As a guinea pig owner, it’s important to watch closely for any changes in your pet’s health, especially if they stop eating or their eating habits suddenly change.
Guinea pigs can become unwell quickly, so recognising the signs early is essential for keeping them happy, healthy, and comfortable.
Image: Two guinea pigs (@percivalpiggyandfriends)
The standards
As a standard for small animal owners, you should be checking your small animal every day for any potential symptoms or issues. The RSPCA recommends to:
- Check their front teeth and nails every week as these grow quickly! Only vets should correct overgrown/misaligned teeth.
- In warm weather, it's especially important to check the fur and skin around their rear end twice a day. Urine staining and droppings stuck attract flies and can lead to flystrike (which is often fatal).
- Take them for vet check-ups at least once a year.
- Get them treated for parasites such as mites and worms, as advised by your vet.
- Only use prescribed medicine - only give your guinea pigs the medicines recommended for them by a vet.
Key signs and Symptoms to look out for
According to the PDSA, these are some of the signs to look out for in unwell guinea pigs:
-
Eating less or not eating.
-
Signs of pain, such as grinding their teeth, not wanting to be touched, or squeaking loudly.
-
Significant weight loss or weight gain, especially over a short period.
-
Swellings, lumps, or bumps.
-
Fast, noisy, or heavy breathing.
-
Diarrhoea.
-
Drinking or peeing more than usual.
-
Low energy or sleeping more than usual.
You can see the full list of guinea pig health symptoms on the PDSA website.
Health problems that may occur in guinea pigs
Breathing problems
-
Breathing quicker than normal.
-
Wheezing.
-
Sneezing.
-
Discharge from the nose.
-
Heavy breathing.
-
Struggling to breathe.
As always, if you are ever unsure about your guinea pig’s health, it is best to seek veterinary advice immediately.
Guinea Pig Dental issues
Like rabbits and other small animals, guinea pigs’ teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. A high-fibre diet is essential for maintaining healthy teeth, and long stem hay is especially helpful for supporting dental function.
Guinea Pig Stomach issues
A healthy gut is extremely important for small animals, and guinea pigs are no exception. A correct diet is usually made up of 85–90% grass or hay, a small handful of leafy greens, and one egg cup of pelleted guinea pig food per day. As an example, here’s what healthy gut movement can look like: jelly beans.
Image: Example of healthy guinea pig gut health by @xlivspiggiesx
Guinea Pig Vitamin C Deficiency
Did you know that adding vitamin C to your guinea pig’s diet is essential, as guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C themselves? If you’re relying on vitamin C from their food, it’s best to feed fresh greens that are high in vitamin C to help avoid issues with their tummies, teeth, and overall vitamin C levels.
Some of the vegetables that the PDSA recommends to safely feed your guinea pig to support their vitamin C levels include:
-
Asparagus
-
Kale
-
Parsley
-
Red cabbage
-
Spinach
As always, if you notice any changes in your guinea pig’s behaviour or eating patterns, consult your vet. And as standard practice, if you want to change their diet, make sure any changes are introduced gradually over time.
Are you a guinea pig owner that stresses about arrangements when going on holiday? We spoke to Anna of Fluffies and Friends and she has the perfect set-up for boarding your guinea pigs!
