Guinea pig life expectancy

Sue and Smartie said:
Most of mine have been rescue pigs, a lot of those we had no idea how old they were when they came here so ageing them was all guesswork.
One of my first pigs was really ill at one point, and the vet said he probably won't make it until Christmas, take him home and make him comfortable. Well, he was one of those who surprised us in a good way and was not only there for Christmas, but the following Christmas also.
On the other hand I have lost pigs too young. It hurts however it happens.
It's normal to dread your pet's death, but your piggy won't be thinking about it at all. All he cares about is if his life is good right now.
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I'm happy to hear that your guinea pig got better! I'm sorry about the guinea pigs you have lost. Thanks! That helps:)
 
mls18 said:
Thank you for your reply! Thats what I'm scared of, him dying withought much warning:( I'm so sorry for all your losses, I'm sure they had a very happy life. Thank you, I'm trying but its hard knowing he could die soon. I hope your guinea pig and hamster live to be much older!
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Thank you! It's always hard and you always miss them... but after a lifetime of having small animals, I've kind of come to accept that they are here as passing guests and if I let that get to me, I wouldn't be able to keep on having small animals at all. So I miss the ones that are gone, but I've become more philosophical about it as I get older. I feel like my job is to give them a happy life while they're here, and if I've managed to do that it has been successful and a life well lived.
 
Freela said:
Thank you! It's always hard and you always miss them... but after a lifetime of having small animals, I've kind of come to accept that they are here as passing guests and if I let that get to me, I wouldn't be able to keep on having small animals at all. So I miss the ones that are gone, but I've become more philosophical about it as I get older. I feel like my job is to give them a happy life while they're here, and if I've managed to do that it has been successful and a life well lived.
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Thats a great way to think about it! Thank you.
 
Cinders- 13yrs 1month
Many ages in between from weeks to years
Last year Rosehip left me after out living her brother Oakley by 6 months, she was 11years old. ,like Wiebke said "they are on loan to us" and will be called back at any time. They are not ours to keep.
 
teddymouse said:
Cinders- 13yrs 1month
Many ages in between from weeks to years
Last year Rosehip left me after out living her brother Oakley by 6 months, she was 11years old. ,like Wiebke said "they are on loan to us" and will be called back at any time. They are not ours to keep.
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13? Thats close to the world record😮 thats so great that youve had guinea pigs who have lived so long! I'm sure they were very happy, I'm sorry for your losses.
 
mls18 said:
Hi!
I wanted to know how many people here have had guinea pigs live 6+ years. I currently have a 6 and a half year old guinea pig and I'm always so worried that his end is coming near:(. He's never been sick before in his life and doesn't have any health problems. I know that each individual guinea pig lives for a different amount of time but I just wanted to know if anyone here had guinea pigs who passed the life expectancy. I've heard of guinea pigs who live up to ten years, has anyone here ever had a guinea pig reach that?
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Hi! I currently have a 8 year old Guinea pig. I’ve had her since I was 20. Needless to say shes been through a lot and out lived multiple cage Mates. I got her and her siblings from an elderly couple who loved Guinea pigs and accidentally bred one of theirs. I think since she wasn’t one of the pet store pigs she didn’t have all the genetic issues they do. she was frisky as ever last couple weeks since the weather is warm. she has allergies and because she’s old it turned to a sinus\ear infect quickly so we are battling that at the moment and doc just found a lump in her abdomen. Doctor was astonished how plump she is for an old pig said she’s 14-15 in dog years making tours like 12! but she has so much fight and love left i wouldn’t be surprised if she makes it another year or so. main thing I’ve learned is their immune systems aren’t as strong so watch for that As they age. Also at around 7 she got old lady sleepy. She won’t move as much to go potty so i gotta move her around more often. I assume that also could be a little Arthritis or general old soreness. She also will take these death naps now where she’s so deeep in sleep, and she can’t hear as well now, she won’t hear me talking and i gotta nudge her to awake her up. I’ll start thinking she’s dead but then she jumps up looking at me like “why the hell did you wake me up “

you hit the stage where now your job is to keep the, comfortable and as healthy as you can. You can’t stop nature and at this point genetics will take over and whatever diseases killed their little ancestors may come for them. Aslong as they are up moving, talking, eating and wanting to chew and explore you can bet they are feeling alright. So far that’s worked for me. Also watch calcium intake and white in their pee and poop. They are more prone to kidney stones with age and those suckers are painful for them to pass.
 
Chanoahlouise said:
Hi! I currently have a 8 year old Guinea pig. I’ve had her since I was 20. Needless to say shes been through a lot and out lived multiple cage Mates. I got her and her siblings from an elderly couple who loved Guinea pigs and accidentally bred one of theirs. I think since she wasn’t one of the pet store pigs she didn’t have all the genetic issues they do. she was frisky as ever last couple weeks since the weather is warm. she has allergies and because she’s old it turned to a sinus\ear infect quickly so we are battling that at the moment and doc just found a lump in her abdomen. Doctor was astonished how plump she is for an old pig said she’s 14-15 in dog years making tours like 12! but she has so much fight and love left i wouldn’t be surprised if she makes it another year or so. main thing I’ve learned is their immune systems aren’t as strong so watch for that As they age. Also at around 7 she got old lady sleepy. She won’t move as much to go potty so i gotta move her around more often. I assume that also could be a little Arthritis or general old soreness. She also will take these death naps now where she’s so deeep in sleep, and she can’t hear as well now, she won’t hear me talking and i gotta nudge her to awake her up. I’ll start thinking she’s dead but then she jumps up looking at me like “why the hell did you wake me up “

you hit the stage where now your job is to keep the, comfortable and as healthy as you can. You can’t stop nature and at this point genetics will take over and whatever diseases killed their little ancestors may come for them. Aslong as they are up moving, talking, eating and wanting to chew and explore you can bet they are feeling alright. So far that’s worked for me. Also watch calcium intake and white in their pee and poop. They are more prone to kidney stones with age and those suckers are painful for them to pass.
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Thank you so much for your reply! Wowww your guinea pig is so old. I'm glad that shes fighting what shes sick with! My guinea pig has also started to go into deep sleeps, i always get so scared. Thank you so much, ill keep all that in mind :)
 
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