Guinea Pigs Australia

Hi everyone! I'm Dr Sam, a piggy-passionate veterinarian, and today we're going to be talking about guinea pig teeth! Guinea Pig Teeth Overview What a lot of people don't realise is guinea pigs actually have 20 teeth, not just the incisors that we see at the front. They have four incisors, two at the top and two at the bottom, but they also have 16 premolars and molars that live towards the back of their mouths, along the side of their cheeks. Function of Guinea Pig Teeth The function of the incisors is usually to pick up food, grab things to bite, and sometimes even for fighting. On the other hand, the cheek teeth are used to grind the food down into small pieces for easier swallowing. Unique Dental Characteristics of Guinea Pig Teeth One of the most unique things about guinea pig teeth is that they have what we call open-rooted dentition, meaning that their teeth never stop growing. This is particularly important because if guinea pigs aren't wearing down their teeth enough, they can overgrow, leading to difficulties in eating and potentially becoming a life threatening condition if they are unable to eat at all.  Problems Caused by Overgrown Guinea Pig Teeth When guinea pig teeth overgrow, they are unable to occlude properly, resulting in abnormal wear leading to further overgrowth. In severe cases, the teeth can grow to the point where they get so long they can entrap the tongue, making it impossible for the guinea pig to move it properly. Having long teeth can also prevent them from being able to close their mouth properly which makes eating and chewing extremely difficult. Swallowing without closing your mouth is also extremely difficult for many species of animals - guinea pigs and humans alike!  Signs of Dental Disease in Guinea Pigs If your guinea pig has dental disease or tooth overgrowth, some signs to look out for include: Trouble eating or reduced appetite Weight loss Dropping food Wetness and saliva under the chin General lethargy While incisor disease can sometimes occur on its own, it is often secondary to more severe dental issues with the cheek teeth at the back. If you notice anything unusual about your guinea pig's incisors, such as an uneven growth angle or increased length, it’s best to have a vet check them out to fully assess the degree of dental disease present.  Treatment and Prognosis for Guinea Pigs Dental surgery is commonly performed on guinea pigs to treat dental disease. Early detection generally leads to a good prognosis. However, in severe cases where significant changes to the teeth and jaw have occurred, the prognosis may be more guarded. Multiple dental procedures may be necessary throughout the guinea pig's lifetime to maintain normal tooth length and function. Preventative Care Diet and genetics are two of the main contributing factors to dental disease in guinea pigs. Whilst we cannot change the genetic make up of our piggies, we can provide them with the best diet possible to help support their teeth.  The best thing you can do to keep your guinea pig's teeth healthy at home is to provide unlimited amounts of grass or hay, preferably in long strands. This gives them something to chew on and helps wear down their back teeth, keeping an even occlusal plane. Additionally, a high vitamin C diet is crucial for their dental health. Offering a good-quality pellet and vitamin C-rich vegetables will further support their well-being. We hope you learned something new about guinea pig dental care. Don’t forget to follow us on socials and join our mailing list for more fun piggy content!  

Lumps and Bumps in Guinea Pigs Hi everyone, I’m Dr Sam, a piggy passionate veterinarian, and today I’d like to chat about something I see quite regularly in clinic, lumps and bumps in guinea pigs. It can be worrying to discover a lump on your pet, and while not every lump is dangerous, it’s always important to have it checked early. What Could a Lump Mean on your Guinea Pig? Lumps in guinea pigs, just like humans and other animals, can have many causes. Some are harmless, like sebaceous cysts, while others, such as abscesses or tumours may require treatment. It’s not always easy to tell what a lump is just by looking or feeling it, which is why a vet check-up is essential. The only way to tell what type of lump is present is to extract cellular material from the lump and assess it microscopically. In some instances, your vet may recommend sending a sample away to be interpretated by a pathologist at a nearby laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.  Types of Lumps in guinea pigs There are many different types of lumps that guinea pigs can develop, hence the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis by your veterinarian if you notice any changes in your guinea pigs skin.  Abscesses - Can become quite large lumps, generally appear quite quickly and can be hot and painful. They are usually the result from an infection such as a small wound that has become infected, or something such as dental disease and infection of the tooth roots. Abscesses do require veterinary intervention, especially to assess and treat the underlying cause.  Tumours - There are many different types of tumours and growths guinea pigs can develop - they can vary in consistency and may or may not be cancerous. Lipoma's for example are a type of benign tumour made from fatty deposits under the skin - Lipoma's don't cause immediate danger to your piggies however they can grow quite large and impede their normal mobility and function. Some tumours however can be quite nasty and spread to different parts of the body including other organs.  Sebaceous Cysts - Are a benign lump arising from hair follicles that have become clogged with dead skin cells and sebum (an oily secretion). These usually don't cause harm to your guinea pigs, however may become large, infected or ulcerated. In some cases we recommend conservative treatment whilst others may require surgical removal.  What to Do If You Find a Lump If you notice anything unusual, book a visit to your local cavy savvy vet. We'll usually perform a physical exam and might recommend a fine needle aspirate, biopsy, or drainage, depending on what we suspect the lump to be. Keep in mind that early detection leads to better outcomes. We highly recommend performing regular health checks on your piggies to check for any early changes - check out our YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE ON HOW TO PERFORM A HEALTH CHECK AT HOME.  Guinea pigs that are part of the family, living indoors, getting regular health checks and getting plenty of interaction from the family, tend to have their health concerns picked up and addressed more quickly, often resulting in better outcomes.  Prevention Tips While not all lumps can be prevented, maintaining your guinea pig’s health goes a long way. Make sure their living environment is clean and safe. Avoid sharp or rough accessories in their cage, especially if you’re using a DIY guinea pig cage solution. This can prevent injuries and infection under the skin.  Diet also plays a role, especially when it comes to preventing dental disease and tooth root abscessation. Knowing what guinea pigs eat is key to supporting a strong immune system and high levels of Vitamin C. Ensure your guinea pigs always have access to a good quality hay such as timothy, meadow, pasture or oaten hay, as well as supplementation with a good quality pellet such as Burgess Excel and fresh vegetables daily.  When to Be Concerned We recommend all new lumps and bumps be assessed by a veterinarian, as it is impossible to tell if a lump is malignant or benign just from appearance and touch, without assessing it's cellular make-up. If a lump grows rapidly, is firm and fixed, or causes your guinea pig discomfort, don’t delay seeking veterinary care. Lumps near the jaw or on the feet can become problematic quickly and may impact eating or movement. Final Thoughts from Dr Sam While a lump isn’t always a cause for panic, it should never be ignored. Some lumps can be managed conservatively, be non-painful and not cause any further issues, whilst others can be malignant, painful, and potentially life threatening. Often the only way to cure tumours is surgical removal. Some lumps that were previously benign and not causing any issues can change over time and become larger, ulcerated or infected, which may be reason for a re-check. I recommend getting any new or changing lumps checked by your cavy savvy vet to ensure your piggy is getting the best treatment. 

Hi everyone, I’m Dr Sam, a piggy passionate veterinarian, and today I want to walk you through the basics of caring for baby and young guinea pigs. These tiny, squeaky bundles of fluff are not only adorable but also surprisingly delicate. Proper care in the early weeks is essential to help them grow into healthy, happy adults. The First Few Days: What to Expect Baby guinea pigs, known as pups, are born fully furred, with their eyes open and ready to move. They’ll start nibbling on solid food very quickly, often within a few hours of birth, but they’ll also nurse from their mother for around three weeks. During this time, it’s important to provide high-quality hay which supports their digestive development. This is one of the few occasions where we recommend a lucerne or alfalfa based hay, which is slightly higher in calcium and great for bone development and milk production for mum.  Housing Young Guinea Pigs  In comparison to other rodents, rabbits and small mammals,  baby guinea pigs are born quite large and developed, however we do still need to ensure that they are kept in a safe environment they are unable to injure themselves or escape from. Baby guinea pigs are still quite small, and may require adjustments to your adult guinea pig cage or setup. If you keep your guinea pigs in an Ozzy Cage or C&C type set up we recommend using BAR GRIDS or BABY GRIDS as they provide smaller holes your young piggies are unable to escape from. You can also double up and cross over normal OZZY GRIDS to create smaller holes.  Baby and young guinea pigs are quite small and fragile, so we need to ensure they are kept in a safe and secure environment away from any predators, particularly household pets such as cats and dogs, as well as any adult guinea pigs who may be acting more territorial. We also need to ensure it is kept clean and hygienic as young guinea pigs are still developing their immune system and can be more susceptible to illness and infection.    Handling and Socialising Young Guinea Pigs Gentle daily handling from a young age can help your guinea pigs become friendly and well-socialised - however we do have to be mindful of their size, they’re fragile and quick to wriggle! Adult supervision is always recommend when children are handling guinea pigs, especially tiny, wriggly and agile young guinea pigs. It is important to always support their full body when picking them up, and to handle them close to the ground incase they were to fall. It may help to hold them in a secure bed or wrap to prevent them wriggling out of yours or your little ones hands.  Using toys for guinea pigs is a great way to encourage natural behaviours and stimulate mental development. If in doubt do some DIY guinea pig toys like cardboard tunnels and hay-stuffed paper rolls can help young pigs learn to explore and play. Check out the GPA Instagram or Tiktok page for some great ideas! There are also many toys available on the market to provide more stimulation and enrichment for your piggies - however NOT ALL TOYS ARE SAFE! Check out those on our website for tried and tested guinea pig safe toys and accessories.  Nutrition and Weaning In the first few weeks, baby guinea pigs need a diet rich in nutrients to support their rapid growth. In addition to mum’s milk, they should have unlimited access to high-quality hay, fresh leafy greens, and a small portion of guinea pig pellets. As mentioned above, young guinea pigs and nursing mothers are one of the few times we recommend feeding a mixture of pasture and lucerne/alfalfa based hay due to the higher calcium content being beneficial for bone development and milk production. When purchasing a HIGH QUALITY pellet, you may find they have age specific recommendations such as Oxbow Young Guinea Pig Food which includes a slight difference of ingredients and composition to support the needs of growing piggies compared to adults.  Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Small water bottles are best for hygiene and monitoring intake, especially for young pigs, as well as reducing the risk of drowning or hypothermia if they were to get wet. You can offer bowls of water but ensure they are shallow enough to prevent drowning.  Male guinea pigs need to be weaned and separated from their mother and sisters at 3 weeks of age to prevent further reproduction.  When to See the Vet Even with the best care, young guinea pigs are vulnerable to illness, and can go downhill very quickly. Watch closely for any signs of illness like weight loss, diarrhoea, lethargy, or changes in eating habits. Early vet intervention can make all the difference.  Final Thoughts from Dr Sam Visiting a local rescue near you is the best place to find guinea pigs to add to your home - with young or baby guinea pigs regularly available! However as cute as they are, please don't look past some of our adult piggies that are longing for their fur-ever home - they make just as great pets and you can often tell their personality or temperament prior to adoption.  See our list of Australian Guinea Pig Rescues Here Raising baby guinea pigs is a joyful and rewarding experience, but it comes with responsibility. With the right nutrition, housing, and care, you’ll give your piggies the best start in life. If you have any concerns or want advice tailored to your setup please reach out to our expert team at Guinea Pigs Australia. Unsure on what you need? We offer a wide range of safe bedding, food, and accessories perfect for young guinea pigs. Simply browse our website and send us an email if you aren’t sure on what you need. We are here to help!