A guinea pig on a patch of green grass
Guinea Pig Awareness Week Returns For 2026 With A Focus On Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs
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Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW), the UK’s leading welfare initiative dedicated to guinea pigs, returns this year from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October, with a new focus on helping owners better understand what it takes to keep their guinea pigs happy and healthy.
The 2026 theme, ‘Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs’, will put health and proactive care at the heart of the campaign, as well as highlighting the important role that the five welfare needs - environment, diet, behaviour, companionship and health - play in supporting guinea pigs’ overall wellbeing.
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, pet care brands and owners to improve understanding of guinea pig welfare.
A key focus for this year will also be helping owners recognise when their guinea pigs are in good health, as well as understanding the signs that something may not be quite right. Guinea pigs are vulnerable to a range of health issues and, as prey animals, can be very good at hiding signs that they are unwell. Changes in behaviour, appetite, weight or normal routines can therefore be important indicators that veterinary attention may be needed.
To address this, the campaign will encourage owners to take a proactive approach to guinea pig health, highlighting that regular veterinary care alongside simple at-home monitoring can play a vital role in spotting potential problems early.
GPAW will once again be led by guinea pig care specialists Burgess Excel supported by animal welfare and veterinary organisations, including GPWUK, RSPCA, Blue Cross, Woodgreen Pets Charity and Raystede, who have come together to support guinea pig welfare.
Suzanne Moyes, Deputy Managing Director and In-house Vet at Burgess Pet Care, said: “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. This year’s Guinea Pig Awareness Week is about giving owners the knowledge and confidence to be proactive about their guinea pigs’ health.
“By understanding the five welfare needs and how they work together, owners can help create the right conditions for their guinea pigs to thrive. 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.”
GPAW 2026 will be supported by a range of resources designed to make it easier for owners, veterinary teams, rescues and retailers to access and share trusted advice. Downloadable campaign packs will provide practical information and materials to help bring the ‘Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs’ message to life.
Throughout the week, there will be expert advice, educational content, real owner stories and creative activations, helping to make guinea pig health and welfare accessible and engaging for owners.
Businesses, veterinary teams, rescues and other organisations are encouraged to support GPAW by sharing campaign resources, running educational activity and helping owners understand how proactive care can contribute to happier, healthier guinea pigs.
Interested organisations can register to receive campaign updates and resources via the Guinea Pig Alliance website.
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