The American is the classic smooth, short-coated breed and the most common guinea pig in homes worldwide.
Its low-maintenance coat needs only a weekly brush, making it the easiest cavy breed to keep well.
Underneath, it is everything a guinea pig is: a gentle, vocal herd animal from South America that is more demanding than its reputation as an easy children's pet suggests.
Companionship is a welfare need rather than an option — never keep one alone.
Housing
House at least two together.
Welfare bodies set a minimum of about 0.7 square metres for a pair, but aim for at least 1 square metre, with more strongly preferred.
Use a solid floor with soft, absorbent bedding, never wire mesh, which injures their feet, and provide a hide for each pig to prevent bullying.
Keep indoors at 18-23C, away from drafts and extremes, as they suffer in heat above 26C.
Guinea pigs need ground-level space rather than height, plus daily floor time to exercise.
Diet
Unlimited grass hay must make up the bulk of the diet to wear down continuously growing teeth and maintain gut motility.
Add a measured portion of plain guinea-pig pellets and a daily mix of fresh vegetables.
Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C and need a daily dietary source from fresh greens and a stabilised supplement, or they develop scurvy.
Provide constant fresh water and avoid sudden diet changes.
Health
Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), dental malocclusion, respiratory infections, bladder stones, ovarian cysts, and bumblefoot from poor flooring are all common, as are mites and fungal skin disease.
Any guinea pig that stops eating is a medical emergency, as gut stasis kills quickly.
Weigh weekly, monitor appetite and droppings, and keep an exotic-savvy vet on hand.
Long-haired and certain breeds need extra grooming and rear-end hygiene.
Temperament
Guinea pigs are timid by nature but become trusting with gentle, consistent handling.
They communicate through a wide range of sounds and recognise their keepers, often wheeking at feeding time.
They rarely bite and tolerate careful holding, making them good interactive pets for calm families.
They do best with routine, the company of their own kind, and quiet, predictable surroundings.
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate