# Teddy 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 | Beginner |

## Vital Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 0.7–1.2 kg |
| Lifespan | 5–7 years |
| Puppy/Kitten Stage Ends | 6 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 5 years |

## Puppy/Kitten Development
- **Neonatal Weight**: 60–110 g
- **Growth Notes**: Born with coat texture already apparent; full coat density by 4-6 months
- **Vaccine Schedule**: No standard vaccines

## Adult Preventive Care
- **Exercise Needs**: Moderate - active and playful; standard guinea pig space requirements
- **Grooming**: Low-Moderate - dense wiry coat repels bedding; occasional brushing; clean ears (prone to wax)
- **Annual Exam Focus**: Ears (wax buildup common), dental, vitamin C, skin (dry skin common)
- **Routine Care**: Weekly ear cleaning; vitamin C daily; unlimited hay; occasional gentle brushing

## Health Predispositions
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ear Wax Buildup | adult | high | Yes | Yes |
| Dry Skin | adult | high | Yes | No |
| Scurvy | adult | high | No | No |
| Dental Malocclusion | adult | medium | Yes | Yes |
| Respiratory Infections | adult | medium | No | No |

## Obesity Management
- **Risk Level**: Medium
- **Ideal BCS**: 3/9
- **Visual Cues**: Dense coat can hide weight; palpate through wiry fur
- **Daily Activity Target**: 30 minutes
- **Caloric Formula**: Standard guinea pig diet; unlimited hay; vitamin C supplementation

## Breeding & Genetics
- **Litter Size**: 2–5
- **Dystocia Risk**: High
- **CHIC Required Tests**: N/A
- **Recommended DNA Tests**: Teddy coat gene

## Behavioral Ethogram
- **Locomotion**: Popcorning, zoomies, exploring; standard guinea pig activity
- **Social**: Highly social; friendly personality; group living essential
- **Comfort**: Purring, pancaking, mutual grooming, head-raising for ear scratches
- **Stress/Displacement**: Excessive scratching (may be dry skin or stress), hiding, reduced vocalizations
- **Breed-Specific**: Dense wiry "teddy bear" coat texture; prone to ear wax and dry skin; friendly and cuddly personality

## Vocalization Baseline
- **Types**: Wheeking, purring, rumbling, chattering, chutting
- **Frequency Range**: 200-20,000 Hz
- **Tendency**: High
- **Primary Modality**: Vocal communication primary; body language; scent marking
- **Tail Signals**: No visible tail

## Emotional Wellbeing
- **Anxiety Proneness**: Low
- **Top Triggers**: Ear cleaning (if wax painful), isolation, sudden noises
- **Separation Anxiety Risk**: Very High
- **Calming Interventions**: Companion pigs, gentle ear care routine, hiding houses, consistent interaction
- **Cognitive Dysfunction Risk**: Low

## Behavior Problems (Six-Etiology Classification)
- **Top Problems**: Ear scratching (wax discomfort), dry skin scratching, food competition
- **Medical Etiology**: Ear wax causing head tilting/scratching; dry skin causing discomfort; dental pain
- **Fear/Anxiety Etiology**: Generally calm and friendly; freezing rather than aggression
- **Frustration Etiology**: Food-related vocalizations; attention-seeking wheeking

## AI Communication Decoding
- **AI-Trainable Signals**: Ear scratching frequency (wax indicator), coat condition (dry/flaky=needs attention), vocalization patterns
- **Context-Dependent Vocalizations**: Head tilting may indicate ear wax buildup rather than neurological issue - check ears first
- **Interspecies Communication**: Very friendly and cuddly with humans; enjoys being held; "teddy bear" personality matches appearance

## Husbandry Environment
- **Temperature Gradient**: 18-24°C (65-75°F)
- **Humidity Range**: 40-60%
- **UVB Requirement**: Not required
- **Diet Type**: Unlimited timothy hay; vitamin C-fortified pellets; daily fresh vegetables; coconut oil for dry skin if needed
- **Common Health Issues**: Ear wax buildup, dry/flaky skin, scurvy, dental disease, respiratory infections

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Citation: According to allpets.ai data