How Long Do Guinea Pigs Sleep? | Information and Facts

The best time of the day is rest time. Our pets love it too. Today, we are going to discuss the sleeping patterns of guinea pigs. Just the idea of them sleeping makes you feel sweet and adorable! 

How long do guinea pigs sleep? On average, a guinea pig sleeps approximately 9 to 12 hours a day. Guinea pig’s sleep is much different from ours because they don’t sleep for a few hours in a row, but they take short naps during the 24 h period. Each guinea pig nap lasts around 10 minutes.

This is a very surprising fact because if you are aware of how active they are all day long. Just to clarify, on average, they have 9 to 12 hours of sleep that is consisted of mostly 10-minute naps.

If you always wondered why the guinea pig is so restless and always moving and you want to learn everything in general about their sleep, stay with us to find out more fun and interesting info about your dear pet. Let’s begin!

The Reason Behind the Strange Sleepless Pattern of Guinea Pigs

The Reason Behind the Strange ‘Sleepless’ Pattern of Guinea Pigs

The guinea pigs are prey animals. So, naturally, they are always alert and focused in case predators are around. This is also the reason why guinea pigs often sleep with open eyes as well.

The guinea pigs can’t be classified as nocturnal or diurnal animals. It all depends on the guinea pig, which means some of them are more active in the daytime, dawn, and dusk, and others are somewhat nocturnal as you may assume. But most of them are always most active at dawn and dusk.

The reason for this is that at dawn and dusk, they feel the safest to eat and move around. It is in their instinct to be active mostly in these hours because predators are not roaming around at dusk and dawn.

Keep in mind that guinea pig nap can last from 20 seconds to 6 minutes. You may think this is strange but for them, it is normal and healthy.

These are the extra short naps, and they also have ‘normal’ naps that last for around 10 minutes tops. However, most of the time, the guinea pig will nap for around 6 minutes, and rarely 10 and more.

Related: When Do Guinea Pigs Sleep? | Information and Facts

The Importance of the Comfort for the Guinea Pig

The Importance of the Comfort for the Guinea Pig

Since the guinea pigs sleep so much, the most important thing for them is the comfort of a dark and hidden place where they actually take these naps to sleep. This means, your guinea pig needs a cozy spot that is hidden and comfortable.

For example, you can purchase a sleeping box that is available in many pet shops. Or, even better, you can make the existing cage/box of your guinea pig even comfier.

Just line it up with some paper bedding, or a soft type of hay. If you have more than one guinea pig, keep in mind that this space must be larger to fit two of them.

After all, the guinea pigs are very social and they thrive best in groups, as a family. They will want to cuddle and hug when they sleep, so provide them a big and comfy space!

If you are not sure about what guinea pig cage size is the best, please check our detailed guide. On the other hand, if you are looking for a bigger cage, take a look at our recommended best cages for guinea pigs. 

Related: Where Do Guinea Pigs Sleep?

The Illusion of the Never Sleeping Guinea Pigs

It seems the guinea pigs never sleep. It seems almost like an illusion. Whenever you see the guinea pig, it has its eyes open or half closed. It is almost as if it never sleeps. But, the guinea pigs nap and sleep most of the time with their eyes not fully closed.

In fact, not just during sleep, but in general, they do not close their eyes too much. As we mentioned, this is their instinct and natural behavior as protection against predators.

This means you have probably seen your guinea pig sleep very often. You just didn’t realize it was sleeping.

The Significance of Predators in the Sleep Pattern of Guinea Pigs

The Significance of Predators in the Sleep Pattern of Guinea Pigs

This sleep pattern is very common for protection against the carnivores animals. The carnivores are the predators of the adorable herbivores guinea pigs.

Carnivores can freely sleep during daytime because they are not in any danger against carnivore predators. The most common predators of the guinea pigs are wolves, hawks, owls, and snakes.

However, the guinea pigs we keep as pets are domesticated cavies. With the process of domestication, the natural characteristics of guinea pigs have changed a lot over time. So, it is not very unusual for them to sort of adapt to our sleep patterns.

Do the Guinea Pigs Sleep Mostly at Night?

The guinea pigs are similar to cats and how cats sleep. They basically ‘snooze’ and take naps during the 24 hour period.

The guinea pigs have most of their naps during nighttime. As we said, they slowly adapted to us and our schedules. So, they are quite well rested after the night is over.

Both during daytime and nighttime, the guinea pig will have restful and calm moments, as well as very restless and insomnia moments. The calm moments are more frequent at night.

Note: The common misconception that guinea pigs sleep only 4 hours a day is simply not true, and there are many research papers that have disproved that claim.

The Importance of Eyes Closed for Guinea Pigs

This is a very crucial moment during a 24 hour period for your guinea pig. Whenever the guinea pig closes its eyes and sleeps, it enters the REM stage of sleep.

The guinea pig rarely closes its eyes fully, and when this happens, you will witness a very sweet moment. It means the guinea pig trusts you completely and feels safe around you. It doesn’t feel threatened in any way, and it does this by choice. So, make sure not to make any loud sounds or wake him up for playing or feeding!

This becomes even more common as your guinea pig gets older. It means that over time, it has formed a very strong bond with you, so respect that as well.

What If My Guinea Pig Seems to Sleep Too Much?

Pay attention to this because it might not be so good as it seems. It is hard to see when the guinea pig actually sleeps, or to measure how long it rests. But, if the guinea pig seems too sedentary, not interested in activities, and always resting and being silent, it might be time to visit the vet.

When the guinea pig is lying down for many hours (during the day and/or night), if it refuses the snacks you feed him, or sits in a corner and seems sat and sleeping, then it might be sick. It is a good idea to go to the vet as soon as you can and ask for advice and help.

Related: Guinea Pig’s Health Symptom Checker: Top 10 Warning Signs

What Causes These Unusual and Long Sleep Patterns?

Usually, the cause for such long hours of sleep and being idle is an infection of some kind. The viral ones are uncommon with guinea pigs, but the big concern is around parasitic, fungal, and bacterial infections. For example, in the winter, the greatest risk is bacterial pneumonia.

The symptoms are not just too much fatigue and long sleep hours, but these infections can make your guinea pig depressed and lethargic too. Don’t despair, it can be cured with the help of the vet. You can notice if your guinea pig might be sick by paying attention to the symptoms of strange sleep patterns.

Never wait too long to go to the vet, because infections not treated on time can be fatal!

The Impact of Food on the Sleep Pattern of Guinea Pigs

The Impact of Food on the Sleep Pattern of Guinea Pigs

More often than not, the diet has some effect on the sleepiness of the guinea pig. If you and the vet rule out the chance of some infection, it might be a good idea to focus on the diet of the guinea pig.

When the guinea pigs lack vitamin C, they become fatigued and lethargic. This vitamin is extremely crucial for the guinea pigs, their health and survival.

So, lack of vitamin C from foods or supplements will result in inactivity, loss of appetite, joint pains, as well as malaise (overall idleness and feeling ill).

Make sure to always store the foods for the guinea pig properly. If you store them in very warm and bright spots, just know that those foods will have less vitamin C. To find out the vitamin C levels of the guinea pig, the vet can do a simple blood test to check this.

Related: What Food Can Guinea Pigs Eat? | 150+ Food List (Must Read!)

Sleeping in Groups and Making Sounds

Sleeping in Groups and Making Sounds

Usually, when more guinea pigs are kept in one cage, they sleep together next to each other and this is the most adorable thing you can witness. They gather around in a cluster, and one or a few guinea pigs always have their eyes open to guard the others.

As they sleep, you can see them change positions in the cluster, almost clockwise. The one with the eyes open finds another spot and rests, as another guinea pig replaces him as a guard.

Also, if you keep just one or two cavies, you can’t miss the snoring. When they start to make loud and funny noises like a snore, this means a night-night time for the furry friends.

Related: Guinea Pig Sounds | Are Guinea Pigs Loud at Night?

How Long Do Guinea Pigs Sleep_1

Summary

Hope this article has helped you understand everything related to guinea pig’s sleep pattern. Hopefully, we have resolved the common misconception that guinea pigs sleep for only 4 hours. Please check the reference articles or the list of sources if you are having any doubts.

We have carefully tackled this topic as it is really a sensitive one. Lack of sleep or more of it can also mean that your guinea pig is sick. This is why it is important to always follow their behavior as any change can indicate that something is wrong with your guinea pig.

List of Sources

Sleep in Animals: A State of Adaptive Inactivity

Auditory Deprivation Modifies Sleep in the Guinea-Pig

Models of Sleep Regulation in Mammals

Study of Sleep in the Adult and Newborn Guinea Pig