Guinea Pigs Australia

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!

Hi everyone, I’m Dr Sam, a small animal veterinarian, and today I’d like to talk about a condition that’s quite common in older male guinea pigs, but not often well understood - impaction. If you’ve noticed your guinea pig straining to pass droppings or appearing uncomfortable and smelly around the back end, this blog is for you. What Is Impaction? Impaction occurs when a guinea pig is unable to properly expel faeces from their rectum, causing a build-up in the perineal sac. This is a natural pouch located just inside the anus, and in older male guinea pigs especially, it can become stretched and weakened over time. As a result, faeces and soft droppings can accumulate, leading to discomfort, odour, and potential infection. You may notice your guinea pig is still able to expel normal hard faeces despite the softer faeces and cecotropes becoming impacted.  Who Is Most at Risk? While impaction can technically occur in any guinea pig, it is most commonly seen in older, unneutered males. As guinea pigs age, the muscles responsible for clearing the perineal sac weaken. Impaction is more commonly seen in entire boars as the weight of their large testicles and surrounding fat pads will over time contribute to the stretching and weakening of the muscles and ligaments used to expel faeces. Boars who are neutered in their younger years do not suffer from the same pathology.   Poor diet, obesity, geriatric age and limited mobility can also increase the risk - especially if they are not able to reach their perineal sac and maintain their own hygiene as easily.  Signs to Watch For The most obvious sign of impaction is a noticeable swelling or lump near your guinea pig’s bottom. You may also observe straining, dragging of the bottom, reduced appetite, or soft droppings smeared around the hindquarters. Some guinea pigs may become less active or appear grumpy due to discomfort. If you notice a foul smell or discharge, this could indicate infection, which requires immediate veterinary attention. How to Manage and Treat Impaction If your guinea pig is showing signs of impaction, I strongly recommend a veterinary examination to rule out other issues such as infection and other underlying issues, as well as to ensure your piggy is receiving the correct treatment. In many cases, mild impaction can be managed at home with regular cleaning of the perineal sac. This involves manual evacuation and gentle removal of the built-up faecal matter. This can be uncomfortable for your guinea pig if caution is not taken, so it is important to use a lubricant such as baby oil to help with the evacuation, along with some cotton tips and gentle pressure. It is normal to have an unpleasant odour, however please consult your veterinarian if the smell is strong or you suspect there may be an infection present. I also recommend to wear gloves during the cleaning process.  Some guinea pigs may also benefit from weight management, increased exercise, or dietary adjustments. Ensuring your pet lives in a clean, spacious indoor cage for guinea pigs with plenty of opportunity to move around and forage can go a long way in supporting their gut health. Providing soft, absorbent guinea pigs beds also helps prevent faecal matter from sticking and creating further hygiene problems. Final Thoughts from Dr Sam Impaction can be quite uncomfortable for your piggy, but it is a manageable condition. Unfortunately once the area stretches it is very difficult to reverse those changes and often becomes a life long condition, however early detection and early intervention is key to prevent the condition from worsening.   Like many guinea pig health issues, prevention is often easier than treatment. The most effective way of preventing impaction in guinea pigs is desexing at a younger age, and I encourage you to have this conversation with your cavy savvy vet. Keeping your guinea pigs healthy with a good diet high in fibre, and ability to exercise and move around will also help to keep their digestive health in check.  If you're ever unsure about your guinea pig’s behaviour or bowel habits, please don’t hesitate to contact your cavy savvy veterinarian. Catching these issues early really does make a world of difference. 

Hi everyone, I’m Dr Sam, a small animal veterinarian, and today I’d like to talk about how to safely transition your guinea pigs to new foods. This is something I often see guinea pig owners struggle with in practice. Whether you're switching to a different type of hay, introducing a new vegetable, or upgrading your pellets, a slow and careful approach is essential to keep your guinea pig happy and healthy. Understanding What Guinea Pigs Eat A healthy guinea pig diet is based predominantly on hay. In fact, hay should make up around 80% of their daily intake. It’s vital for keeping their digestive systems functioning properly and also helps wear down their ever-growing teeth. In my experience, the most common types of hay available in Australia include timothy, oaten and pasture hay.  Alongside hay, your guinea pig should also be eating a small amount of fresh vegetables daily (about 1 cup per adult guinea pig), and a specially formulated pellet designed for guinea pigs —particularly one that contains added vitamin C. Read more about choosing the best guinea pig pellet here. Why and When to Transition Food There are several reasons why you might need to change your guinea pigs food. Sometimes it’s as simple as your usual product being out of stock or discontinued. Other times, you may want to switch to a higher quality brand or a more nutritious alternative. You might also notice your guinea pig becoming fussy or uninterested in their current diet, or perhaps a health issue requires a dietary adjustment. Whatever the reason, the most important rule to follow is to make any transition gradually. Sudden changes can easily upset their gut and cause more harm than good. Making the Transition Safely When introducing a new type of hay, start by mixing it with the old hay. At first, use just a small amount of the new variety. Over a week or more, increase the proportion of the new hay while decreasing the old. This allows your guinea pigs time to adjust to the change in texture, taste, and smell. Keep the hay fresh and clean, and try offering it in different parts of their enclosure to encourage natural foraging behaviour. When changing pellets from one brand to another, a similar technique is used. Different brands may have a transition guide on the back of their packaging which is handy to follow, such as Burgess Excel. We recommend slowly transitioning pellets over a period of 14 to 28 days, starting with about 75% of old pellets mixed with 25% of the new pellets. Over the next week we recommend gradually reducing the ratio to 50% of each pellet, and week 3 adjusting the ratio again to 75% of the new pellet, 25% of the old pellet.  When adding new vegetables only introduce one new food at a time. For example, if you're adding capsicum to their diet, offer just a small piece at first and monitor them over the next 24 hours. You’ll want to look out for signs like soft stools, bloating, or any change in behaviour.  Also, make sure your guinea pigs have access to fresh water at all times.    Avoiding Common Issues One of the biggest mistakes I see as a vet is owners switching guinea pigs food too often and too quickly. This often leads to fussy piggies who are reluctant to eat the newly offered food, which is both frustrating as an owner and not ideal for guinea pig health if they are missing vital parts of their diet. Swapping food too quickly or too often can also lead to gut stasis, which is a serious condition that causes their digestive system to slow down or stop altogether as it has not had time to adjust to the changes in diet - this can become life threatening.  Monitoring Guinea Pig Health A great way to check how your guinea pig is coping with a food change is to watch their droppings. Healthy guinea pigs produce firm, oval-shaped poos. If you start seeing smaller, misshapen, or fewer droppings, it may mean their digestive system is struggling. Behaviour is also a key indicator—if your guinea pig is quieter than usual, less active, or not showing interest in food, it could be a sign something’s wrong. Final Thoughts from Dr Sam As a vet, I truly believe that taking your time when changing your guinea pig’s diet is one of the kindest things you can do for them. Moving slowly, watching closely, and keeping their environment consistent will help ensure a smooth transition. Whether it’s new vegetables, pellets, or hay, your efforts will be rewarded with a happy, healthy guinea pig. If you're unsure at any point, reach out to your local vet for advice. It's always better to ask than to guess. And remember, keeping your guinea pigs well-fed, hydrated, and enriched will go a long way toward a long and joyful life together.