Guinea Pig — Silkie (Sheltie)
Overview
The Guinea Pig — Silkie (Sheltie) (Cavia porcellus) is a small pet, around 8–10 in / 1.5–2.5 lb, living 5–7 years. It is crepuscular — most active around dawn and dusk. Socially it is group (needs ≥1 companion).
Is the Guinea Pig — Silkie (Sheltie) right for you?
A good match if — you're new to small pets; you can house a small group for company.
Think twice if — you can only keep a single animal — this species needs company; you have no time for regular grooming.
What a Guinea Pig — Silkie (Sheltie) needs from you
Day to day it needs a suitable enclosure with a moderate amount of space, the right diet, daily care and fairly demanding upkeep. Crucially, it must be kept with its own kind — keeping a single animal alone is stressful and unfair. Grooming need: high.
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cavia porcellus
- Recognized
- true
- Size
- 8–10 in / 1.5–2.5 lb
- Life span
- 5–7 years
- Social needs
- group (needs ≥1 companion)
- Activity
- crepuscular
- Care level
- beginner
- Coat
- long, smooth, swept back
- Grooming
- high
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level |
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 800 g and a ~6-year life, keeping a Guinea Pig — Silkie (Sheltie) works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | no data yet |
| Energy | no data yet |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | no data yet |
| Tolerates alone | no data yet |