A literature review
Diet and accommodation of the domestic guinea pig population
A literature review
DOI: https:// doi. org / 10.56496 / YQJY8549
Caroline Nuttall, BSc( Hons), RVN
ENVELOPE carolinefrvn @ gmail. com
Caroline qualified as a veterinary nurse from Middlesex University in 2023. Her passion for working with animals began with volunteer work in cat shelters and local dog walking. She went on to complete an Access to Animal Management course and then her BSc( Hons) veterinary nursing degree. Since completing her degree, Caroline has been working as an RVN at a small animal Vets4Pets practice in West Sussex. She has a special interest in rodents and exotics, anaesthesia and emergency care.
Catherine Hemingway, BVetMed, CertAVP, MRCVS
ENVELOPE chemingway @ caw. ac. uk
Catherine qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the Royal Veterinary College in 2006 and initially worked in small animal practice. She gained an A1 assessor qualification and clinical coach status before moving into higher education in 2014. Here, she has worked as a programme leader for the BSc( Hons) veterinary nursing degree and programme leader for the top-up veterinary nursing degree run jointly between the College of Animal Welfare and Middlesex University. Catherine is currently completing a master ' s degree in digital education.
ABSTRACT This exploratory literature review examines the diet and accommodation of the domestic guinea pig( Cavia porcellus), tracing its origins from South American wild populations to its current role as a popular pet, laboratory animal and regional food source.
Despite extensive domestication, guinea pigs retain strong behavioural traits from their wild ancestors, notably their need for social groups, foraging and environmental enrichment. The review highlights the importance of replicating naturalistic diets, particularly to provide adequate fibre and vitamin C to prevent common health issues, and discusses the sensitivity of the species to heat and humidity due to its ancestral Andean habitat.
Surveys of guinea pig owners from multiple countries reveal varied levels of knowledge regarding husbandry and nutrition. Some studies show regional discrepancies in dietary practices and the impact of housing on guinea pig welfare, notably the negative impact of inadequate housing. The existing literature is fragmented and often location-specific, indicating a need for more generalisable research on pet guinea pig care. Recommendations include tailoring dietary and environmental guidelines to the ethological needs of guinea pigs, and supporting owners with accessible, reliable information.
Keywords guinea pig, Cavia porcellus, welfare, diet, housing, accommodation, literature review
22 Veterinary Nursing Journal