Guinea pig

The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), also known as the cavy, is a species of domesticated rodent belonging to the family Caviidae. Despite their common names, they are neither from Guinea nor related to pigs; they originated in the Andes Mountains of South America, where they were first domesticated over 7,000 years ago.Key Physical & Lifespan Facts

• Lifespan: 5 to 7 years on average (sometimes up to 8 years).
• Size: 8 to 16 inches (20 to 40 cm) in length.
• Weight: 1 to 3 pounds (500 to 1,500 grams), with males (boars) typically larger than females (sows).
• Physical features: Stocky, tailless bodies with large heads, short limbs, and constantly growing teeth that require regular grinding down.

Essential Care Needs

• Social Requirement: Guinea pigs are highly social herd animals. Keeping them singly can cause severe stress and loneliness, and it is considered illegal in countries like Switzerland to own just one. They do best in pairs or small groups
• Dietary Needs: They are strict herbivores that need an unlimited supply of high-quality grass hay (such as Timothy hay) making up 80–90% of their intake. Like humans, they cannot produce their own vitamin C and require daily supplementation through fresh vegetables like bell peppers or specialized pellets.
• Housing: They need spacious indoor or well-protected enclosures with daily spot-cleaning, as they produce a high volume of waste and are sensitive to extreme cold and respiratory issues.