Glossary
Definitions for the guinea pig care terms used throughout our guides.
30 terms
B
Boar
A male guinea pig.
Boar glue
Hardened semen produced by a male guinea pig. During mating, guinea pig semen hardens into a seminal plug, which helps prevent another male from mating with the same female.
Bumblefoot
A term used for severe pododermatitis, a painful inflammatory condition of the feet that can cause redness, swelling, sores, and infection.
C
Cagemate
Another guinea pig that shares the same enclosure.
Cavy
Another common name for a guinea pig, derived from the scientific family name Caviidae.
Cecal feces
A type of feces that contains nutrients, B vitamins, and probiotics produced through cecal fermentation. Guinea pigs eat these to support healthy gut function. They are often softer and greener than regular feces, and are rarely seen because they are usually consumed immediately.
Chirp
A rare high-pitched, repetitive vocalization that resembles a bird or an alarm. Its purpose is not well understood, but it's thought to be a predator alert.
Chutting
Short, low clucking sounds guinea pigs make when they are happy.
Crest
A tuft of hair on the top of the head, where the hair changes direction and forms a small, distinct swirl.
D
Dewlap
A fold of skin and tissue beneath the chin and neck.
F
Fleece
A bedding system made of two layers: a fleece top layer that wicks urine through it, and an absorbent layer underneath that collects the urine.
Floor time
Supervised time outside the cage in a safe, guinea pig-proofed area that provides exercise, exploration, and enrichment.
H
Hay cutting
The time of year when hay is harvested, which affects its texture, maturity, and nutritional content.
Herd
A group of guinea pigs.
Hindgut fermenter
Animals that rely on microorganisms in the hindgut, particularly the cecum and colon, to ferment fibrous plant material and break down fiber into nutrients the body can use.
P
Phenols
A chemical compound found naturally in some plants, including cedar. Phenols are harmful to guinea pigs and cause respiratory irritation.
Pigloo
A plastic, igloo-shaped hidey.
Popcorn
Sudden jumps, hops, or twists that guinea pigs make when excited, happy, or stimulated.
Potty pad
An absorbent pad used under hideys to collect urine, and make those areas easier to refresh between deep cleans.
Pup
A baby guinea pig.
R
Rosette
A small, circular swirl of hair on the body where the fur changes direction.
S
Safe wood
Wood considered suitable for guinea pigs to chew, includes apple, ash, aspen, birch, elm, maple, orange, pear, poplar, rattan and willow.
Skinny pig
A mostly hairless guinea pig with small amounts of hair, typically around the nose and feet.
Sow
A female guinea pig.
U
Uri
Upper respiratory infection, abbreviated.
Urine scald
Mild pododermatitis caused by repeated exposure to urine, which can irritate the skin of the feet and cause redness, inflammation, or peeling.
Uti
Urinary tract infection, abbreviated.
W
Werewolf
A type of Skinny pig that has patches of fur growing on parts of its body other than the nose and legs.
Wheek
A loud squeaking sound commonly made when anticipating food or attention.
Z
Zoomies
A burst of fast running, jumping, or sudden movement that happens when a guinea pig is excited, playful, or full of energy.
