Cavia porcellus
Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs are chatty, gentle herd animals that thrive in company and need a much larger, flatter enclosure than pet-shop cages provide.
CaviidaeLifespan 5–8 yearsCare complexity 3/5Suitable for beginners
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Cavia porcellus
- Family
- Caviidae
- Origin
- Domesticated in the Andes of South America
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
- Adult size
- 20–30 cm
- Weight
- 700–1200 g
- Temperament
- Gentle, vocal and highly social
- Activity level
- Moderate, active in short bursts through the day
- Social needs
- Very high — keeping one alone is banned in some countries
- Intelligence
- Learns names, routines and simple targets
- Noise
- Very vocal, especially around feeding time
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Minimum 1.2 x 0.6 m for a pair, larger for trios, on one level with hiding places
- Space requirement
- Ground-level space matters more than height
- Temperature
- 18–24°C; sensitive to both heat and cold
- Humidity
- Moderate, dry bedding is essential
- Exercise
- Daily floor time in a safe enclosed area
- Grooming
- Weekly brushing; long-haired breeds need daily care and trimming
Diet and feeding
Unlimited grass hay, daily vitamin C-rich fresh vegetables and a measured fortified pellet
Behaviour and compatibility
Wheeking for food, popcorning when happy, chattering teeth when annoyed
- With children
- Good family pets with adult oversight of handling and cleaning
- With other animals
- Keep with other guinea pigs only
- Training difficulty
- Low
Health
- Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy)
- Dental malocclusion
- Bladder stones
- Respiratory infections
- Ovarian cysts
Cannot synthesise vitamin C — dietary supply is mandatory. Needs an exotics-experienced vet
Special care requirements
Never house on wire floors; provide multiple hides so no pig is cornered