# Peruvian Guinea Pig

> According to allpets.ai data | Source: allpets.ai

## Basic Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Species | Small Mammal |
| Origin | South America |
| Size Category | Small |
| Scientific Name | Cavia porcellus |
| Husbandry Difficulty | Advanced |

## Vital Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 0.8–1.4 kg |
| Lifespan | 4–6 years |
| Puppy/Kitten Stage Ends | 6 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 4 years |

## Puppy/Kitten Development
- **Neonatal Weight**: 60–110 g
- **Growth Notes**: Born with short hair; coat grows rapidly; full length by 12-18 months; requires grooming from young age
- **Vaccine Schedule**: No standard vaccines

## Adult Preventive Care
- **Exercise Needs**: Moderate - hair length can restrict movement; needs clean exercise area
- **Grooming**: Very High - daily brushing essential; hair can grow 30+ cm; regular trimming for pets
- **Annual Exam Focus**: Skin condition under long hair, dental, vitamin C, eye irritation from hair
- **Routine Care**: Daily grooming; hair wrapping for show pigs; trimming for pets; unlimited hay; vitamin C

## Health Predispositions
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Infections (hidden under hair) | adult | high | No | No |
| Flystrike | adult | high | No | No |
| Scurvy | adult | high | No | No |
| Dental Malocclusion | adult | medium | Yes | Yes |
| Heat Stress | adult | medium | No | No |

## Obesity Management
- **Risk Level**: Medium
- **Ideal BCS**: 3/9
- **Visual Cues**: Completely hidden under long hair; must part coat and palpate body
- **Daily Activity Target**: 25 minutes
- **Caloric Formula**: Same as other guinea pigs; unlimited hay; vitamin C supplementation essential

## Breeding & Genetics
- **Litter Size**: 1–4
- **Dystocia Risk**: High
- **CHIC Required Tests**: N/A
- **Recommended DNA Tests**: Long hair gene

## Behavioral Ethogram
- **Locomotion**: Slower movement due to hair length; careful navigation; less popcorning than short-haired breeds
- **Social**: Social but calmer temperament; enjoys gentle handling; group living essential
- **Comfort**: Purring, gentle stretching, allowing grooming (sign of trust)
- **Stress/Displacement**: Hiding under own hair, reduced appetite, matting acceleration, teeth chattering
- **Breed-Specific**: Longest-haired guinea pig breed (30+ cm); requires dedicated grooming commitment; calmer temperament; "show dog" of guinea pig world

## Vocalization Baseline
- **Types**: Wheeking, purring, gentle rumbling, chattering
- **Frequency Range**: 200-15,000 Hz
- **Tendency**: High
- **Primary Modality**: Vocal communication primary; body language partially obscured by long coat
- **Tail Signals**: No visible tail; hidden under hair

## Emotional Wellbeing
- **Anxiety Proneness**: Low
- **Top Triggers**: Painful grooming (mats), wet/soiled coat, isolation, overheating
- **Separation Anxiety Risk**: Very High
- **Calming Interventions**: Gentle daily grooming routine, companion pigs, cool environment, consistent handler
- **Cognitive Dysfunction Risk**: Low

## Behavior Problems (Six-Etiology Classification)
- **Top Problems**: Grooming resistance, coat-related hygiene issues, reduced mobility from hair
- **Medical Etiology**: Skin infections causing discomfort; dental pain; heat stress lethargy
- **Fear/Anxiety Etiology**: Generally docile; hides under own coat; rarely aggressive
- **Frustration Etiology**: Minimal - calm breed; may vocalize if grooming is painful

## AI Communication Decoding
- **AI-Trainable Signals**: Coat condition (glossy=healthy, dull/matted=unwell/stressed), vocalization during grooming, body tension
- **Context-Dependent Vocalizations**: Reduced movement may be normal (coat weight) or illness - compare to individual baseline
- **Interspecies Communication**: Bonds deeply with dedicated groomer; calm and trusting; requires committed owner

## Husbandry Environment
- **Temperature Gradient**: 18-22°C (65-72°F); more heat-sensitive due to long coat
- **Humidity Range**: 35-55%
- **UVB Requirement**: Not required
- **Diet Type**: Unlimited timothy hay; vitamin C-fortified pellets; daily fresh vegetables; clean water (hair contamination risk)
- **Common Health Issues**: Skin infections, flystrike, matting, heat stress, scurvy, dental disease, eye irritation

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Citation: According to allpets.ai data