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 What a lot of people don't realise is guinea pigs actually have 20 teeth, not just the four 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, generally along the side of their cheek. 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 life-threatening conditions. Problems Caused by Overgrown Guinea Pig Teeth When guinea pig teeth overgrow, they are unable to occlude properly, leading to further overgrowth. In severe cases, the teeth can grow to the point where they trap the tongue, making it impossible for the guinea pig to move it properly. This makes eating and chewing extremely difficult. You may also notice that if the back teeth are overgrown, the guinea pig may be unable to close its mouth properly. Similar to humans, it becomes very hard to chew, swallow, and eat without closing the mouth and using the tongue. 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 Weight loss Dropping food General lethargy While incisor disease can sometimes occur on its own, it is often secondary to more severe dental issues with the cheek teeth. If you notice anything unusual about your guinea pig's incisors, such as an uneven growth angle, it’s best to have a vet check them out to ensure no underlying issues. 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 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. 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!  

Hi everyone, I’m Dr Sam, a piggy passionate veterinarian, and one of the questions I often get asked is: “Should I bath my guinea pig?” It’s a great question, and the answer might surprise you. While guinea pigs are naturally quite clean animals who groom themselves regularly, there are some occasions when a bath might be necessary. Let’s talk about when and how to bath your guinea pig safely. Do Guinea Pigs Really Need Baths? In most cases, no, guinea pigs do not require regular bathing. In fact, bathing too often can strip their skin of natural oils and lead to dryness or irritation. However, in certain situations—such as a skin condition, dirty bottom, or when they’ve soiled their guinea pig bed, a gentle bath might be recommended. Older boars or those with long hair can also become a little messier around their rear end and may need the occasional hygiene bath. Preparing for the Bath If you do need to give your guinea pig a bath, preparation is key. Make sure you’re bathing them in a warm, draft-free room. Place a soft towel in the bottom of the sink or a shallow tub to stop them slipping. Have another dry towel ready for wrapping them up afterward. You should always use a small animal shampoo recommended by your vet—never human or dog products. Make sure their guinea pig enclosure is thoroughly cleaned and dry before placing them back in, to avoid chills or skin issues after the bath. How to Bathe Your Guinea Pig Safely Start by gently wetting their back end and working up slowly, avoiding the head and ears. Apply a small amount of shampoo and massage it through the fur. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water to avoid any residue that could irritate the skin. Dry your guinea pig carefully by patting them down with a towel. You can use a hairdryer on a very low, warm (not hot) setting, but always supervise closely and keep the dryer moving to avoid overheating. Make sure your guinea pig returns to a cosy guinea pig bed inside their cage, away from any cold draughts. A bath can be stressful, so it's important they can rest and warm up comfortably afterward. When to Seek Veterinary Advice If your guinea pig is getting very dirty frequently, has a persistent odour, skin changes, or seems uncomfortable, it’s worth booking a vet check. Bathing won’t solve underlying medical issues and, in some cases, could make things worse if not done properly. Remember that a well-kept cage setup helps reduce the need for bathing in the first place. Enrichment also plays a role; toys for guinea pigs can keep them stimulated and active, which aids grooming behaviour. Final Thoughts from Dr Sam Bathing guinea pigs is something that should only be done when absolutely necessary. With the right approach and a bit of preparation, it can be safe and effective. Always observe how your guinea pig reacts and if in doubt, consult your vet. A healthy diet is also crucial. Knowing what guinea pigs eat, including high-fibre hay like Oxbow, helps prevent digestive and skin problems, which in turn reduces the need for grooming interventions. For more advice on caring for your guinea pig, check out our care guide and our blogs – and if in doubt always have a chat to your vet. Happy piggy parenting!    

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.