Sep 30, 2026 · 3 min · 3 segments
In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about how it's illegal to only own one guinea pig in Switzerland. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here…
If you live in Switzerland and you decide you want a pet guinea pig, congrats! You're getting two guinea pigs, because in Switzerland you're not allowed to keep a guinea pig by itself.
And while that's sort of a simplified way of saying it, the basic idea is absolutely true.
Switzerland has some pretty specific animal welfare laws, and those laws recognize that certain animals are social animals.
Swiss authorities say guinea pigs need contact with other members of their own species, and the rules require them to be kept in groups of at least two.
You can love your guinea pig, you can talk to your guinea pig, you can spend every waking hour with your guinea pig explaining, you know, whatever, the plot of the latest...
TV series you're watching, but according to Switzerland's Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, a human cannot replace another guinea pig as its social companion.
And Swiss animal welfare guidance says they only display their natural behavior when they're living in a group.
Suddenly, in addition to mourning the loss of Steve, you have to think about getting Gary another guinea pig, which eventually means Gary dies, and now that guinea pig needs a friend.
In theory, you have just entered into an endless guinea pig subscription surface.
If you live in Switzerland and you decide you want a pet guinea pig, congrats! You're getting two guinea pigs, because in Switzerland you're not allowed to keep a guinea pig by itself.
And while that's sort of a simplified way of saying it, the basic idea is absolutely true.
Switzerland has some pretty specific animal welfare laws, and those laws recognize that certain animals are social animals.
Swiss authorities say guinea pigs need contact with other members of their own species, and the rules require them to be kept in groups of at least two.
You can love your guinea pig, you can talk to your guinea pig, you can spend every waking hour with your guinea pig explaining, you know, whatever, the plot of the latest...
TV series you're watching, but according to Switzerland's Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, a human cannot replace another guinea pig as its social companion.
And Swiss animal welfare guidance says they only display their natural behavior when they're living in a group.
Suddenly, in addition to mourning the loss of Steve, you have to think about getting Gary another guinea pig, which eventually means Gary dies, and now that guinea pig needs a friend.
In theory, you have just entered into an endless guinea pig subscription surface.
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