5 American Veterinary Medical Association. U. S. pet ownership statistics. 2018. Available at: https:// www. avma. org / resourcestools / reports-statistics / us-pet-ownership-statistics [ Accessed 18 February 2023 ].
6 Bedford E. Guinea pig ownership in the United Kingdom( UK) 2010- 2022. 2022. Available at: https:// www. statista. com / statistics / 515348 / guinea-pigs-ownership-in-the-united-kingdom-uk / [ Accessed 17 February 2023 ].
7 Griffin J. Husbandry and hospitalisation of rabbits and guinea pigs. Veterinary Ireland Journal. 2017; 7( 10): 526 – 528. Available from: http:// veterinaryirelandjournal. com / images / pdf / nurse / nurse _ oct _ 2017. pdf [ Accessed 20 February 2023 ].
8 Pollock C. Behavior Essentials: The Guinea Pig. 2017. Available from: https:// lafeber. com / vet / behavior-basics-guinea-pig / [ Accessed 9 March 2023 ].
9 Kimura B, LeFebvre M, deFrance S, Knodel H, Turner M, Fitzsimmons N, et al. Origin of pre-Columbian guinea pigs from Caribbean archeological sites revealed through genetic analysis. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 2016; 5: 442 – 452. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. jasrep. 2015.12.012.
10 Dos Santos D. Five things all guinea pig owners should know. 2021. Available from: https:// www. bva. co. uk / news-and-blog / blogarticle / five-things-all-guinea-pig-owners-should-know / [ Accessed 9 March 2023 ].
11 Cassini MH. Foraging under predation risk in the wild guinea pig Cavia aperea. Oikos. 1991; 62( 1): 20 – 24. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.2307 / 3545441.
12 Asher M, Spinelli de Oliveira E, Sachser N. Social system and spatial organization of wild guinea pigs( Cavia aperea) in a natural population. Journal of Mammalogy. 2004; 85( 4): 788 – 796. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.1644 / BNS-012.
13 Murphy AL. Nursing guinea pigs – advice to share with owners. Vet Times. 2021. Available from: https:// www. vettimes. com / clinical / exotics / nursing-guinea-pigs-advice-to-share-with-ownerscpdguineapigs [ Accessed 26 July 2025 ].
14 Mancinelli E. Common conditions of guinea pigs: part 2. Vet Times. 2021. Available from: https:// www. vettimes. com / clinical / exotics / common-conditions-of-guinea-pigs-part-2-cpdguineapigs [ Accessed 26 July 2025 ].
15 Edis A, Pellett S. Veterinary care of guinea pigs. Part 1: husbandry, stabilisation and diagnostics. Companion Animal. 2018; 23( 11): 649 – 657. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.12968 / coan. 2018.23.11.649.
16 Quesenberry K, Donnelly T. Guinea Pigs. MSD Veterinary Manual. 2022. Available from: https:// www. msdvetmanual. com / all-otherpets / guinea-pigs [ Accessed 23 February 2023 ].
17 Mancinelli E, Bament W. Chinchillas, guinea pigs and degus: what vets need to know. Vet Times. 2014. Available from: https:// www. vettimes. co. uk / app / uploads / wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache / 1 / chinchillas-guinea-pigs-and-degus-what-vets-need-to-know. pdf [ Accessed 11 April 2023 ].
18 Roberts-Steel S, Oxley JA, Carroll A, Wills, AP. Frequency of ownerreported bacterial infections in pet guinea pigs. Animals. 2019; 9( 9): 649. Available at: https:// doi. org / 10.3390 / ani9090649.
19 RCVS. 2. Veterinary care. 2023. Available from: https:// www. rcvs. org. uk / setting-standards / advice-and-guidance / code-ofprofessional-conduct-for-veterinary-nurses / supporting-guidance / veterinary-care / [ Accessed 14 March 2023 ].
20 RSCPA. Animal Welfare Act. 2023. Available from: https:// www. rspca. org. uk / whatwedo / endcruelty / changingthelaw / whatwechanged / animalwelfareact [ Accessed 14 March 2023 ].
21 The Humane Society of the United States. Guinea pig housing requirements and bedding options. 2023. Available at: https:// www. humanesociety. org / resources / guinea-pig-housing [ Accessed 12 March 2023 ].
22 Animal Welfare Foundation. Caring for guinea pigs. 2012. Available from: https:// www. animalwelfarefoundation. org. uk / wpcontent / uploads / 2017 / 03 / Caring-for-Guinea-Pigs-1. pdf [ Accessed 26 July 2025 ].
23 Blue Cross. Guinea pig care. 2023. Available from: https:// www. bluecross. org. uk / advice / guinea-pig / wellbeing-and-care / guineapig-care [ Accessed 14 March 2023 ].
24 Pets at Home. Guinea Pig Hutches Cages & Runs. 2023. Available from: https:// www. petsathome. com / shop / en / pets / small-pet / guineapig / guinea-pig-hutches-cages-and-runs [ Accessed 10 March 2023 ].
25 PDSA Vets. Vet Q & A: Can I keep rabbits with guinea pigs? 2020. Available from: https:// www. pdsa. org. uk / what-we-do / blog / vet-qacan-i-keep-rabbits-with-guinea-pigs [ Accessed 11 March 2023 ].
26 RSPCA Australia. Where should I keep my guinea pigs? 2025. Available from: https:// kb. rspca. org. au / knowledge-base / whereshould-i-keep-my-guinea-pigs / [ Accessed 26 July 2025 ].
27 Shomer NH, Holcombe H, Harkness JE. Biology and diseases of guinea pigs. In: Fox JG, Anderson LC, Otto GM, Pritchett-Corning KR, Whary MT.( eds.) Laboratory Animal Medicine. 3rd ed. London: Academic Press; 2015. p. 247 – 283. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / B978-0-12-409527-4.00006-7.
28 Humane World for Animals. Guinea pig feeding schedule and dietary needs. 2025. Available from: https:// www. humaneworld. org / en / resources / guinea-pig-feeding [ Accessed 26 July 2025 ].
29 Bament W. A VN ' s guide to guinea pigs: behaviour, housing and anatomy. Vet Times. 2012. Available at: https:// www. vettimes. co. uk / app / uploads / wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache / 1 / a-vns-guide-toguinea-pigs-behaviour-housing-and-anatomy. pdf [ Accessed 26 July 2025 ].
30 PDSA. Your guinea pigs ' diet. 2023. Available from: https:// www. pdsa. org. uk / pet-help-and-advice / looking-after-your-pet / smallpets / your-guinea-pig-s-diet [ Accessed 18 March 2023 ].
The full reference list is available only in the digital edition.
WAS THIS ARTICLE HELPFUL? CLICK TO REPLY
Similar articles in the VNJ archive
Messer H. Improving the welfare and husbandry of guinea pigs in the UK. Veterinary Nursing Journal. 2024; 39( 5): 42 – 50. https:// bvna. org. uk / blog / improving-the-welfare-and-husbandry-of-guinea-pigs-in-the-uk.
Atkins J. The effect of the presence of a herd mate on explorative behaviour in guinea pigs when presented with a novel stimulus. Veterinary Nursing Journal. 2024; 39( 4): 28 – 32. https:// bvna. org. uk / blog / the-effect-of-the-presence-of-a-herd-mate-on-explorative-behaviour-inguinea-pigs-when-presented-with-a-novel-stimulus /.
30 Veterinary Nursing Journal