Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs? We’re here for it!

Give me a G, give me a P, give me an A, give me a W, and what have you got? GPAW 2026! Yes, Guinea Pig Awareness Week is back, shining a spotlight on these fabulous small furries.

Now in its sixth year, GPAW has become a key fixture in the pet care calendar, bringing together veterinary practices, animal welfare charities, rescues, retailers and owners to improve understanding of guinea pig welfare. This year’s event runs from 26-30 October.

Throughout the week, there will be expert advice, educational content and real owner stories, helping to make guinea pig health and welfare accessible and engaging for every guinea pig owner.

The 2026 theme is ‘Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs’, with health and proactive care at the heart of the campaign. The aim is to help owners recognise when their guinea pigs are in good health, as well as knowing the signs that reveal something may not be quite right, which, with these adorable small pets, can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.

Could you tell if something’s wrong with your piggy pal?

“Guinea pigs are incredibly good at hiding signs that they may not be feeling themselves, which can make it difficult for owners to recognise when something is wrong,” reveals Burgess in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes.

“This year’s Guinea Pig Awareness Week is about giving owners the knowledge and confidence to be proactive about their guinea pigs’ health. Alongside good everyday care, regular veterinary checks and simple health monitoring at home can make a real difference. We want GPAW to empower owners to understand what happy, healthy guinea pigs look like – and to recognise when they might need a little extra help.”

GET YOUR FREE GPAW PACK! Packed with helpful information to support guinea pigs to live happier, healthier lives through better care, nutrition and welfare, you can get your GPAW resources here >>

Do you know the five guinea pig welfare needs?

The campaign will also highlight the important role that the five welfare needs – environment, diet, behaviour, companionship and health – play in supporting guinea pigs’ overall wellbeing.  

“Guinea pigs may be small, but their needs are not,” says Dr Moyes. “They rely on us to provide the right care, environment and companionship to help them live long, happy, healthy lives. Every guinea pig deserves five essential welfare needs to be met every day.”

• ENVIRONMENT Guinea pigs need a spacious, secure home with good ventilation and protection from weather. They should have constant access to a larger exercise area, with hiding spaces where they can feel safe. Clean, dry bedding and regular cleaning are essential for their comfort and health.
• DIET Guinea pigs require a high-fibre diet based on good-quality feeding hay, supported by balanced nuggets and fresh greens. They cannot make their own vitamin C, so their diet must provide a reliable source every day. Fresh water should always be available. Nutritious treats also provide extra interest and are great for hand feeding!
• BEHAVIOUR Guinea pigs are active and curious. They need space to run, explore and forage. Tunnels, hideaways and enrichment help prevent boredom and encourage natural behaviours such as grazing and burrowing.
• COMPANIONSHIP Guinea pigs are highly social animals and should not live alone. They thrive when housed in compatible pairs or small groups, allowing them to communicate, groom and rest together. Living with other guinea pigs helps reduce stress and supports emotional wellbeing.
• HEALTH Guinea pigs should be protected from pain, injury and disease. Regular health checks, prompt veterinary care and daily observation help identify problems early. Clean housing and correct nutrition play an important role in supporting long- term wellbeing.

BIG news for this year’s GPAW – we're launching the Big Pig Health Check! 

How are your guinea pigs doing today? 

On Friday 30 October, we’re inviting guinea pig owners, rescues, charities and vets across the UK to spare just five minutes to help us give 500 piggies a health check in a single day. Want to get involved? Sign up and download your FREE guide to take part here >>  

• GPAW 2026 is led by guinea pig care specialists Burgess Pet Care supported by animal welfare and veterinary organisations including Guinea Pig Welfare UK, RSPCA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen and Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, who come together every year to support guinea pig welfare.
• Stay in the loop with everything guinea pig on our socials – hop on over to the GPAW Facebook page and Instagram @GuineaPigAwarenessWeek to discover top tips, expert advice, and, of course, lots of super cute piggy photos! 

Dr Moyes says: “GPAW really matters because, despite being hugely popular companion animals, guinea pigs are among the most misunderstood pets in the UK. We’re on a mission to inform and educate guinea pig lovers everywhere so that these much-loved pets have everything they need to be healthy and happy.”

What’s the secret to healthy, happy guinea pigs? Try seeing things from a piggy perspective >> 

*  While it’s lovely for children to enjoy the company of guinea pigs, the responsibility for any animal’s wellbeing lies with adults. Small animals are often more complex to feed and care for than a cat or dog and require more looking after than a child can offer. *

SERVE UP ONLY THE VERY BEST DINNER FOR YOUR GORGEOUS GUINEA PIGS!

Guinea pigs deserve a high-quality diet that’s created just for them. At Burgess, all our food for guinea pigs is made at our factory in the heart of Yorkshire, using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications.

With a long tradition of supporting British farmers, we actively source all our ingredients as close to our mill as possible and have launched many innovations. These include the world’s first indoor guinea pig nuggets, which are made with a calm formula. And, as well as a choice of yummy Nuggets with Mint or Blackcurrant & Oregano, there’s also a variety for mature guinea pigs with cranberry and mint. 

Don’t forget to check out our range of tasty, high-quality feeding hay and nutritious and delicious healthy treats, which are perfect for handfeeding and mixing with hay for a fabulous foraging experience!

What should I feed my guinea pigs? Follow our 5-step guide >> 

*It’s no surprise that 92% of UK vets recommend our Burgess Excel small pets range!*

And, with a whole host of five-star reviews, Burgess Excel customers who have purchased our guinea pig nuggets and hay have told us: 

* “Our guinea pigs love this hay!” * “My guinea girls love to munch on this every day. I love their little squeaks of delight when it is given to them and their excited hops around it to find the best bits to eat first!” * “First time using this hay, and my 4 guinea pigs absolutely love it. They have hay in a tray that they are able to graze in, but they love this hay in their hay rack.” * “This herbage is clearly high quality, with lovely whole pieces of dandelion and marigold. A fantastic product for small pets.” * “I've tried other mixes, but this one is the best in terms of quality and how much my small animals enjoy it.” * Great product my guinea pigs love this and won’t eat any other pellets now. * My guinea pigs love this – Burgess is such a good brand and made in the UK which is another benefit. * “My guineas love the blackcurrant version.” * “My guinea pigs prefer these to anything else. I supplement them with greens and hay, but they can’t get enough of these nuggets.” * “Although I haven't tasted these myself, I can say that my guinea pigs seem to find these very tasty!” *

NEED SOME EXPERT GUINEA PIG FEEDING TIPS?

If you are at all unsure about the best way of feeding your guinea pigs or have any concerns about specific nutritional requirements, ask your local veterinary practice for advice. You can also call our expert team on 44 (0)0800 413 969, who’ll be happy to help. They’re available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, drop us a message.

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for all your guinea pigs from Burgess, the pet experts. Health, housing, feeding, companionship and guinea pig behaviour. It’s all here >> 

And why not join the Burgess Pet Club? Sign up for exclusive offers, competitions and expert advice from our in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes.