Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My guinea pig has health issues. What to do for constipation or eyes?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Guinea Pig | Male

How can we help our guinea pig who may be constipated? Other guinea pig has receding eye - is it serious?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 12th, 2019

Any eye problems should be examining by a veterinarian. You should not leave an eye problem untreated.

Constipation can be caused by many things but usually it is due to a poor/incorrect diet. You need to make sure your husbandry is 100% correct. Your guinea pig's daily diet should contain hay, clean water and fresh greens. Pellets provide vegetable matter combined with vitamin C, but if your cavy eats too many in proportion to his regular diet he may get constipated. I suggest you feed him some low-sugar fruits (such as a piece of unpeeled apple or pear peel) and some leafy greens as they have a high water content. Putting a few drops of olive oil on a treat he enjoys can also help move things along. Finally, you should start him on a probiotic.

( https://www.jefferspet.com/products/bene-bac-plus )

( https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/food-nutrition/guinea-pig-care-diet-and-feeding-tips.html )

I would recommend Oxbow hay and pellets that you can buy at your local Petco or online.

If he is still having trouble in 12-24 hours I suggest you have him examined by your local vet.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My guinea pig is sick: not eating, losing weight, crusty eyes. What to do?

He needs to be seen as soon as possible by your local veterinarian. Unfortunately the signs you are describing are quite severe and concerning and possibly a gastrointestinal inflammation/infection is present. I would recommend an immediate check up, radiographs, antibiotics and supportive treatment (fluidtherapy) are required.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My guinea pig has crusty eyes for years, now bald spots. What's wrong?

Thanks for using PetCoach. There are several possibilities for Pietje's crusty eyes. The first is to make sure that he has adequate Vitamin C supplement. This needs to be in the form of fresh fruits and veggies as well as fresh food, and Vit C supplement (not in the water). A bit more on feeding https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/guinea-pigs-feeding The other differentials include mites or ringworm. A vet visit can help diagnose either of these conditions. The vet may recommend a fungal culture or skin scraping to make a diagnosis. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/guinea-pigs-problems I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My guinea pig isn't grooming, smells, and poops undigested hay. Vet?

Hi there! Yes, you should definitely take Pepper into a your vet for an examination. I don't think it's an emergency but I would do it soon. Be sure that you take her to a vet that is used to treating guinea pigs. There are a many things that could be going on. Most common at her age would be a tooth issue causing her not to be able to chew her food appropriately or an intestinal impaction/constipation. Be sure you are feeding the correct type of hay and you are getting it from a good source. Poor quality hay can cause a lot of problems. I like Oxbow products: http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/farm-fresh-hay I hope this helps. Best wishes!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why do my guinea pigs have eye discharge but no other symptoms?

You can take some eye wash like the one below, and rinse out the eyes twice a day for about 5-7 days. If no improvement or they seem worse at any time then you need to get them to a vet for an exam. http://www.allivet.com/p-8131-vetericyn-plus-eye-wash-3-oz.aspx

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My guinea pig's eye is crusty and sunken, no discharge. What's wrong?

Thanks for reaching out about Periwinkle and including photos. Try cleaning the eye area with a soft moistened cloth. If appears white/creamy or persists, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Continue to monitor appetite. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My guinea pig has a wet, gunky eye and is chattering his teeth. Help!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Pebbles. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian as he may have an eye infection. The veterinarian will use an ophthalmic scope to evaluate the eyes. He will likely need an eye drop or ointment. Is he sneezing or having any other signs of disease? If so, he could have an upper respiratory tract infection and may need an antibiotic. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to treat a guinea pig's swollen, cloudy eye with hay stuck?

I suggest you get this eye ointment to put in the eye 2-3 times per day. If after about 4 days of treatment there is no improvement or if the eye looks worse at any time then you will need to take Chauncey to the vet for an exam. I would continue to flush the eye out once a day with saline solution as well. http://www.allivet.com/p-1292-terramycin-ophthalmic-ointment.aspx http://www.allivet.com/p-1294-eye-wash-solution-4-oz.aspx Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share