Dental disease is the most common health problem in guinea pigs and a major cause of suffering and death. Prevention through appropriate diet and early veterinary care saves lives and reduces suffering.
Dental disease in guinea pigs causes progressive suffering that may go unrecognized until animals are severely compromised. Because guinea pigs hide pain as a prey species survival strategy, owners often do not detect dental problems until significant weight loss has occurred. By this point the animal has often been suffering for weeks or months. The primary cause of dental malocclusion is inappropriate diet - specifically insufficient long-stem hay that requires the grinding motion necessary to maintain proper tooth alignment and wear. A diet of pellets and vegetables without adequate hay creates the conditions for dental disease. This is almost entirely preventable with correct husbandry, making dental disease in guinea pigs largely an owner education and commitment issue.