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A vet has issued a warning to owners of guinea pigs to know the signs as osteoarthritis often goes unnoticed by owners and vets, even in advanced stages. Dr Suzanne Moyes, qualified vet and in-house guinea pig expert at Burgess Pet Care said: "Studies have shown that the top welfare issues guinea pigs face include small housing, inappropriate diets and inappropriate handling, which may be contributing factors to developing osteoarthritis.
"A living space that is too small is a big factor that can often manifest as arthritis in your guinea pig as it promotes a sedentary lifestyle for your pig, which can restrict their joint use and lead to increased weight and joint overloading."
To spot the signs of arthritis in your guinea pig, Dr Moyes recommends looking out for symptoms and signs your pig could be in pain.
Dr Moyes advises: "If you suspect your guinea pig has osteoarthritis, always consult a vet for a proper diagnosis. A vet may prescribe treatment to manage any pain and inflammation your pig might have but they will also share advice on how to manage their symptoms effectively. They may also recommend physiotherapy.
"If your guinea pig has been diagnosed with arthritis, making their housing as comfortable as possible is key. Provide soft, supportive bedding and ensure food and water are easy to access while still trying to encourage an appropriate amount of exercise.
"Scatter feeding rather than using bowls can encourage exercise and help avoid guinea pigs reaching into high sided bowls. Steep ramps should be avoided.
"Obesity can worsen joint pain in guinea pigs so make sure you are feeding them a healthy diet.
To reduce the risk of osteoarthritis in guinea pigs, it's important to ensure your guinea pig follows a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Dr Moyes shares 4 ways to help help manage arthritis in guinea pigs:
Regular check-ups at the vet
"Guinea pigs don't often have routine health checks in the UK, unlike rabbits, who are routinely vaccinated. This poses a major welfare concern, particularly as arthritis can occur at a relatively early age in guinea pigs.
"To detect arthritis early on, regular check ups are important to examine the joint health of your guinea pig.
"I recommend all guinea pig owners prioritise regular six monthly health checks, especially if your guinea pig is over three years of age as it's important for vets to examine their joints for range of movement, bone swellings and pain response."
Follow a balanced diet
"Ensuring your guinea pig has a healthy and balanced diet is key in supporting joint health and overall weight management.
"A small amount of high quality guinea pig food in the form of nuggets, rather than muesli, each day will help ensure your guinea pig gets the vital minerals and vitamins they need alongside 85-90% grazed grass and high-quality feeding hay.
"Make sure to add a handful of leafy greens, vegetables and herbs to your guinea pigs diet each day as these are rich in vitamin C and will help to support joint health."
Make adjustments to their housing
"Ensure your guinea pig has a comfortable housing environment with soft, padded bedding to prevent pressure on their joints. Avoid hard flooring like tiles or laminate and instead use soft matting or fleece bedding.
"You can encourage gentle exercise in your guinea pig by ensuring their living space has enough room to move around freely and explore - this will help to prevent joint stiffness.
"Guinea pigs like to forage for food, and it's a good way to encourage movement so scatter food around their space to help support increased movement and exercise."