Guinea Pig Facts

Guinea Pig Facts – Did you know?

• A female Guinea pig is known as a sow and a male guinea pig is called a boar. Baby guinea pigs are referred to as pups. They are sociable animals and happier in groups of two or more. (In Switzerland, it is illegal to own just one guinea pig). However, Guinea pigs do not tend to thrive with other species such as gerbils or hamsters. Boars tend to be grouped with other sows rather than with other boars.
• Since earliest records, guinea pigs were bred for food in the Andes and are still eaten in that region today.
• In the 16^th Century, guinea pigs were introduced into Europe as pets by traders from England, Holland and Spain.
• Less happily, from the 17^th Century onwards, they have been a popular choice for animal testing. This is where the term guinea pig originates when describing someone who has been subjected to some new test or procedure.
• Breeding has resulted in a great variety of both length and colour of coats. The most common breed is the American guinea pig with its glossy, short coat. Check out our Guinea Pig Breeds page for details of other popular breeds.
• There are many guinea pig clubs which are usually referred to as cavy clubs or cavy associations. In the UK, specialist breed clubs are represented by the British Cavy Council.
• Don’t be alarmed if your new guinea pig is messy – it is their nature! Your guinea pigs first response to a nice freshly cleaned cage is to mark out its territory by urinating in the cage and smearing the urine with its body.
• Their lifespan is not very long: on average 4 – 5 years (8 years maximum).