Life Expectancy

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ksiusha237

Hello. I was wondering what is the average life span of a guinea pig, and what can you do to extend their lifespan. My guinea pigs are 3 and 2... is this old? I read some where that some guinea pigs can live until only 4 and then I panicked about my own guinea pig... Thank you,
Ksiusha
 
Don't worry too much Ksiusha,

Many book that state 4 is average are fairly outdated i even read the average age was 2 - 4 in a book! but it was written in the 1950's. With good care guineas can live upto 8ish years! I'm sure you have many more glorious years with your guineas so try not to think about the future too much ;)
 
The average lifespan is between five and eight years of age, however, different people have said different things. The Guiness Book of Records, recorded a guinea living till fifeteen but this is way above average. It depends on alot of things what age a guinea lives till, including genetics, breed and the way they are cared for. All you can do to extend your guineas life as long as possible is by providing it with the best care possible and even then they may still pass away early then what is expected. :)
 
I see... I hope my guinea pigs can live as long as that. I can probably never find out about my guinea pig's genetics... how old are your guinea pigs? And if you have had other guinea pigs that are in guinea pig heaven now, how long did they live?

Mine:
Hriusha is 2
Shura is 3
 
When we first got our boys Sully and Duke the vets told me 5-6 years approximately and this is from one of the girls there that has her own guinea pigs. She also has had some of hers live till 7-8 years old :) Our Sully got very ill and had many problems and very quickly faded and went to the bridge aged 4 years 6 months :'( his brother Duke is now 5 years and 3 months :smitten: he also has been very ill anumber of times but he seems to be a stronger piggie and has fought back each time O0
Just enjoy your little furbabies, love them and give them healthy foods and take care of them when they are ill in return you will have gorgeous piggies who will love you so much :)
 
Hiya! I asked this exact question on another forum (not a guinea pig forum, but it was just chit chat) and I got about 20 replies in on it. I was pleased to read that apart from the odd one who had been ill, most people reported that guineas had reached 6-8 years. Yay! Good news for us guinea lovers! ;)

(By the way my guineas are 2, 6 months, two at 5 months and Rosie 8 weeks.)

If we just give them the best life we can whilst they're here, we cannot do more than that. We will be grateful that they spent their little lives with us. :smitten:
 
its down to the individual pig we often dont know the history of the pigs some of mine managed 8 a few 7 but mostly its 4 to 5 but I have often noticed that aged 2 seems to be a sticky time for mine no idea why, if they make it past 2 then they tend to be tough and live longer, obvioulsy care is important just enjoy them while you have them , I have kept pigs for over 30 years and this is about my pigs only fingers crossed you get a tough one with a good gene history
 
It is all down to genetics.

I lost 2 piggies last year, they never made their second birthdays(unexplained sudden deaths).

The last piggie i lost was a month ago but he was 10 1/2 years old.

They were all housed the same and ate the same diet.
 
Guineas who are no longer with me.

First guinea = around 5 years (old age)

Second = 2 - 2 1/2 years (eye ulcer)

Third = 2 years (not sure believed to be an infection)

Fourth = 8 months (not sure either birthing difficulties, choking or heat exhaustion)

Fifth = 3 years 2 months (had a weak heart)

Guineas that are still with me.
3 years 4 months, 2 years 7 months, 2 years 7 months

I have found the same Michellemuffin about 2 years being a sticky age. It also depends on where you live as well I think. I live near Heathrow Airport in England, so as you can imagine quite a bit of air pollution. :)
 
I'm so glad some one else has noticed the sticky 2s I feel so relieved once they get to 2 and half, I live by the sea surrounded by downs and countryside perfect as far as healthy air so thats a good point for my babies , if i lsoe one unexpectedly its often around aged 2 wierd 98)
 
It is weird because you would think that they would be unhealthy when they are younger or older, not mid age. :-\
 
This is interesting.. When Shura was 2 he had no problems... he's always been a little clingy tho but that's not a bad thing. When I am doing work at the table he goes on the couch on his chair and towels and whereever I sit he has to be right behind me. And if I get up to get something he tries to follow me.

When you say sticky 2's, what kind of problems were typical for this age? What did you encounter? When Shura was 2 he was fine and Hriusha is having no problems *knock on wood*. Interesting... :)
 
What I mean and what I think Michellemuffin means is they start to develop health problems or for no apparent reason pass away. I think what Michellemuffin is saying that if they reach the age of three they live to at least five (an average age for a guinea pig). O0
 
Dr became an 0:) at the age of one because of malocclusion

Scarby became an 0:) at two with liver and bowel cancer, leading to sepecaemia. He had already had a 200g tumour and lobe of liver removed in May 2006.
 
Awww :( Poor piggies. Adleast now they're in piggy heaven with a never ending supply of veggies, hay and pellets. Yay!

That's good. I wonder why in this age they develop such problems :(
 
My Munchkin died at 2, he just stopped eating and lost so much weight, i tried my best to help him. I bet hes playing at rainbow bridge 0:)

I have had Bokki and Beni 2 years in June
 
ksiusha237 said:
Awww :( Poor piggies. Adleast now they're in piggy heaven with a never ending supply of veggies, hay and pellets. Yay!

That's good. I wonder why in this age they develop such problems :(
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It is weird. Wild guineas live till three years of age, so two will be old in the wild. ?
 
I have had 2 piggies die early, one just passed away for no apparent reason at 2 years old, and the other had breathing difficulties and i think she had a heart attack or her lungs gave in or something as she was pale and her lips went blue and she went v cold unfortunatly we lost her at 2 1/2 years, I once took gucci to the vets when she had just gone 4 and the vet said it wasnt very often they saw a guinea pig of that age..she lived til she was 5, and ive got 2 girls who are both just over 5 years old now, they have health problems, but are still very happy and quite healthy despite old age :)
 
Cavy Crazy said:
What I mean and what I think Michellemuffin means is they start to develop health problems or for no apparent reason pass away. I think what Michellemuffin is saying that if they reach the age of three they live to at least five (an average age for a guinea pig). O0
Click to expand...

spot on thanks couldn't have put it better myself
 
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