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Owners urged to get their guinea pigs neutered
Guinea pigs breed incredibly quickly.
RSPCA fears COVID-19 crisis could lead to a rise in unwanted litters.

The RSPCA is calling on owners to get their guinea pigs neutered to tackle the issue of over-breeding.

The call, which comes on Guinea Pig Appreciation Day (16 July), comes in response to new figures which show the charity received more than 1,000 reports about guinea pigs in 2019 alone.

One of the biggest issues regarding guinea pigs is multi-animal households, where breeding has got out of control, the RSPCA said. Now, in light of many vets having to prioritise emergencies due to COVID-19, it fears there could be many more guinea pigs having unwanted litters.

RSPCA rodent expert Dr Jane Tyson, said: “Guinea pigs breed incredibly quickly so one unneutered pair can quickly lead to an owner having lots of guinea pigs on their hands! We would always advise owners to have their male guinea pigs neutered before introducing them to a female.

“We also find that they can sometimes be mis-sexed by the seller or previous owner which leads to accidental breeding so it’s also important to make sure that your guinea pigs see a vet regularly who would be able to spot if they have been identified incorrectly.”

Earlier this year, the RSPCA rescued some 40 guinea pigs from an address in Lincoln where breeding had got out of control. Many of the guinea pigs rescued were also pregnant at the time.

Four of the females were taken in by the RSPCA Altrincham and Cheshire branch and had 12 babies between them, the charity said.

Dr Tyson continued: “Many of the guinea pigs that come into our care have come from a multi-animal home where there have been large numbers of guinea pigs living in often cramped, dirty and unsuitable conditions. This also means that they may have experienced very little handling and are wary and fearful of human hands and need their confidence building up in RSPCA care.

“This is why, this Guinea Pig Appreciation Day, we wanted to encourage people to neuter their guinea pigs and help tackle the problem of overbreeding.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.