Hartley Guinea Pigs Details
The Hartley Guinea Pig is an outbred albino strain widely utilized in biomedical research due to its adaptability and well-documented physiology. Known for its robust body size, calm disposition, and ease of handling, this strain is ideal for a broad range of experimental applications. Common research areas include immunology, toxicology, pharmacology, and surgical modeling, where its predictable responses and anatomical features provide reliable results.
Hartley guinea pigs exhibit consistent reproductive performance, making them suitable for breeding programs and long-term studies. Their physiological characteristics closely resemble human responses in certain systems, supporting investigations in cardiovascular and respiratory function, auditory research, and infectious disease models. Additionally, they are frequently employed in vaccine development, hypersensitivity testing, and nutritional studies.
To Charles River in 1968 from Medical Research Council, Millhill, England. Caesarian-derived in 1969.

UNIT: C82
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Hartley Guinea Pigs Details
The Hartley Guinea Pig is an outbred albino strain widely utilized in biomedical research due to its adaptability and well-documented physiology. Known for its robust body size, calm disposition, and ease of handling, this strain is ideal for a broad range of experimental applications. Common research areas include immunology, toxicology, pharmacology, and surgical modeling, where its predictable responses and anatomical features provide reliable results.
Hartley guinea pigs exhibit consistent reproductive performance, making them suitable for breeding programs and long-term studies. Their physiological characteristics closely resemble human responses in certain systems, supporting investigations in cardiovascular and respiratory function, auditory research, and infectious disease models. Additionally, they are frequently employed in vaccine development, hypersensitivity testing, and nutritional studies.
To Charles River in 1968 from Medical Research Council, Millhill, England. Caesarian-derived in 1969.

Growth chart data should be used as a guideline only.
The shaded areas on each chart are the mean weight plus or minus one standard deviation at a given age averaged across all production facilities. This represents approximately 67% of the population, with the remaining 33% falling outside of this weight range.
UNIT: A3
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UNIT: B31
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➤ DOWNLOAD OUR CATALOG for instant access to Standard List Pricing
➤ TALK TO US to discuss organization or volume-based discounts
Already have an eCommerce portal account?* Login to order research models, obtain quotes, view organization-specific pricing, and see inventory. Processing time required to validate new eCommerce access requests.
*eCommerce is available in US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland
Try out this model with our animal evaluation program (North America)
Try out this model with our animal evaluation program (Europe)
Hartley Guinea Pigs Details
The Hartley Guinea Pig is an outbred albino strain widely utilized in biomedical research due to its adaptability and well-documented physiology. Known for its robust body size, calm disposition, and ease of handling, this strain is ideal for a broad range of experimental applications. Common research areas include immunology, toxicology, pharmacology, and surgical modeling, where its predictable responses and anatomical features provide reliable results.
Hartley guinea pigs exhibit consistent reproductive performance, making them suitable for breeding programs and long-term studies. Their physiological characteristics closely resemble human responses in certain systems, supporting investigations in cardiovascular and respiratory function, auditory research, and infectious disease models. Additionally, they are frequently employed in vaccine development, hypersensitivity testing, and nutritional studies.
To Charles River in 1968 from Medical Research Council, Millhill, England. Caesarian-derived in 1969.
Growth chart not available
Please email us at [email protected] to request a health report for this model.
For additional information, including pricing details, please visit the Hartley guinea pig page on the Vital River Laboratories website.
Try out this model with our animal evaluation program (North America)
Try out this model with our animal evaluation program (Europe)
Care and Husbandry
| Housing | Use solid-floor cages (minimum 2 ft² or 60 cm per animal) with 2–3″ soft bedding such as fleece or recycled paper; avoid wire flooring and cedar shavings. |
| Temperature | Maintain 60–85°F (18–30°C); keep guinea pigs out of direct sun and away from heat vents or cold drafts. |
| Diet | Provide 24/7 timothy hay, fortified pellets (⅛ cup/day), fresh water, and Vitamin C supplementation (10 mg/kg/day) through quality produce or fortified chow. |
| Enrichment | Include chew toys, tunnels, hideouts, and nesting materials to promote natural behaviors and reduce stress. |
| Social Needs | Guinea pigs are social and should be housed in same-sex pairs or compatible pairs; ensure adequate space throughout. |
| Behavior | Guinea pigs can be easily startled; it is recommended to warn them when you enter the room by knocking for example. |
| Handling | Guinea pigs should be handled gently, by carrying them with both hands cupped around and under their body. Pregnant dams should be carried with at least one hand supporting their belly, as their weight is heavy. |
- Informational Resources
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Posters
- Visualizing QT Prolongation in the Anesthetized Guinea Pig
- Clinical Pathology and Histopathology Parameters in Juvenile and Adult Guinea Pigs: A Comparative Study
- Power Spectral Density Analysis of Heart Beat Intervals in the Guinea Pig
- An Evaluation of the Guinea Pig for Use on Cardiovascular Safety Studies
- Development of an Enrichment Device in a Guinea Pig Production Room
- Contractility Assessment in Rats and Guinea Pigs: Comparison From Isolated Heart to Whole Animal
- Histopathological Evaluation and Cytocochleogram from a Guinea Pig Model of Middle Ear Infusion and Hair Cell Injury After a 9-week Observation Period
- Development of a New Adenovirus Antigen for Serological Detection of Adenovirus Infections in Guinea Pig Colonies
- Comparison of Two Hydration Gel Products for Use in Shipping of Guinea Pigs
- Visualizing QT Prolongation in the Anesthetized Guinea Pig
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Scientific Publications for Hartley Guinea Pigs
Wallace MN, et al. Breathing Rate as a Marker for Noise-Induced Stress in Guinea Pigs. Brain Sci. 2025 Oct 27;15(11):1152. doi: 10.3390/brainsci15111152. PMID: 41300160; PMCID: PMC12649972.
Wahle BS, et al. Safety Toxicology Study of Reassortant Mopeia-Lassa Vaccine in Guinea Pigs. Future Pharmacol. 2025 Jun;5(2):26. doi: 10.3390/futurepharmacol5020026. PMID: 40667416; PMCID: PMC12263097.
Spittler AP, et al. Short-term manual acupuncture decreased markers of systemic inflammation and altered articular cartilage transcripts in the Dunkin-Hartley model of osteoarthritis. Am J Vet Res. 2025 Feb 7;86(4):ajvr.24.11.0341. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.24.11.0341. PMID: 39919377.
Parola LR, et al. Hydrogel treatment for idiopathic osteoarthritis in a Dunkin Hartley Guinea pig model. PLoS One. 2022 Nov 30;17(11):e0278338. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278338. PMID: 36449506; PMCID: PMC9710799.
Spittler AP, et al. Age- and sex-associated differences in hematology and biochemistry parameters of Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). PLoS One. 2021 Jul 9;16(7):e0253794. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253794. PMID: 34242236; PMCID: PMC8270176.
Lan S, et al. Virulent infection of outbred Hartley guinea pigs with recombinant Pichinde virus as a surrogate small animal model for human Lassa fever. Virulence. 2020 Dec;11(1):1131-1141. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1809328. PMID: 32799623; PMCID: PMC7549944.
Shieh WJ, et al. Virus Infection of Outbred Hartley Guinea Pigs as a Surrogate Animal Model for Human Lassa Fever: Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Analyses. Pathogens. 2020 Jul 16;9(7):579. doi: 10.3390/pathogens9070579. PMID: 32708789; PMCID: PMC7400641.
Kirchhoff JE, et al. The KCa2 Channel Inhibitor AP14145, But Not Dofetilide or Ondansetron, Provides Functional Atrial Selectivity in Guinea Pig Hearts. Front Pharmacol. 2019 Jun 19;10:668. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00668. PMID: 31275147; PMCID: PMC6593233.
Brittain MK, et al. Efficacy of Recommended Prehospital Human Equivalent Doses of Atropine and Pralidoxime Against the Toxic Effects of Carbamate Poisoning in the Hartley Guinea Pig. Int J Toxicol. 2016 May;35(3):344-57. doi: 10.1177/1091581816638086. PMID: 27102179; PMCID: PMC4864082.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hartley Guinea Pigs
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What is the Hartley guinea pig and why is it commonly used in research?
The Hartley guinea pig is an outbred strain widely used in biomedical research due to its predictable physiology and suitability for studies in immunology, toxicology, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.
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What are the typical applications of Hartley guinea pigs in scientific studies?
Hartley guinea pigs are frequently used in models for osteoarthritis, infectious disease, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular research, and vaccine development, making them a versatile choice for preclinical studies.
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Are Hartley guinea pigs suitable for long-term studies?
Yes, Hartley guinea pigs are commonly used in chronic studies, including osteoarthritis and cardiovascular research, due to their predictable aging patterns and stable physiology.
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What is the average lifespan and weight of a Hartley guinea pig?
Hartley guinea pigs typically live 4 – 6 years and weigh between 700 – 1200 grams, depending on age and sex, making them manageable for both short- and long-term research protocols.
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Are there any known health concerns with the Hartley Guinea Pig?
Deafness is a known phenotype in the Hartley guinea pig population. Any researchers working on auditory system studies, or any project in which normal hearing is essential to experimental design or outcome interpretation, should be aware of the potential for this phenotype. Researchers may request that a deafness test be performed at the time of order placement. This service is available for a minimal additional charge and can help ensure animals meet experiment-specific hearing requirements.