Guinea pigs (cuy) are a traditional food animal in Andean South America, with millions raised annually under conditions that vary widely in welfare quality from subsistence to industrial production.
Guinea pig farming welfare varies enormously between production systems. Traditional household cuy kept in kitchen floor spaces have opportunities for social interaction, foraging behavior, and relatively natural movement. Industrial battery systems, by contrast, keep animals in wire-floored cages with limited space and social complexity. Guinea pigs are prey animals with strong fear responses to unfamiliar stimuli, handling stress, and environmental changes. They suffer from vitamin C deficiency if not properly supplemented, causing painful symptoms similar to human scurvy. High-density housing increases disease transmission and aggression. Slaughter practices often lack stunning, and improving this is a key welfare priority. Research into high-welfare cuy production standards is still developing.