Guinea pig owners across the UK are being encouraged to take part in the Big Pig Health Check, a nationwide challenge aiming to deliver 500 five-minute Guinea pig health checks in a single day.
The challenge, which will be open to veterinary teams, charities and rescues as well as individual pet owners, will take place on Friday October 30 during Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW),
Running from October 26-30, GPAW 2026 will champion the theme ‘Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs’, encouraging owners to take a more proactive approach to their small animal’s wellbeing.
The health check challenge follows new research from campaign backer Burgess Excel which reveals that more than one in three guinea pig owners do not regularly check the weight or body condition of their guinea pigs, despite these being among the most important indicators of overall health and wellbeing.
To drive participation, GPAW is partnering with veterinary influencer Cat the Vet, who will share practical advice and demonstrations across social media. Anyone who signs up to take part in the challenge will receive a free guide explaining how to carry out a ‘Piggy MOT’ at home. The guide covers everything required for the challenge including checking eyes, ears, noses, fur, feet and nails, as well as further useful information such as monitoring weight, looking for lumps and spotting changes in behaviour, eating habits and droppings.
Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director and In-house vet at Burgess Pet Care, said: “Guinea pigs can be very good at masking signs of discomfort or illness, so owners often need to look for subtle changes in their usual behaviour, appetite, weight or appearance.
“The Piggy MOT is designed to make those checks feel more manageable, showing owners what to look for and help them recognise when something may need veterinary attention. We hope to see many people get involved to support this cause towards better care for guinea pigs.”
John Chitty, chair of Guinea Pig Welfare UK, added: “Guinea Pig Awareness Week is about putting guinea pig welfare firmly in the spotlight and giving people clear, trusted information that can make a real difference to the small animals in their care.
“This year’s Big Pig Health Check gives the campaign a practical focus, uniting owners, rescues and veterinary professionals behind one simple action.”
