What Is Guinea Pig Hay Poke? (And What To Do About It)

Hay poke is a painful and potentially dangerous eye injury in guinea pigs caused by sharp pieces of hay. Learn how to prevent, spot, and treat this common cavy condition.

What Is Hay Poke?

Hay poke (sometimes called a hay stab) is exactly what it sounds like: a piece of hay pokes your guinea pig—most often in the eye, causing irritation, redness, swelling, or even infection.

Because guinea pigs burrow, forage, and sleep in their hay, they’re vulnerable to accidental jabs from stiff, sharp strands. These injuries can range from minor surface scratches to serious corneal ulcers.

Why Does It Happen?

Guinea pigs love to snuffle and dive into hay piles, especially when foraging. But some types of hay—like long-stemmed timothy or orchard grass—can be particularly pointy and brittle.

Hay poke most often happens when:

• Hay is placed loosely or messily in the cage

• Pigs are digging into hay piles

• Sharp stems or stalks are at eye level

• They’re startled and run face-first into hay

Signs of Hay Poke

Keep an eye out (pun intended!) for these signs:

• Half-closed eye or frequent blinking

• Watery or teary eye

• Redness or cloudiness

• Squinting or pawing at the face

• Sensitivity to light

• Loss of appetite or hiding (if in pain)

Never wait and see with eye issues—hay poke can worsen quickly if untreated.

What Should You Do?

If you suspect hay poke, contact an exotics-savvy vet right away. Even a tiny scratch can become infected, and untreated hay poke can lead to vision loss or eye removal.

Treatment may include:

• A fluorescein stain test to check for damage

• Antibiotic eye drops or ointment

• Pain medication

• In severe cases, surgery

Can You Prevent Hay Poke?

Yes! While accidents happen, you can reduce the risk with a few simple tweaks:

✅ Use a hay rack or bag to keep hay off the cage floor (just make sure it’s safe and accessible)

✅ Choose softer hays like 2nd cut timothy, orchard grass, or meadow hay

✅ Avoid overly stiff or sharp hay (especially stalk-heavy batches)

✅ Keep hay at nose level or lower, not eye level

✅ Offer foraging boxes or low-sided bins so pigs can dig safely

Final Thoughts

Hay poke is common—but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. A little awareness, gentle hay, and safe feeding setups can go a long way in keeping your piggy’s eyes happy and healthy.

And remember: when in doubt, call the vet.

💛 Keep Those Piggy Eyes Safe

Hay is essential—but hay poke doesn’t have to be part of the deal. With the right setup, soft hay, and quick action when needed, you can protect your pig’s precious peepers.

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Let’s help every cavy live a happier, healthier life—one hay pile at a time. 🐹🌾