Guinea Pig (<i>Cavia porcellus</i>) Welfare: Associations Between Husbandry Practices, Human-Animal Interactions, and Animal Behaviour.

ABSTRACT: Research on the welfare of pet guinea pigs and connections between their behaviour and husbandry practices is scarce. Through an online survey among 1181 German-speaking guinea pig caretakers, we investigated husbandry practices (including social composition, housing type, free roaming, enrichment, and feeding), human-animal interactions, and guinea pig behaviour. Most participating caretakers seemed attentive to their animals' needs and welfare, as shown by the prevalence of self-built enclosures (42.8%) and fenced floor areas (21.1%), with various enrichment and furnishings, and mostly balanced nutrition. Husbandry practices that can negatively impact welfare, such as individual housing and no constant access to hay, were observed for 7.5% and 0.4% of the animals, respectively. Eating an

SUBMITTER: Elsbacher T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12024334 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature