Guinea Pig Hot Takes

Guinea pigs need a friend.

Guinea pigs are highly social creatures, and should not live alone. They do not exist solo in the wild, nor should they as domesticated pets. They thrive in pairs or small herds. There are exceptions; pigs who just can’t get along with other pigs despite attempting bonding, but they always do best in an environment with other pigs. At minimum, they need a gridmate. 

They are not props for social media.

They are cute, funny, and entertaining, but they do not exist for likes and follows. Guinea pigs are prey animals and they prefer the comfort of their safe and familiar habitat. Our pigs rarely ever leave the house, and when they do their safety and well-being is our only priority. As adorable as it seems, you will never find me grocery shopping with a guinea pig in the cart. It’s not fair to them.

You can only adequately care for a certain number of pigs at a time.

This number will vary, but every household and caregiver has a limit. They are a lot of work to maintain, and the amount of effort needed for adequate care increases per individual guinea pig (even if they are living in a herd). Pigs also need basic things like nail trims and health checks, done through one-on-one time. Our household, for example, maxes out around 6-8. With boarding and fosters we do occasionally hit double digits, but this is always temporary. That many guinea pigs becomes a full time job, and I’ll be honest, it’s overwhelming and exhausting. Housing that many guinea pigs is always intentional for us - because we have to plan our time around providing the care they require on a daily basis.

You don’t need expensive enrichment. 

Don’t get me wrong, we love all the Oxbow and pet store toys. But they aren’t necessary. They can be expensive! Guinea pigs don’t care about the price and they are generally happy with very basic (and free!) things you already have in your house. Stuff a toilet paper roll with hay and forage treats. Our pigs love a good box for hiding, standing on, and chewing through. Have you ever let your guinea pigs play in a pile of their own dirty laundry? It’s not glamorous but they will be occupied for a looooong time. Guinea pigs absolutely need enrichment - but it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Guinea pigs are not starter/beginner pets.

I don’t think any pets are starter pets, and I will die on this hill. Guinea pigs are complex creatures, and they require a lot more maintenance than people realize. There is a huge amount of time and effort you need to put into their care, and also require exotic vets. Just because they are small does not mean they will not be easy or inexpensive. 

Do you have any hot takes of your own? Let us know in the comments!