New findings from the Burgess Excel Small Animal Census reveal that many guinea pig owners may struggle to spot when their animals need help, with nearly one in seven lacking confidence in recognising when their guinea pigs are stressed or in pain.
The findings also show one in three owners don’t regularly check their guinea pig’s weight or body condition – with 4% admitting they never check this. Additionally, the data found that almost one in five owners do not know, or are unsure, what a healthy weight or body condition looks like.
When it comes to veterinary care, the census found that 64% of owners only take their guinea pigs to the vet when they believe there is a health problem, rather than attending regular health checks or seeking advice sooner.
These findings highlight a gap in routine health monitoring when it comes to guinea pig care. Because guinea pigs are prey animals, they instinctively hide signs of illness, pain and discomfort, meaning health concerns can go unnoticed until they become more serious.
With Guinea Pig Awareness Week taking place next week, Burgess is encouraging owners to take a more proactive approach to their animals’ health by carrying out regular checks and recognising that subtle changes in behaviour, appetite, weight, activity levels or appearance can often be the earliest signs that veterinary attention may be needed and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director and in-house vet at Burgess Pet Care, said: “These findings reinforce why this year’s Guinea Pig Awareness Week is focused on encouraging proactive health checks and preventative care. Because guinea pigs naturally hide signs of illness, pain and discomfort, owners need to feel confident spotting the subtle changes that can indicate something is wrong.
“We want to help owners understand what good health looks like, encourage them to carry out regular checks at home and recognise when their guinea pigs may need veterinary attention, before minor concerns become more serious.”
During Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW), on Friday, October 30, guinea pig owners, veterinary teams, charities and rescues across the UK are being encouraged to take part in the Big Pig Health Check, a nationwide challenge aiming to deliver 500 five-minute guinea pig health checks in a single day.
John Chitty, chair of Guinea Pig Welfare UK, added: “Guinea pigs are often seen as relatively simple animals to care for, but understanding their behaviour and recognising the early signs that something may be wrong requires knowledge, awareness and regular observation.
“Regular weight checks, monitoring behaviour and seeking veterinary advice promptly when concerns arise are important steps. By making these simple checks part of everyday care, owners can play a really important role in protecting their guinea pigs’ long-term health and wellbeing.”
Guinea Pig Awareness Week encourages owners to build regular health checks into their routine, including monitoring weight and body condition, checking for changes in eating and drinking habits, and paying attention to behaviour and activity levels.
By recognising subtle signs earlier and seeking advice when needed, owners can play a vital role in keeping their guinea pig’s healthy and happy.
