How long do guinea pigs live - how old are yours?

[nappyzonehasastroppytoddler]

How old is your oldest piggie and whats the average popping off to piggie heaven age? Just wondering thats all - min will be 2 this year so hoping we have some good years left yet.... even though i have just cleaned them out and said not very nice things

Whispy - feel the same as you and agree with all your points. Made me so upset that those pigs were left outside all night. Personally I would not be able to sleep at night knowing that my pigs were not warm or safe.

silver - thanks. Pretty selfish way to own guinea pigs imho. If you can't be arsed to get out of bed to ensure they are warm, dry and safe then don't bother having them.

one night one night!!! not every night just one - they survived END OFF! Nothing selfish about the way i keep my piggies - they were left out and we thought they would make there own way in but they didnt - an error ffs! Now worry about something more imortant!

The originate from Peru, and I'm sure in the mountains at night it's very cold hence the thick fur.

Anyway nappy I would build them a large enclosed run they really are at risk from predators, and accidents etc.

cargirl, yes they originate from a country with cold nights but the fact is that they have been 'softened' by domestication like almost all domesticated animals. The domestic breed is nowhere near as hardy as the wild ancestor

My piggy is eight, and still going strong. :-)

My childhood pigs always lived about 5 or 6 years. We did have one that only lived to be three and we considered that to be quite young.

Dsis had four guinea pigs up until a few years ago and they were all 7-9 years old when they all crossed the bridge .

I have rescued cavies and bred cavies for years. I keep mine indoors, they don't like extreme changes of temperature and come from the rain forests of peru so don't mind a paddle in the summer when its hot. They should not be outside if the temperature falls below 10 degrees nor be put out to graze on wet grass. Give them a wide range of veg, clean handful of hay and dry food daily, fresh water and youll be fine. A famous Sheltie (pedigree pig) in new zealand was 23 when he passed away last October, record breaking piggy. Mine usually live about 12 -14 years. I have downsized and just have as pets now, so have two baby pedigree swiss sows. Happy pigging! :)

Hahahaha, Nappy you well n truly got your wrsts slapped haha, I'm completely with you, I have left mine out all night before, They are quite robust animals.