Soins du cochon d'Inde — Guide complet pour les nouveaux propriétaires
Shukshuk team
Le cochon d'Inde est un animal de compagnie sociable et sensible, avec un besoin particulier de vitamine C quotidienne et une règle stricte : ne jamais le loger avec un lapin. Ce guide résume les bases des soins du cochon d'Inde et ce qui compte pour en garder un en Israël.
The Short Answer, in Numbers
- Enclosure: for a pair, at least 2m x 50cm and 30cm high, with a solid floor, not wire. - Temperature: comfortable between 18 and 23°C. In an Israeli summer that means an air-conditioned room, not a balcony. - Food: 80 to 90% hay without limit, a cup of fresh vegetables per guinea pig a day, and a little pellet. - Vitamin C: their body cannot make it. At least 10mg per kg of body weight a day, 30mg for a pregnant female. - Company: at least two, of the same sex. Never with a rabbit. - Lifespan: 4 to 8 years. The figures were checked on 3 October 2026 against the RSPCA, the PDSA and the Merck Veterinary Manual; sources are at the bottom.
A Spacious, Heat-Sensitive Cage
RSPCA Australia recommends an enclosure of at least 2m x 0.5m (one square metre) and at least 30cm high for a pair of guinea pigs, and bigger is better. The floor should be solid (not wire), with dust-free bedding such as paper or plant-based litter, not wood shavings. Clean it at least two to three times a week and change the bedding completely once a week. Heat is the big danger in Israel: guinea pigs are comfortable only in a narrow range of 18 to 23°C and prefer low humidity (below 50%). Heat combined with humidity, as on the coastal plain in summer, puts them at risk. Keep the cage in a ventilated or air-conditioned room, out of direct sun, and not on a balcony.
Diet: Hay, Vegetables, and Daily Vitamin C
About 80–90% of the diet should be good-quality hay, available without limit. The PDSA recommends a cup of fresh vegetables per guinea pig a day and a small amount of guinea pig pellets. Critical: unlike most mammals, guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C themselves and depend entirely on a daily external supply. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual they need at least 10mg of vitamin C per kg of body weight a day, and a pregnant female 30mg per kg. A deficiency causes scurvy, a life-threatening illness; signs to know are a rough coat, lameness, weight loss, diarrhoea and sudden illness. Note that the vitamin C in commercial pellets degrades over time once the bag is opened (exposure to air and light), so even with a fortified pellet, fresh vegetables should remain the reliable ongoing source.
Strong Social Needs: Never Alone
Guinea pigs are highly social animals and must never be kept alone. The sources do not fully agree on the number: the RSPCA says they are happiest in pairs, and the PDSA recommends groups of three or more. The minimum everyone agrees on is two, preferably of the same sex to avoid litters.
Critical: Never with Rabbits
Guinea pigs must never be housed together with rabbits, even with good intentions ("company for the rabbit"). Rabbits and guinea pigs have different dietary needs, rabbits can injure guinea pigs, and guinea pigs can catch diseases that rabbits carry but are immune to.
Safe Handling, Low to a Surface
Handle guinea pigs gently and low to a surface or the floor to prevent injury from a fall, they are relatively nervous animals and can be startled by sudden movement.
An Exotic Vet and Lifespan
Find a vet experienced with exotic pets/rodents in advance, rather than waiting for a problem to arise. According to the PDSA a guinea pig lives 4 to 8 years (the RSPCA says typically 5 to 6), a fairly long commitment relative to its small size.
Israel: The Law and Common Mistakes
There is no guinea-pig-specific law in Israel; the 1994 Animal Welfare Law applies to them like any kept animal, and the 2009 regulations (requiring a minimum cage floor area of about 600cm²) mainly govern commercial operations like pet shops. Guinea pigs are sensitive to extreme heat; keep them in a ventilated, cool spot, especially during the Israeli summer, and never leave one in a parked car. Common mistakes: keeping a single guinea pig "for company" for a rabbit, feeding muesli instead of hay, and irregular vitamin C supply.
If You Cannot Go On, or Have Gear Left Over
A guinea pig lives up to eight years, and life sometimes changes before that. Never release one in a garden or park: a house animal does not survive outdoors, and that is abandonment under the law. The route that works is finding it a home yourself, together with the cage and gear, because the adopter saves the big expense. Every route is set out in the guide on where to rehome a pet, and on Shukshuk you can post a free giveaway listing. And if the guinea pigs are gone and a cage, run or hay rack is left, you can give it away or sell it on Shukshuk to someone just starting out.
FAQ
How much vitamin C does a guinea pig need?
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, at least 10mg per kg of body weight a day, and 30mg per kg for a pregnant female. The steady source is fresh vegetables, because the vitamin in pellets degrades once the bag is open.
Can a guinea pig live with a rabbit?
No, guinea pigs and rabbits must never be housed together; they have different dietary needs, and rabbits can injure guinea pigs.
Why is vitamin C so important for guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C themselves and depend on a daily dietary supply; a deficiency can cause scurvy, a life-threatening illness.
Can you keep a single guinea pig alone?
It's not recommended, guinea pigs are highly social and need a same-sex companion for their mental and physical wellbeing.
