Stars on the internet

ZEUS, WOODY, WINKY, Robin, Biscotti, Tolkien, Tomato, Hibiscus Blossom, Muffin, Sausalito, Sansa Flauschewusels: they are “The Piggy Potatoes” – all 22 of them. They live with Nadine and Philipp Appé – and they’re true animal celebrities online. On Instagram @thepiggypotatoes, they have 184,000 followers; on YouTube, 194,000 subscribers.

The name “The Piggy Potatoes” came about because “guinea pigs look like little round balls. That reminded us of potatoes – and the name Piggy Potatoes was born,” says Nadine, who has been living with these cuddly pets for over 20 years. “We’ve always had guinea pigs in our family,” she shares.

BABY YODA

The video showing four of the guinea pigs snacking on cucumber peels received an enormous number of likes worldwide – especially in the US, but also in India and Brazil. It has been viewed over 25 million times and was even featured on Fox News in the US.

The petfluencers were also the only Austrians included in a Panini sticker album featuring the most famous animals on the internet. Their account really blew up in 2021 when Instagram itself contacted them to feature one of their videos on its official homepage. “We received an incredible number of messages in just one day. It was so overwhelming we had to go through them slowly over the following months,” says Nadine. It’s a unique memory – and a beautiful way to have connected with so many people around the world.

They never aimed to grow their account that much. “It’s a hobby for us – something we enjoy. When you turn it into a job with financial obligations, it loses the magic,” they explain. That’s why they only accept a few select brand collaborations – choosing products they truly use themselves.

The couple has been sharing guinea pig content since 2017 – scenes of them eating, running through the garden, or sometimes wearing a tiny hat, flower crown, or two lettuce leaves as Baby Yoda ears.

“Our guinea pigs live in small family groups, each with one neutered male and several females. We have three guinea pig rooms in our house with plenty of space, constant hay and water, and fresh vegetables and fruit twice a day,” say the two Carinthians, who work in healthcare and prioritize proper animal welfare.

POPCORNING

“There’s tons of space here for them to run and popcorn.” Popcorning is when guinea pigs jump straight into the air from a standstill or while running. It’s a spontaneous, joyful movement usually accompanied by a sudden direction change and an adorable squeak.

And how did the piggies get their names? “Their personalities are all so different. It quickly becomes clear which name fits which one,” Nadine explains.

There are brave ones and shy ones – “their social behavior is very similar to humans. Many are tame, come right up to us, and some even squeak on command.” Woody, by the way, is already nine years old – “a pretty old age for a guinea pig.”

They’ve recently started breeding their favorite breed. “We brought special breeding guinea pigs from Germany and the Netherlands,” says Nadine. “They look like little teddy bears – the breed is called US Teddy – with red-white and white coats. Our babies are also very popular on social media.”

BABY TEDDIES

One thing they feel strongly about: “The word ‘breeder’ unfortunately still has a negative connotation – and rightly so in many cases. Breeding should never be about profit, but about love and passion for the animal and preserving a healthy breed,” they emphasize.

“Our females are not baby machines – they’re bred at most two to three times in their lives, with six-month rest periods. That means we only have a few litters per year. It remains an expensive, beautiful hobby that requires a lot of passion, thought, and heart. Our babies stay with us for over two months to grow and settle into life.”

Breeding isn’t easy, they add. “Things can always go wrong. That’s why it’s so important not to just want babies, but to truly understand the subject – to study, attend genetics courses, and join breeder associations. You should never produce babies on a whim. It’s a huge responsibility to bring life into the world – and we take that seriously, with love and care.”

And the future? “We’ve never planned anything for our social media accounts. If we get an idea and the moment feels right, we do it. That approach has brought us to where we are today.”

And right now? “We’ve finished our studies and are happy with our 22 guinea pigs.”
They add with a smile: “But we’re sure there will be a few more.”