Can Your Guinea Pig Be Allergic to Hay? (What You Need to Know)

Hay is the primary food for guinea pigs. It makes for about 80% of their diet. Despite all this, can guinea pigs be allergic to hay?

Typically, guinea pigs aren’t allergic to hay. It’s more common for guinea pigs to be allergic to the dust found in hay.

Let’s dive into what you should do if you *think* your guinea pig might be allergic to hay.

Shall we?

Is Your Guinea Pig Allergic To Hay? (Guinea Pig Owners Speak Out) 

Allergies aren’t new to the cavy community. Many guinea pig owners have had to deal with them at some point.

I manually surveyed 125 guinea pig owners to find out if their little furries had been allergic to hay. Here are the results of my survey;

• 106 of the respondents (85%) said their guinea pigs had never had allergies to hay. The main brand of hay they used was Timothy Hay. Some also used Orchard and Meadow hay.
• 19 of the respondents (15%) said their guinea pigs were allergic to hay or hay dust. The main brand guinea pigs were allergic to was Timothy Hay. Many parents switched to other brands and saw the allergies disappear.

Many guinea pig parents discovered the allergies because of sneezing, wheezing and runny noses.

The symptoms persisted even after giving their little friends medicine. Some pet parents were the ones allergic to the hay rather than their little fur babies. The switch to other brands always solved the allergy issues in the hay.

Here’s some highlights from the survey:

• Hay allergies were pretty rare in the cavy community.
• Orchard Grass was the most recommended for guinea pigs allergic to hay.
• Some parents suggested not buying hay from the pet store as it contains a lot of dust.
• Other parents put air purifiers next to their piggie’s cages to clear the air a bit.
• Antihistamines were the main medication for treating allergies if they persisted. In severe cases, guinea pigs were given immunotherapy or allergy shots.
• Many parents suggested also increasing the frequency of cleaning your guinea pig’s cage. Cleaning twice a week instead of once helps reduce dust accumulation.

Can A Guinea Pig Be Allergic To Timothy Hay?

Yes, in some cases guinea pigs can be allergic to Timothy hay. But, they’re likely allergic to the dust rather than Timothy Hay itself.

You can tell if your little furries are allergic to hay if they start sneezing when you add it to the cage. Guinea pigs aren’t exactly allergic to hay itself. They’re allergic to the dust in the hay.

Here are the main symptoms of allergies in guinea pigs;

• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Running
• Rashes on skin (easier to see on skinny pigs)
• Itching
• Shortness of breath.

If a guinea pig is allergic to dust, it can get pink eye. This is called conjunctivitis. It can spread to other guinea pigs easily, so it’s important to keep the sick guinea pig away from healthy ones.

They also cause respiratory problems in guinea pigs. Dust is very dangerous for guinea pigs’ sensitive respiratory systems. Respiratory infections are one of the main causes of death for guinea pigs. 

If you suspect that your piggie might have some sort of allergic reaction to Timothy hay, switch to another brand. The best alternative tends to be Orchard grass but there are many other options as listed below:

• Orchard Grass – It’s an easily accessible and popular alternative to Timothy Hay. It contains the same nutrients as Timothy and is less prone to allergic reactions.
• Meadow Hay – is a mix of grass, flowers, and plants. It’s very good for chewing which is great for guinea pigs. However alone, it might not provide enough nutrition for your little fur baby.
• Oat Hay – is less likely to cause allergic reactions. It’s also very nutritious and one of the best alternatives to Timothy Hay.
• Alfalfa Grass – it’s delicious and most guinea pigs love the taste. It’s also high in calcium. But, it can be very fattening for your furry friend.

If you want more information on how to get your piggie to eat more how AND how to avoid wasting so much of it, check out: 7 Simple Ways to Get Guinea Pigs to Eat More Hay and 5 Top Tips to Stop Guinea Pig Hay Waste

If you feel your piggie has an allergic reaction to hay, it’s important to get a vet’s opinion. Home diagnosis is not always accurate.

Allergies shouldn’t be allowed to persist because they will cause more harm. Try to do everything in your power to stop them. Aside from changing the hay, remember to clean their enclosure more often. Sometimes that helps.

What To Do If Your Guinea Pig Is Allergic to Hay?

If your guinea pig seems to be allergic to the hay you’re using, then switch to Orchard hay. It’s a popular hay for guinea pig owners that are allergic to hay themselves OR that suspect their little friends might have had an allergic reaction to other types of hay.

Guinea pigs eat mostly hay. They need the fiber from hay to help their stomachs digest food properly.

Maybe you just bought a new batch of hay. Then you notice your furry friends are showing allergy symptoms. Here’s what you can deal with it:

• Remove the hay from the packet and transfer it into a storage container. Fluff up the hay to get rid of the dust before putting it back in the cage.
• You can also use a nylon hay feeder pouch. This will help prevent dust from spreading around the enclosure.
• You can also lightly spray the hay with mist from a spray bottle to reduce the dust. Remember to spray very lightly. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be fed wet hay.

What Does A Guinea Pig Allergy Look Like?

Sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, itching, skin rashes, and shortness of breath are all signs that your guinea pig might be allergic to something.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is another sign of allergies in guinea pigs. Skin rashes can cause irritation and the allergy symptoms can also develop into respiratory infections.

Sneezing is usually the first sign, especially with allergens like dust. You can notice this as soon as you put hay in their cage. Constant sneezing can quickly lead to wheezing as they keep breathing in the dust.

Wheezing can advance into shortness of breath. This is usually the onset of respiratory infections.

So please take your fuzz spud to the vet when you notice any issues with their breathing.

Can Hay Make Guinea Pigs Sick?

Hay can make guinea pigs sick if it is full of dust or mold. Dusty hay will give guinea pigs allergies and respiratory problems. Moldy hay can give guinea pigs mycotoxin poisoning.

Allergies and respiratory issues can make a guinea pig very sick. Respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of death in guinea pigs.

Mycotoxin poisoning (mold poisoning) can lead to organ failure in guinea pigs – especially if it’s left untreated.

It can also lower their immunity making them likely to get diseases and infections.

Remember, hay in itself doesn’t usually make guinea pigs sick. It’s either too much dust or poor storage that will cause problems for your furry potato.

What Can a Guinea Pig Be Allergic To?

Guinea pigs can be allergic to dust, certain types of food and bedding, and things in their environment like smoke. Long-term exposure to these types of things can cause allergic conjunctivitis in guinea pigs.

• Dust allergy – is mainly caused by dust in bedding, hay, or enclosure. Signs are mainly sneezing, running nose, and red eyes.
• Food allergy – caused by some ingredients in food such as nuts, seeds, oil, ground corn, and rice bran. Symptoms are mainly labored breathing, changes in the skin, and rashes.
• Bedding allergy – causes can be dust, strong scent, or soiled bedding. The symptoms are red and watery eyes, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.
• Environment allergy – caused by strong scents, fumes, household chemicals, fleas, and mites. Symptoms are mainly red and watery eyes, labored breathing, and sneezing.

Is It Normal for Guinea Pigs to Sneeze?

Yes, it’s quite normal for guinea pigs to sneeze. A guinea pig can sneeze between two to four times a day. However, if the sneezing is more than usual, then it’s a cause of concern. It can mean that there is an allergic reaction or a respiratory infection.

Final Thoughts About Guinea Pigs and Hay Allergies

Let’s summarize, shall we?

• Guinea pigs aren’t allergic to hay. It’s the dust in hay that causes the allergies.
• When you notice that your guinea pig seems allergic to the hay you use, change the brand.
• Guinea pig diet MUST have hay. So, find the brand that fits your little fur baby.
• In case of allergies, please consult a vet. Allergies can become worse and cause some serious illnesses.
• The main brands of hay are Timothy, Orchard, Meadow, and Alfalfa. If your piggie is allergic to Timothy, try Orchard.
• The main symptoms of guinea pig allergies are sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.