Guinea pigs are fun little animals that are growing in popularity for several reasons, mostly the misconception that they are easier than dogs and cats, although that is not true; that’s a topic for a different article. Interestingly, many owners are clueless about their Guinea Pigs’ age, unless they have purchased them directly from a breeder who knows the animal’s exact birthday. If that’s your case, you will have to do a bit of investigative work to get an idea of their age. Luckily, your guinea pig will show signs of their age as time goes on.
Here is a guide to the guinea pig’s life stages and the signs of age that are typically displayed during each stage.
What to Watch for When Determining Your Guinea Pigs’ Age
1 to 11 Months
Guinea pigs tend to grow quickly during their first year of life. You should notice a difference in their body size with each passing month. Their growth will dramatically slow down once they reach about a year old. Young guinea pigs also have pointy, translucent nails during their first year of life. After that, their nails begin to get thick and darker. Young guinea pigs also tend to have small, white teeth that start growing shortly after they are born.
The teeth will stay sharp, thin, and white throughout their first year. Healthy guinea pigs weigh about 18 ounces at around 3 months of age. By the time they turn a year old, they should weigh between 30 and 40 ounces. The back ends of guinea pigs are also thin as youngsters, which will change as they age.
1 Year to 5 Years
Your guinea pig will go through more subtle changes during their adult years than when they are young. Therefore, it can be tough to tell the age of an adult guinea pig. However, there are a few signs that your guinea pig will display that can help you narrow down their age. For instance, a guinea pig’s teeth will show no wear if not properly maintained, which will lead to medical problems. So, ensure they have a proper diet and daily access to high-fiber foods that promote natural tooth wear.
Also, their nails will get more yellow and brittle with every passing year. Guinea pigs that are 1 to 3 years of age typically have better muscle tone than those that are 4 or 5 years old. These animals usually stop gaining weight by the time they are 2 years old.
5 Years to 7 Years
These are considered the senior years of a guinea pig. When your guinea pig becomes a senior, you will start to see their features break down. For instance, their nails will get thick and brittle and may not be as effective when it comes to playing with toys and navigating their habitats. They will lose muscle tone and their movements will slow down. They also tend to be calmer and nap more often. Their hair may also start to look thinner than it did in their prime.
Other Ways to Tell Your Guinea Pig’s Age
The only other way to figure out the approximate age of your guinea pig is to take them to a Guinea pig-savvy veterinarian. The vet may be able to do testing and expert investigation via a thorough check-up to gauge the age of your pet. If anything, they can let you know whether you are catching the right signs to determine their age if you are unsure of your conclusion.
Summary
While it can be fun to try and figure out how old your guinea pig is, in the end, their age does not matter if you are taking good care of them, providing a healthy diet, appropriate enrichment opportunities, and living conditions while enjoying the time that you spend with them. So, don’t worry if you do not know exactly how old your guinea pig is. Just cherish every day that you get to spend with your beloved pet and treat them like they have an eternity to live. You will create fond memories with your pet that will last a lifetime for you, whether you spend just 3 years or a full 7 with them.
Featured Image Credit: Naomi Marcin, Shutterstock
