The RSPCA have warned that breeding of guinea pigs has 'become out of control' in certain households as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of the biggest issues facing the charity relates to guinea pigs in multi-animal households where breeding has become 'out of control'.

Further concerns have been raised that vets have had to prioritise emergencies during the pandemic, meaning there could be lots more unneutered guinea pigs having unwanted litters.

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Dr Jane Tyson, the RSPCA’s rodent expert, said: “Guinea pigs breed incredibly quickly so one unneutered pair can quickly lead to an owner having lots of guinea pigs on their hands!

"We would always advise owners to have their male guinea pigs neutered before introducing them to a female.

We also find that guinea pigs can sometimes be mis-sexed by the seller or previous owner which leads to accidental breeding so it’s also important to make sure that your guinea pigs see a vet regularly who would be able to spot if they have been identified incorrectly.

“Many of the guinea pigs that come into our care have come from a multi-animal home where there have been large numbers of guinea pigs living in often cramped, dirty and unsuitable conditions.

"This also means that they may have experienced very little handling and are wary and fearful of human hands and need their confidence building up in RSPCA care.

“This is why, this Guinea Pig Appreciation Day, we wanted to encourage people to neuter their guinea pigs and help tackle the problem of overbreeding.”

Chief Veterinary Officer, Caroline Allen said: "On average a litter contains two to four guinea pigs, but can be as large as eight pups.

"A female can have up to five litters per year and can become pregnant within hours of giving birth. This, coupled with the fact that guinea pigs can breed at just a few weeks of age, means that if females are housed with unneutered males, numbers can very quickly get out of hand as even siblings will mate with each other.

"However, guinea pigs are social animals and it is important for their welfare that they are."