How do I know if my guinea pig has toothache?

Whilst native to Peru, guinea pigs have become popular household pets in the UK. Their affectionate and gentle nature makes them a great companion, but how can you tell they have toothache and what should you do if you think your guinea pig has issues with their teeth?

Guinea pigs and dental disease

Unlike humans, a guinea pig’s teeth grow continuously. Their jaws are also specially designed for side-to-side grinding to help maintain tooth length. This means they require special dental care and are prone to different dental issues in comparison to us. Dental disease is very common in guinea pigs, some studies have shown up to 36% being affected! Dental disease is also the main reason for veterinary visits. Early intervention is vital to prevent your guinea pig from suffering from pain and discomfort. If you think your guinea pig might have a toothache, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible for a check-up and prompt treatment.

But what causes dental disease in guinea pigs in the first place?

Risk factors

Older guinea pigs are more likely to develop dental problems due to cumulative dental wear and tear.

Poor cage hygiene can contribute to the risk of dental infections.

Lack of access to gnawing material and a fibrous diet.

Overgrown teeth

Guinea pigs need fibre to naturally wear down their teeth when they chew. A good source of fibre is hay. A diet mainly made up of pellets, fruits, or soft vegetables will not provide enough abrasion for your guinea pig to grind their teeth down. A lack of fibre will cause a guinea pig’s teeth to continuously grow and eventually become overgrown.

It is your guinea pig’s cheek teeth that tend to overgrow, not the incisors we can easily see from the front. This means it’s easy for you to miss seeing them overgrow! If overgrown cheek teeth are left for a long time, this can eventually lead to incisors overgrowing too.

Malocclusion

Some guinea pigs are genetically prone to growing teeth that are misaligned (malocclusion). Overgrown teeth can also lead to malocclusion. Malocclusion can lead to the teeth growing unevenly. This can cause dental spurs to form, which poke into the soft fleshy cheek and tongue, causing ulcers and pain.

Tooth root abscess

A tooth root abscess acts as a sign to say that dental disease has been around for a while already. The infection is at the base of the tooth in the jaw and is incredibly painful. The abscess puts pressure on surrounding tissues and results in a lot of inflammation and further discomfort.

Broken teeth

If your guinea pig likes to cause trouble, they may end up breaking or cracking their teeth. This can result in malocclusion, leading to improper tooth wear.

So, what are the signs of dental disease in guinea pigs?

The signs of dental disease in guinea pigs will vary depending on the exact cause. However, there are some general signs of dental disease to look out for, including:

Not eating

Difficulty eating e.g. dropping food

Weight loss – This is due to not being able to eat properly.

Lethargy

Drooling / ‘slobbers’

Aggression

Pawing at their mouth

Bleeding from the mouth

Swelling near the mouth

Smelly breath

Weeping eyes

Bulging eyes

Change in grooming habits

If you have multiple guinea pigs living at home, it can be hard to notice if one is not properly eating. If you are unsure, try to isolate the affected guinea pig for a short period to see if they are eating normally.

Guinea pigs are prey animals, so they’re really good at hiding signs of pain. Regular handling and gentle mouth checks at home can also help you spot early signs of dental disease. While it’s not always easy to see inside a guinea pig’s mouth, noticing any behaviour change can be a vital clue for dental issues. If you have even the slightest suspicion that your guinea pig is not feeling right, take them to your veterinarian.

What to do if you suspect your guinea pig has dental disease

Don’t wait! Whilst dental disease is not an emergency, it can be incredibly painful for your guinea pig. Leaving your guinea pig with dental issues is a serious welfare issue. If they show any of the symptoms listed above, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If possible, you should take your guinea pig to an exotic veterinary specialist. Exotic vets are more likely to be better equipped for handling and investigating dental disease in guinea pigs, providing them with the best chance of recovery and a much healthier future.

What will the vet do?

Testing, testing!

Your vet will start off by asking a series of questions. This helps them to understand your guinea pig’s lifestyle and diet at home, which could explain the cause of their dental issues. The next step is to perform a clinical exam, where the vet will assess their overall condition and health. They will look for signs of pain and any obvious problems. Depending on the stress levels and temperament of your guinea pig, your vet may then try to look inside your guinea pig’s mouth. This can be difficult when they are conscious, and they may have to be sedated for your vet to properly examine their mouth and teeth.

Unfortunately, vets do not have X-ray vision, and they may not be able to determine the problem just by clinically examining your guinea pig. They may have to anaesthetise them to take X-rays.

Treatment

Depending on what your vet finds, your guinea pig will then be offered a choice of treatments. The treatment you and your vet decide on will depend on your guinea pig’s suitability, cost, and risks. It is ultimately your decision which treatment option you choose, but your vet will be able to advise you and advocate for what is best given the context.

Dental treatment – This usually involves grinding down overgrown teeth with a dental burr or removing infected teeth whilst under general anaesthesia. Your vet should never offer to clip your guinea pig’s teeth with clippers, as we now know this can fracture teeth, causing more problems than it solves!

Antibiotics – These are not always necessary, but if your vet is concerned there may be an infection present then they may prescribe antibiotics.

Pain relief – Dental disease is uncomfortable and painful, regardless of the cause. The most common pain relief vets prescribe guinea pigs is meloxicam. You can give this orally at home but be gentle if your guinea pig has a sore mouth.

Post-operative care – Ironically, your guinea pig will benefit from soft foods via syringe feeding for a short while after any dental surgery.

What can be done to prevent dental disease in guinea pigs?

The most common cause of dental disease in guinea pigs is an inappropriate diet. Low fibre results in overgrown teeth and tooth root abscesses follow.

Provide plenty of fibre 24/7, including timothy and meadow hay. Hay provides a longer chewing time to help grind those cheek teeth down. Only give small amounts of soft, sugary treats (muesli, fruit, and lettuce) to prevent dental disease. Guinea pigs also benefit from having something harder to gnaw on. Apple wood is a good choice and will help them naturally grind their teeth down.

Unlike us, guinea pigs can’t make their own supply of vitamin C, so it must come from their diet. Vitamin C would normally help your guinea pig’s gums to stay nice and healthy. Dandelions are a great source of vitamin C for your guinea pig but be sure to include them as part of a balanced and healthy diet.

Make sure to check in on your guinea pig daily to keep an eye out for signs of dental disease. You should also take your guinea pig to the vet once or twice a year for a routine check-up. This helps to spot any issues quickly.

Remember, act quickly! Do not ignore signs of dental disease in guinea pigs. Toothache is incredibly painful and the longer you leave it, the more complicated it can be to sort out.

Summary

Dental disease is very common in pet guinea pigs because their teeth continuously grow. They need a high-fibre diet to naturally wear down their teeth and prevent problems from malocclusion. The main signs that your guinea pig has toothache include swelling, not eating, drooling, and eye problems. It is important to check in on your guinea pig daily to monitor them for signs of dental disease and any other health issues. It is recommended that your vet performs a general health and dental check once to twice a year.

More and more insurance companies are now providing small mammal insurance cover, including guinea pigs. If you are worried about covering the cost of dental disease treatment for your guinea pig, it may be worth trying to find an insurance policy that could help to cover this in the future. Taking out a new insurance policy will not cover pre-existing dental conditions, but could help to cover future dental care, including check-ups, surgery, and medications.