| Species | Small Mammal |
|---|---|
| Origin | South America |
| Size Category | Small |
| Scientific Name | Cavia porcellus |
| Category | Rodent |
| Original Purpose | Companion/Show |
| Husbandry Difficulty | Beginner |
| Social Needs | Very High |
| Weight Range | 0.8–1.3 kg |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 5–7 years |
| Juvenile Stage Ends | 6 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 5 years |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate - active and playful; needs space and enrichment |
|---|---|
| Grooming | Moderate - rosettes need gentle brushing 2-3 times weekly to prevent tangles |
| Annual Exam Focus | Dental, vitamin C status, skin (rosettes can hide skin issues), respiratory |
| Routine Care | Daily vitamin C; unlimited hay; rosette grooming; social interaction time |
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scurvy (Vitamin C Deficiency) | adult | high | No | N/A |
| Dental Malocclusion | adult | high | Yes | Recommended |
| Skin Fungus (Ringworm) | adult | medium | No | N/A |
| Upper Respiratory Infections | adult | medium | No | N/A |
| Ovarian Cysts | adult | medium | No | Recommended |
| Risk Level | Medium |
|---|---|
| Ideal BCS | 3/9 |
| Visual Cues | Rosettes can disguise body condition; palpate through coat |
| Daily Activity | 35 minutes |
| Caloric Notes | Same as American; unlimited hay; vitamin C-fortified pellets; daily fresh veggies |
| Litter Size | 2–5 |
|---|---|
| Dystocia Risk | High |
| CHIC Required Tests | N/A |
| Recommended DNA Tests | Rosette pattern genetics |
| Neonatal Weight | 60–110 g |
|---|---|
| Growth Notes | Born precocial; rosettes visible from birth; pattern set by 4-6 weeks; show quality requires 8+ rosettes |
| Vaccine/Health Schedule | No standard vaccines |
| Temperature | 18-24°C (65-75°F) |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 40-60% |
| UVB Requirement | Not required |
| Diet | Unlimited timothy hay; vitamin C-fortified pellets; daily fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C |
| Common Issues | Scurvy, dental disease, skin fungus (hides in rosettes), respiratory infections, ovarian cysts |
| Anxiety Proneness | Low |
|---|---|
| Top Triggers | Isolation, predator presence, rough handling, unfamiliar environments |
| Separation Anxiety Risk | Very High |
| Calming Interventions | Companion guinea pigs, hiding spaces, consistent routine, gentle interaction |
| Enrichment Needs | Tunnels, foraging toys, exploration time, varied vegetables, social play |
| Cognitive Dysfunction Risk | Low |
| Sociability Score | 9/10 |
| Locomotion | Popcorning, zoomies, exploratory behavior (more adventurous than American) |
|---|---|
| Social | Highly social; often described as more outgoing/mischievous personality; group living essential |
| Comfort | Purring, pancaking, mutual grooming, rosette-fluffing when relaxed |
| Stress/Displacement | Teeth chattering, hiding, coat condition deterioration, barbering |
| Breed-Specific | Distinctive rosette (cowlick) coat pattern; known for more outgoing, mischievous personality compared to smooth-coated breeds |
| Types | Wheeking, purring, rumbling, chattering, chutting (exploring sounds) |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 200-20,000 Hz |
| Tendency | Very High |
| Primary Modality | Highly vocal; body language including rosette condition; scent marking |
| Tail/Body Signals | No visible tail |
| Top Problems | Mischievous exploration (getting into things), dominance displays, food competition |
|---|---|
| Medical Etiology | Dental pain; scurvy symptoms; skin fungus causing scratching |
| Fear/Anxiety Etiology | Generally bold breed; less prone to freezing; may vocalize loudly instead |
| Frustration Etiology | Attention-seeking vocalizations; cage exploration/escape attempts if bored |
| Learned Behavior | Quick learners; food-motivated; can learn tricks and obstacle courses; vocal greeting |
| Cognitive Dysfunction | Standard age-related decline |
| AI-Trainable Signals | Rosette condition (well-defined=healthy, flat/matted=unwell), vocalization patterns, activity level |
|---|---|
| Context-Dependent Vocalizations | Higher baseline activity than American - reduced activity more significant as illness indicator |
| Interspecies Communication | Very interactive with humans; bold personality; initiates contact; entertaining companion |