Is guinea pig legal in the UK?

www.bva-awf.org.uk Page 2 Caring for guinea pigs 2 Owning any pet is not something to be taken lightly, no matter how big, small or expensive they might be. All animals have needs which, as an owner, you have a legal duty to meet under the Animal Welfare Act* and guinea pigs are no exception.

Do guinea pigs make good pets UK?

Guinea pigs can make great pets for families but will need a lot of time and care. So, if you’re getting a guinea pig for the family, it’s important that a responsible adult also shares an interest in them and makes sure they get the care they need.

How much is a guinea pig UK?

Researching prices for this article, we found that you can expect to pay between £10 and £45 for a guinea pig from a breeder, pet shop or shelter. The price depends on the breed, but of all the varieties, skinny pigs are the most expensive, with prices ranging between £45 and £150.

How many pet guinea pigs can you have in the UK?

Guinea pigs are beloved by many pet owners in the UK. In 2020/21, the number of guinea pig-owning UK households was estimated to be 350,000 households! Taking into account that each household has several guinea pigs, we estimated that the British population of piggies is around … 850 000 guinea pigs!

Do guinea pigs need vaccinations UK?

While guinea pigs do not require any vaccinations, it is recommended that you take your pet to a veterinarian familiar with guinea pigs at least once each year for a routine checkup.

Can you have 1 guinea pig?

Guinea pigs are social animals that naturally live in groups. While it’s best to have more than one guinea pig in your home at a time, this is not always possible. Make sure you know how to keep you guinea healthy, happy, and secure in his environment even without a cage mate.

Do girl guinea pigs have periods?

Female guinea pigs have estrous cycles in which they go into heat several times a year for several days, with different stages. However, they don’t experience bleeding or periods as in a menstrual cycle. While they are in heat, they are fertile and go through spontaneous ovulation.

Who brought guinea pigs to UK?

Initially introduced to Europe by the Spanish conquistadors, they were valued as exotic pets, especially among the rich and members of the royal courts – for example, Queen Elizabeth I of England was one of the first European fans of guinea pigs.