Guinea Pig Awareness Week returns for 2026
GPAW 2026 will run from 26-30 October.
Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) is to return in October 2026, with a focus on what it takes to keep guinea pigs ‘happy and healthy’.
The welfare initiative, which is in its sixth year, will run from Monday, 26 October until Friday, 30 October.
Its theme of ‘Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs’ is said to promote guinea pig health and proactive care. It will also highlight the importance of their five welfare needs: environment, diet, behaviour, companionship and health.
This year’s GPAW will aim to support guinea pig owners with recognising the signs of good and poor health in their pets.
It will highlight how, despite being vulnerable to a number of health issues, guinea pigs’ prey instincts mean they will hide signs they are unwell. Experts will call on pet owners to pay attention to indicators such as behavioural changes, appetite, weight and changes to normal routines.
Pet owners will be encouraged to take a ‘proactive approach’ to guinea pig care, with regular veterinary care and at-home monitoring.
The initiative will be led by Burgess Excel, with support from organisations including GPWUK, RSPCA and Blue Cross.
GPAW 2026 will provide a range of resources for owners, veterinary teams, rescues and retailers. Organisations are encouraged to share these resources, run educational activities and support guinea pig owners.
Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director, 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.”
Image © Kanyshev Andrey/Shutterstock.com
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
