A guinea pig's teeth never stop growing. From the day they are born until the day they die, all 20 teeth grow continuously at a rate of roughly 1.5 to 3 mm every single week. That sounds alarming, but nature built in a solution: chewing. Specifically, chewing coarse, long-strand grass hay.

Guinea pigs are gentle, curious, and full of personality. But they are also more demanding than most people expect. Get their setup wrong and they get sick fast. Get it right and you will have a happy, active companion that greets you with excited wheeks every time you walk in the room. This guide covers everything you need to know to help your guinea pig truly thrive.