The Teddy is a short-haired American breed prized for its dense, springy, resilient coat that stands away from the body like a plush toy. It is a hardy, low-maintenance show and pet breed and one of the easiest of the textured cavies to keep.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Single guinea pig floor space
≈ 7.5 sq ft (1080 sq in)
Continuous ground-level floor — guinea pigs do not use vertical levels and should not be kept in tall narrow cages. They are herd animals: keeping just one is discouraged in many regions. Teddy is short-coated with dense plush fur — standard guinea-pig welfare floor.
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Recommended
Pair of guinea pigs
≈ 10.5 sq ft (1500 sq in)
C&C (cubes-and-coroplast) grids make it easy to reach this. Add hides at each end, a hay rack, and separate eating/toilet zones to reduce squabbling.
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Ideal
Herd with extra roaming
13+ sq ft plus daily floor time
Generous pen for a small herd, supplemented with supervised floor time on a washable surface. More space dramatically reduces stress and boredom-related behaviours.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
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Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
House in pairs or small same-sex groups (or a neutered boar with sows). Provide a minimum of 0.7 m² (about 7.5 sq ft) floor space for a pair, more is always better; C&C (cube-and-coroplast) grids or a large solid-bottom cage work well — never a wire floor. Line with paper-based or kiln-dried aspen bedding or fleece over absorbent liners. Keep indoors at a stable 18-24°C, out of drafts and direct sun. Guinea pigs do not climb or jump, so a single open level with hides, a hay rack, and daily floor-time space is ideal.
Diet
Unlimited grass hay (timothy/orchard/meadow) should make up the bulk of the diet to wear down continuously-growing teeth and support gut motility. Add a measured daily portion of plain, Vitamin-C-fortified guinea-pig pellets (avoid muesli mixes) and roughly one cup of fresh leafy greens (bell pepper, romaine, coriander, parsley). Guinea pigs cannot synthesize Vitamin C and require ~10-30 mg daily — supplement with fresh produce or a dedicated supplement, not vitamin drops in water. Provide fresh water in a bottle or heavy bowl at all times.
Behavior & temperament
Kept as a show and companion breed. Teddies are typically docile, curious, and people-oriented, often described as among the calmer textured breeds, which makes them excellent first cavies and good with gentle, supervised children. They are highly social herd animals that 'popcorn' when happy, wheek for food, and become depressed if housed alone. There are two coat types — a softer plush coat and a harsher, more wiry 'Harsh Teddy' coat.
Health
Generally robust with no breed-specific deformities. As with all cavies, watch for dental malocclusion, respiratory infection, bumblefoot (pododermatitis), bladder stones/'sludge', ovarian cysts in older sows, and Vitamin-C deficiency (scurvy). The dense coat can trap debris and the natural skin oils, so monitor for greasy buildup and skin parasites (mites/lice).
Tips, DIY & hacks
The Teddy coat needs little grooming — a weekly brush with a soft brush keeps it fluffy; over-bathing strips protective oils and dries the skin, so bathe only when genuinely soiled. The harsh coat type benefits from slightly more frequent brushing. Check and trim nails every few weeks and inspect feet for bumblefoot, especially on hard or dirty surfaces. Because the upright coat hides body condition, weigh weekly on a kitchen scale to catch illness early — sudden weight loss is often the first sign of dental or gut trouble.