Can I keep a guinea pig alone in Switzerland?
No — social animals may not be kept alone. Under the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV), social species must be kept at least in pairs. Specifically: guinea pigs may not be kept singly (at least two; enclosure for 2 ≥0.5 m²), and budgerigars may not be kept singly either. Generally, all pets must be kept in a species-appropriate way (Art. 4 TSchG / Art. 6): enough space, occupation, places to retreat. For the classic goldfish bowl: aquariums may not be viewable from all sides and must meet a minimum volume — a round bowl usually doesn't comply. Supervised by the BLV and cantonal veterinary offices. In short: yes to keeping pets, but species-appropriately, and social animals not alone.
📋 The rules
- Social species not alone (TSchV)
- Guinea pigs: at least two (enclosure ≥0.5 m²)
- Budgerigars: not kept singly
- All pets: species-appropriate keeping
- Goldfish bowl: not viewable from all sides, minimum volume
🔓 Exceptions
- Minimum enclosure sizes per species in Annex 2 TSchV
- Temporary solo keeping (e.g. illness) may be necessary
- Some species need additional expertise/a permit
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Keeping a social animal alone or otherwise contrary to animal welfare breaches the law: other husbandry breaches (Art. 28 TSchG) can be fined up to CHF 20,000; actual cruelty (Art. 26) carries imprisonment up to 3 years or a fine. Veterinary offices can impose conditions or remove animals. Beware a myth: "a single guinea pig or budgerigar is fine" is false — social animals must be kept at least in pairs. Tip: research the minimum requirements for your species before getting an animal, and always keep social animals at least in pairs.
📎 Official sources
- BLV · guinea pigs and the law →
- BLV · budgerigars and the law →
- Fedlex · Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I keep a guinea pig alone?
No. Guinea pigs are social animals and may not be kept singly under the Animal Welfare Ordinance. You must keep at least two, with an enclosure of at least half a square metre for two animals, plus additional space for each further animal. They need company of their own kind.
Does this apply to budgerigars too?
Yes. Budgerigars are also social animals and may not be kept singly. They need at least one fellow bird and a sufficiently large aviary with occupation. The minimum dimensions for keeping them are set in the annex to the Animal Welfare Ordinance, depending on the number of birds.
Is a goldfish bowl allowed?
The classic round goldfish bowl is generally not permitted. Aquariums may not be viewable from all sides, so the fish can retreat, and a minimum volume applies depending on fish size. A small round bowl usually doesn't meet these requirements for keeping fish appropriately.
What does species-appropriate keeping mean?
Species-appropriate keeping means the animal has enough space, occupation, places to retreat and social contact, according to its needs. The Animal Welfare Ordinance sets minimum dimensions and conditions for many species. Research this before getting an animal, so you can meet the requirements for your species.
What's the penalty for improper keeping?
Other husbandry breaches can be fined up to CHF 20,000, and actual cruelty carries imprisonment up to three years or a fine. The cantonal veterinary offices can impose conditions or remove animals. So keep your animals species-appropriately and social species at least in pairs to comply.
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