American
Guinea Pig · Arba · 0 live listings
The American is the classic short, smooth-coated guinea pig and the most common breed in the ARBA standard. Its easy coat makes it the simplest cavy to keep, so an owner can put the effort into diet, space and a companion instead of grooming.
At a glance
The tradeoffs, honestly
Guinea pigs need a companion, a large pen and fresh vitamin C every day, and they live five to seven years. The short coat is easy, but nails, teeth and weight still need weekly checks.
Common questions
Are some colors riskier to breed?
Yes. Never pair two roans, two dalmatians, or a roan with a dalmatian: about a quarter of the babies can be lethal whites, born with eye and tooth defects. For a pet it only matters if you plan to breed.
What health papers should I ask for?
Ask for a recent exam by a vet who sees guinea pigs, a clear fecal, and vet-confirmed sex, since young cavies are easy to mis-sex and sows can conceive within weeks of birth. A litter record naming both parents and the birth date is worth asking for too.
Can one guinea pig live alone?
It can survive, but it will not thrive. Guinea pigs are herd animals, and a same-sex pair or a neutered boar with sows is the usual setup.
Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.
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