Guinea pigs are highly social animals with complex welfare needs - correct housing, diet, and companionship prevent the most common welfare failures.
Guinea pig welfare is frequently compromised by inadequate husbandry based on outdated advice. Single housing is the most common welfare failure - guinea pigs are social animals for whom isolation causes chronic stress. Insufficient space is the second most common problem - retail cages are typically far too small for the species. Hay must be the primary diet component to maintain dental wear and digestive health. Providing same-species companionship, adequate space, unlimited hay, and daily vitamin C protects guinea pigs from the most common preventable welfare harms.