* No Central Registry: There is no national database or organization that tracks guinea pig ownership.
* Varying Ownership: The number of guinea pigs changes constantly due to births, deaths, adoption, and purchases.
* Variety of Sources: Guinea pigs are acquired through pet stores, breeders, shelters, and rescues, making it difficult to track.
However, we can make some educated guesses:
* Popularity: Guinea pigs are very popular pets, and their numbers are estimated to be in the millions.
* Similar Animals: The number of guinea pigs might be comparable to other small pets like rabbits or hamsters.
While we can't give you a precise number, we can say that there are likely millions of guinea pigs in the US.