Although most Americans consider guinea pigs and hamsters as companion animals, they are two of the most extensively used animals in research and testing involving pain and distress. Among the most common AWA animals in testing, over 182,400 guinea pigs and nearly 81,500 hamsters were used by labs in 2023, according to AAVS analysis of data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How Guinea Pigs & Hamsters Are Used

Guinea pigs continue to be used in significant numbers for toxicity, allergy, and safety testing. Many of these tests are routinely required by governments worldwide, although alternative approaches have been validated. Guinea pigs are also used as models of infectious disease, including Ebola, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, and in vaccine development, as well as to study respiratory diseases, immune systems, and nutrition.

Over 53% of hamsters in labs were used in painful experiments in 2023. They are used as models for infectious disease, including SARS-CoV-2, respiratory disease and drug and vaccine delivery research, and various cancers. Genetically altered hamsters are used to study immunotherapy, heart disease, epilepsy, and muscular dystrophy.