Guinea Pig Mites Treatment! What to Do If Your Guinea Pig Is Itchy, Twitchy, or Losing Fur

Is your guinea pig scratching constantly, losing patches of fur, or twitching when touched? You might be dealing with something more serious than a little itch: mites.

Mites are tiny parasites that burrow into your piggy’s skin. They’re invisible to the naked eye, but trust us—your piggy feels them. And they hurt.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

• What mites are

• The symptoms to watch for

• What doesn’t work (and why!)

• Effective Guinea Pig Mite Treatments

• How to clean and prevent future outbreaks

  
  

What Are Mites?

Mites are microscopic pests that can cause severe irritation, hair loss, and even pain in guinea pigs. They often arrive undetected through:

• Hay or bedding

• New piggy introductions

• Unclean cages

• Exposure at pet stores or rescues

Even the cleanest home can wind up with a mite problem, so don’t blame yourself. But acting fast is key.

🔍 Symptoms to Watch For

Some early signs of a mite infestation include:

• Persistent scratching

• Twitchy skin or flinching when touched

• Bald patches or scabbing

• In severe cases: seizures or refusal to eat

If your pig seems extra itchy, don’t wait. The longer mites go untreated, the worse they get.

What Doesn’t Work

A quick scroll through pet forums may suggest things like:

• Coconut oil

• Flea shampoo

• Guesswork treatments

These can make things worse—or mask symptoms. Only a proper antiparasitic like ivermectin or selamectin will resolve the issue safely.

What Does Work

We recommend:

• Ivermectin (oral or topical – often available over the counter)

• Selamectin (a vet-prescribed spot-on treatment)

• Veterinary guidance for dosing and confirmation

Always follow treatment instructions precisely, and treat all pigs in the cage—even if only one is showing symptoms.

Don’t Forget the Environment

Once you start treatment, deep clean your piggy’s environment:

• Wash fleece liners in hot water

• Disinfect all surfaces and hideouts

• Toss questionable hay or bedding

Mites can live in the environment and reinfest your herd, so this step is critical.

Preventing Mites in the Future

Stay ahead of infestations by:

• Quarantining new pigs for at least 2 weeks

• Buying hay from trusted sources

• Keeping an eye out for scratching or behavioral changes

Your piggies deserve to live itch-free—and with a little vigilance, they absolutely can.

🐾 Wrap-Up

Mites are miserable—but treatable. If your pig is showing signs, don’t delay. Treat, clean, and prevent, and your herd will be back to popcorning in no time.

Save & share this post to help other piggy parents spot the signs early!