Understanding and preventing the dental problems that are a leading cause of welfare problems in guinea pigs.
Guinea pig dental disease represents a welfare crisis for the species in captivity, driven primarily by inadequate hay provision and housing on substrates that do not promote natural chewing behavior. The insidious nature of dental disease - often invisible until severe - means owners frequently seek help only when guinea pigs are severely compromised. Prevention through unlimited hay access is simple and effective, yet surveys consistently show that many guinea pigs receive insufficient hay relative to other foods. Veterinary dental examination for older guinea pigs allows early intervention before weight loss becomes severe.