Guinea Pig Health Check – Guinea Pig Haven — Expert Care Guide for New & Experienced Owners

Important: This tool is for routine screening only. If your guinea pig shows severe breathing difficulty, stops eating, becomes unresponsive, or seems to be in pain, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Daily Health Assessment

Answer the questions below based on what you observe now. The goal is to catch small changes before they become emergencies.

Question 1 of 8

Is your guinea pig eating normally today?

✅ Eating normally, same as usual ⚠️ Eating less than usual ❌ Not eating or barely eating

Question 2 of 8

How active is your guinea pig today?

✅ Active, running and playing ⚠️ Quieter than usual, but still moving ❌ Still or hiding

Question 3 of 8

How do the stools look?

✅ Normal size and shape ⚠️ Softer or smaller than usual ❌ Diarrhea, very soft, or no stools

Question 4 of 8

How is the breathing?

✅ Steady, no unusual sounds ⚠️ Occasional sneeze or slightly faster breathing ❌ Rapid breathing, noisy, open-mouth breathing

Question 5 of 8

How do the eyes look?

✅ Bright, clear, no discharge ⚠️ Slightly cloudy or a little discharge ❌ Red, cloudy, heavy discharge, or squinting

Question 6 of 8

How does the nose look?

✅ Clean, dry, no discharge ⚠️ Small amount of clear discharge ❌ Yellow or green discharge, wet or dirty nose

Question 7 of 8

How does the coat look?

✅ Smooth, shiny, clean ⚠️ Slightly rough or dull ❌ Very rough, bald spots, crusting, or shedding

Question 8 of 8

How does your guinea pig move?

✅ Walking normally, no issues ⚠️ Slower or slightly unsteady ❌ Limping, refusing to walk, or circling

Emergency Warning Signs

If your guinea pig shows any of the following, see an exotic pet veterinarian immediately.

😰

Breathing difficulty

Open-mouth breathing, rapid breathing, heaving sides, or abnormal sounds.

🤮

Not eating

No food for more than 12 to 24 hours, including hay.

😵

Extreme lethargy

Not moving, hunched in one spot, or unresponsive to gentle stimulation.

😣

Bloated or hard belly

Noticeably larger or tight abdomen, often with reduced stool output.

🦴

Hind leg paralysis or severe limping

Sudden inability to walk, dragging hind legs, or significant limping.

😰

Seizures or collapse

Muscle spasms, shaking, or loss of consciousness.

Daily Health Checklist

Use this quick routine every day to catch problems early.

🍽️

Eating

Did your guinea pig eat today?
Is the amount normal?
How much hay is left?
Is the water fresh?

💩

Stool

Are the stools normal in size?
Are they normal in shape?
Any diarrhea?
Is the rear area clean?

👀

Appearance

Are the eyes bright and clear?
Is the nose clean?
Are the ears clean?
Is the coat smooth and tidy?

🏃

Behavior

Is your guinea pig active today?
Is walking normal?
Any unusual behavior?
Is interaction with companions normal?

Common Health Issue Quick Reference

Symptom	Possible cause	Urgency	Advice
Limping or hind leg weakness	Vitamin C deficiency, injury, bumblefoot	Urgent	Increase vitamin C and see a veterinarian
Sneezing or runny nose	URI, bedding dust, allergies	Monitor	Use low-dust bedding, keep warm, see a vet if no improvement within 48 hours
Diarrhea or soft stool	Diet issues, bacterial infection, parasites	Urgent	Pause vegetables, offer hay only, see a vet if no improvement within 24 hours
Not eating	Dental problems, GI stasis, pain	Urgent	See a veterinarian immediately
Hair loss or itching	Mites, fungus, Barbering, allergies	Monitor	Isolate and inspect, take photos, see a vet within 3 days
Drooling or wet chin	Dental problems, oral issues	Monitor	Check teeth, see a vet if no improvement within 48 hours
Red eye or discharge	Injury, infection, dental pressure	Monitor	Rinse with saline, see a vet if no improvement within 2 days
Lethargy	Illness, pain, stress	Monitor	Monitor food and stool closely, see a vet if it continues

Guinea Pig Health Self-Check