Guinea pigs are highly social animals that suffer profoundly from isolation. Understanding their social requirements is fundamental to providing good welfare in companion animal settings.
The solitary housing of guinea pigs is one of the clearest examples of a welfare need that is widely understood but frequently ignored. Guinea pigs isolated from conspecifics show persistent signs of social deprivation including increased vocalisation, reduced exploration and chronic stress indicators. The motivation to seek social contact is extremely strong, and guinea pigs given the choice between food and access to a conspecific will frequently choose social contact. Pet shop practices that sell single guinea pigs and owner decisions to house them alone cause preventable chronic suffering that is entirely avoidable through appropriate companion provision.