Swiss animal welfare: Why guinea pig companionship is law

Although Swiss animal protection law has been in place since 2008, it still surprises many people. This country, with its innovative approach to animal rights protection, has established some of the strictest animal welfare regulations in the world. And, as reported by the Swissinfo portal, it remains one of the popular curiosities that all visitors still inquire about.

Guinea pigs, also known as domestic cavies, are considered social animals, which in practice means that they naturally live in groups and have strong social needs. A solitary guinea pig may suffer from stress, depression, and even physical ailments related to loneliness. Each cavy must have at least one companion to ensure they have appropriate social and emotional conditions.

So, what does Swiss law say about keeping these rodents? It recommends having at least two guinea pigs, as they become lonely without companionship. Of course, they are not sold exclusively in pairs. This is also emphasised by the Swiss Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs, stating that "guinea pigs are very social animals and may not be kept on their own." It also points out that an ideal guinea pig group comprises two or three females and a castrated male," while noting that conflicts among these animals occur more frequently in groups consisting solely of females.

An interesting practice is the “rental” of guinea pigs. In situations where one dies and the owner doesn’t wish to permanently adopt a new rodent, services are available that offer "rental" companions. This way, the lonely guinea pig has company again, and owners do not have to commit to long-term obligations.

Interestingly, the Swiss animal protection ordinance includes detailed recommendations for keeping hundreds of different species. An example is the prohibition of forcing poultry to wear glasses or contact lenses. The regulations regarding keeping at least a pair of animals also apply to other rodents: mice, gerbils, rats, degus, and chinchillas. Among birds, these include Japanese quails, parrots, and canaries. Domestic rabbits, on the other hand, can be kept alone only for the first eight weeks of life, and later should live in groups, if possible. If that's not possible, they must at least be able to hear or sense other rabbits.

As reported by Swissinfo, compliance with these regulations is regularly checked by Swiss veterinary services, who also establish penalties for those who break the rules. This shows how seriously animal welfare is treated in Switzerland.