth visible, symbolizing the playful and expressive nature of guinea pigs.

Introduction

Whether you are a new guinea pig owner or an experienced cavy-lover, there may be a few things you still don’t know.

Aside from typical facts such as what guinea pigs eat and that they are social animals, there are definitely more interesting facts about guinea pigs than that.

Keep reading to learn 10 fun facts about guinea pigs you probably don’t know!

(Note: This post was originally published on 12/31/2021 and has been completely updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness as of 1/9/2024.)


Fact 1: Guinea Pigs are Neither from Guinea Nor Pigs

Illustration showing a guinea pig with an 'X' mark over the outline of the country Guinea, indicating that guinea pigs are not from Guinea.

The term 'guinea pig' is quite misleading. Contrary to what the name suggests, guinea pigs originate from South America and are not related to pigs.

The name 'guinea' might be derived from a misinterpretation or mispronunciation of 'Guyana,' their native region. Their pig-like shape, constant eating, and grunting noises contributed to the second part of their name.


Fact 2: Unique Sleeping Patterns of Guinea Pigs

Illustration of a guinea pig with one eye open and one eye closed, symbolizing their unique sleeping pattern of being awake for up to 20 hours a day and their crepuscular nature.

Unlike many animals, guinea pigs have distinctive sleeping habits, resting in short bursts and remaining awake for up to 20 hours a day.

Their crepuscular nature means they are most active during dawn and dusk, a trait likely developed for survival in the wild.

This unique sleeping pattern requires a safe and comfortable environment, as guinea pigs need to feel secure even while resting.

This is where the Premium GuineaDad Liners and Original GuineaDad Liners come into play.

Designed with cozy pockets, these liners provide the perfect hideaway for your guinea pigs, mimicking their natural inclination to find snug and secure spots in the wild.

Not only do these liners offer a comfortable rest area, but they also ensure your pets feel safe and protected, just as they would in their natural habitat.

Check out our Premium GuineaDad Liners to create the ideal resting environment for your guinea pigs.


Fact 3: The Odd Toe Count of Guinea Pigs

Illustration displaying a guinea pig's footprint, highlighting four toes on the front foot and three toes on the back foot, showcasing their unique 14-toe arrangement.

One peculiar physical trait of guinea pigs is their uneven toe count: four toes on the front feet but only three on the back.

This 14-toe arrangement aids in burrowing and tunneling, vital for their survival in the wild, though it makes them clumsy climbers.

Caring for Your Guinea Pig's Unique Feet:

Due to their unique toe arrangement, guinea pigs require special attention to foot care. Here are some tips to ensure their feet stay healthy:

  1. Regular Nail Trimming: Guinea pigs' nails grow continuously and need regular trimming to prevent discomfort and mobility issues. Keeping their nails at an appropriate length is crucial for their well-being. If you're unsure how to safely trim your guinea pig's nails, we've got you covered. For a detailed, step-by-step guide, visit our blog on How to Cut Your Guinea Pig's Nails. This guide will provide you with all the information and tips you need to make nail trimming a stress-free experience for both you and your pet.
  2. Safe Climbing and Play: It's important to offer safe, low-height structures for play. When providing these play structures, ensure the ground level is well cushioned to absorb any shock. For structures that are higher, consider using a ramp instead of steps. 
  3. Foot Health Checks: Regularly inspect their feet for signs of injury or infection, as their toe configuration can be prone to problems.
  4. Comfortable Bedding: Opt for soft bedding to support their feet. Our Premium GuineaDad Liners are specifically designed with guinea pig comfort in mind, offering a plush AirCell layer, cozy surface that's perfect for their delicate feet. Hard or wire surfaces can cause discomfort and injuries.
  5. Veterinary Care: Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are crucial to monitor and maintain their foot health.

Fact 4: Continuous Growth of Guinea Pig Teeth

Illustration of a guinea pig laughing with its mouth wide open, showcasing its continuously growing teeth, emphasizing the need for regular chewing to maintain dental health.

Guinea pigs possess ‘open-root’ teeth, which grow throughout their life.

This constant growth necessitates regular chewing on food, twigs, and other materials to keep their teeth at a manageable length, thereby avoiding potential health issues.

The Importance of Unlimited Hay:
For this reason, it's essential to provide guinea pigs with an unlimited supply of hay 24/7, unlike portioned meals typical for other pets like dogs and cats.

Constantly chewing on hay is vital for maintaining their dental health by naturally grinding down their teeth.

Our Hay Bar and Hay Box are designed to ensure your guinea pigs have abundant hay available at all times, reducing the hassle of daily replacements.

Dual-Purpose Wooden Castle:

Additionally, our Wooden Castle serves a dual purpose. Crafted from the least dense form of hardwood, it's not only an ideal hideout for your guinea pigs but also an excellent chew toy.

The hardness of the wood encourages guinea pigs to chew, contributing further to their dental health. This unique product provides both a safe space and a means to keep your pet's teeth in top condition.

By offering these solutions, you can ensure your guinea pigs are both happy and healthy, with ample opportunities to naturally care for their teeth.

 

Fact 5: The Remarkable Development of Newborn Guinea Pigs

Illustration of a newborn baby guinea pig running, depicting their advanced state at birth with full fur and teeth, highlighting their precocial nature essential for survival.

Baby guinea pigs are born in a highly advanced state – fully furred, with teeth, and capable of running just hours after birth.

This precocial nature is vital for their survival as prey animals.


Fact 6: The Joyful 'Popcorning' of Guinea Pigs

Illustration of a joyful guinea pig performing 'popcorning,' where it is jumping and twisting in the air, capturing the essence of their happiness and the playful movement similar to popcorn kernels popping.

Exhibiting sheer happiness, guinea pigs perform a unique activity known as ‘popcorning,’ where they spontaneously jump and twist in the air, reminiscent of popcorn kernels popping.


Fact 7: Unique Eye Secretions for Self-Cleaning

Illustration of a guinea pig with a white tear-like secretion coming from its eye, depicting the guinea pig using its paw to wipe it off, demonstrating their normal self-cleaning behavior involving milky eye secretions.

Guinea pigs secrete a milky substance from their eyes, used for lubrication and cleaning.

This is a normal grooming behavior, though any significant change in the amount should be checked by a vet.


Fact 8: Guinea Pigs Often Sleep with Open Eyes

Illustration of a guinea pig sleeping with its eyes open, symbolized by 'zzz' above its head, depicting their natural behavior as prey animals to stay alert to potential dangers even while resting.

As prey animals, guinea pigs have adapted to sleep with their eyes open or partially open.

This instinctual behavior helps them stay alert to potential dangers even while resting.


Fact 9: Distinctive Rosettes of Certain Guinea Pig Breeds

Illustration of an Abyssinian guinea pig, showcasing its unique swirly fur pattern with prominent rosettes or cowlicks on its back and head, highlighting the breed's distinct appearance.

The Abyssinian guinea pig breed is known for its rosettes or cowlicks, creating a unique swirly fur pattern.

Show Abyssinians are characterized by an even number of rosettes, adding to their distinct appearance.


Fact 10: The Wide Field of Vision of Guinea Pigs

Illustration showing a guinea pig centered within an almost complete circular arc, representing its impressive 340-degree field of vision, essential for monitoring surroundings and survival.

Guinea pigs have an impressively large field of vision, spanning approximately 340 degrees.

This wide range allows them to monitor their surroundings effectively, an essential trait for their survival.

 

Comprehensive infographic summarizing 10 key facts about guinea pigs, combining illustrations of their origin, unique sleeping patterns, toe count, tooth growth, newborn development, 'popcorning' behavior, eye secretions, open-eyed sleep, rosette fur patterns, and wide field of vision. Designed for educational purposes and ideal for printing.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed these enlightening guinea pig facts! These little creatures have a wealth of surprising traits that make them fascinating pets and companions.

Stay tuned for more interesting insights into the animal kingdom.

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23 comments

I am 64 years young and got my guinea, Hudson, in May 2021. My granddaughter was gifted her guinea, Sofie Mae, a few weeks before by her dad and mom. I knew the moment I saw Sofie that I had to have a guinea pig, too. My sweet husband was in the pet shop, where Hudson had been delivered a few hours earlier. He surprised me a couple of hours later with my guinea, cage and everything he needed. One look at his handsome little face and I immediately named him Hudson.

Allow me back up a few months on how Hudson became a part of our family. My precious mom had dementia and I was her caretaker in our home for 3 years, until she passed away. We were extremely close. So close that when she passed, I was at a loss of what to do with all the time I had on my hands. I could feel depression closing in on me, as much as I fought it. It was a few months later when I was first introduced to Sofie, then Hudson. Family is important to me, even our smallest members. I would have never guessed that Sofie and my Hudson could give me so many reasons to smile. Hudson is so funny, smart, cuddly and has a huge personality for such a small creature. Most of all, as my granddaughter tells me about our guineas, they are spoiled rotten. When she comes to spend the night, so does Sofie. She has her own separate space away from Hudson, but close enough for them to chatter with one another. Guineas are such a joy to love on. ❤️ my guinea family!

Carole

Very cute NotFromGuinea..GuineaPigs trivia 🐷🐷🦛🦛

Lyn

LOVED❤️ The Ten Fun Facts!!

Thank You for Sharing!

Candy Hooker

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