Guinea Pig Not Eating: Why It's Urgent

Call your vet now if

• Your guinea pig hasn't eaten, or has eaten very little, for a few hours
• Their droppings are fewer, smaller, misshapen, or have stopped
• They are sitting hunched and fluffed up, or not moving around
• They are drooling, have a wet chin or are dropping food
• They have discharge from the eyes or nose, are sneezing, or breathing noisily or with effort
• They are losing weight
• They have diarrhoea or a dirty bottom
• They seem weak, cold, or unusually quiet
• They are making unusual noises, such as squeaking when touched, or grinding their teeth

Don't wait to see if they improve overnight. Guinea pigs often hide illness until they are quite poorly, so by the time you notice they've stopped eating, they may need help quickly.

Why not eating is so serious for guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are herbivores with a digestive system designed for a steady intake of high-fibre food, mostly grass and hay. When they stop eating, their gut can slow down, a problem vets refer to as gut stasis. This can lead to painful gas build-up, changes in their gut bacteria and further loss of appetite, which can spiral quickly.

As small prey animals, guinea pigs instinctively mask signs of illness. A drop in appetite is often one of the first visible signs that something is wrong, which is why it is worth taking seriously even if your guinea pig otherwise seems fine.

Common causes of appetite loss

Not eating is a sign that something else is going on. Common causes your vet will consider include:

• Dental problems. Guinea pigs' teeth grow continuously. Overgrown teeth, sharp points or problems with the back teeth can make eating painful, and are a common cause of drooling and dropping food. You usually can't see the back teeth at home.
• Vitamin C deficiency. Like humans, guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C and need it every day from their diet. A lack of it can cause weakness, sore joints, poor appetite, gum problems and a rough coat.
• Respiratory infections. These are fairly common in guinea pigs and can cause sneezing, discharge, noisy breathing and loss of appetite. They can become serious, so prompt treatment matters.
• Gut problems, such as stasis, bloating or diarrhoea.
• Pain, for example from bladder stones, injuries or other illness.
• Stress, such as moving home, a new cage, the loss of a companion or nearby predators.
• Heat. Guinea pigs are vulnerable to heatstroke in warm weather.

Signs and possible causes

What you notice	Possible causes to discuss with your vet
Trying to eat but dropping food, drooling	Dental problems
Sneezing, crusty eyes, noisy breathing	Respiratory infection
Reluctant to move, sore when handled, rough coat	Vitamin C deficiency, pain
Few or no droppings, hunched posture	Gut stasis or blockage
Squeaking when weeing, blood in urine	Bladder problems
Stopped eating after a change at home	Stress, possibly with another illness

These are possibilities only. Only your vet can examine your guinea pig and find the cause.

What to do while you arrange to see a vet

These steps help keep your guinea pig comfortable but don't replace veterinary treatment.

1. Ring a vet straight away. If you can, choose one with experience of guinea pigs, but don't delay urgent care while searching. Any vet can give initial advice.
2. Keep them warm. A quiet, draught-free spot at a comfortable room temperature. Avoid direct heat sources they can't move away from.
3. Keep their companion with them, unless your vet advises otherwise. Guinea pigs are sociable and separation can add stress.
4. Offer their favourite foods. Fresh hay, leafy greens and herbs they normally like. Don't force food into their mouth.
5. Make sure water is available, in the bottle or bowl they usually use.
6. Don't give home remedies, supplements or human medicines.
7. Don't try to syringe-feed unless your vet has shown you how and advised it.
8. Note the details. When they last ate normally, when you last saw normal droppings and any other changes. Weigh them on kitchen scales if you can do so without stressing them.

Take some of their usual hay and food with you to the vet, along with a few recent droppings if possible.

What your vet may do

Your vet will examine your guinea pig, including their mouth and teeth, listen to their chest and gut, and feel their tummy. They may suggest tests such as X-rays. Treatment may include pain relief, fluids, assisted feeding and medicines to support the gut. Some guinea pigs need to stay in the hospital for a while, and dental problems may need treatment under anaesthetic.

Helping prevent problems

• Unlimited hay. Good-quality hay should make up most of the diet, helping wear down teeth and keep the gut moving.
• Daily vitamin C. Feed a guinea pig-specific pellet in the right amount and a daily portion of fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C. Ask your vet for advice on suitable foods.
• Company. Guinea pigs are happiest with at least one other guinea pig.
• Space and enrichment, with places to hide and room to explore.
• Avoid sudden changes to diet and environment.
• Regular health checks, including teeth.

Our guinea pig care guide covers daily care in more detail.

Weigh them regularly

A weekly weigh-in is one of the most useful things a guinea pig owner can do. Weight loss is often the earliest sign of a problem, appearing before you notice any change in behaviour. Recording weight, appetite and droppings regularly makes small changes easy to spot. Petopedia lets you log food, water, weight and behaviour for all your pets, so you can catch a downward trend early and give your vet clear information if your guinea pig becomes unwell.