Should You Let Your Guinea Pig Die Naturally? (You Need To Know Now)
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Knowing when to euthanize your guinea pig is a very difficult and emotional decision. But when is it best to euthanize them with your vet, or let your guinea pig die naturally with you at home?
Typically, you shouldn’t let your guinea pig die naturally if they’re in intense pain or have a seriously decreased quality of life. Euthanasia might be the best option for your guinea pig in the case of a sudden accident or if a powerful infection or illness leaves no hope of recovery.
Different illnesses, injuries, chance of recovery or even costs of treatments are all problems other pet parents have faced when making this hard choice. Let’s read on to learn what decision might be best in different situations.
1. Intense Pain Or Suffering
We never want to see our guinea pigs suffering or being in intense pain. It can also be difficult to know when they are ill since they hide being sick so well. If your guinea pig is suffering from intense pain, euthanasia might need to be considered.
A painful illness that causes stress and pain to piggies is bladder stones. The stones form when they eat foods containing too much calcium. Foods like alfalfa or clover hay are high in calcium and can cause bladder stones.
The stones can stop them from peeing and can cause kidney failure and death. It’s painful for guinea pigs to try to urinate with this issue. A vet might suggest euthanasia to prevent them from suffering and if surgery isn’t an option.
Another digestive illness guinea pigs can get is bloat. Bloat occurs when piggies eat foods that have caused gas. This makes their tummies swell with gas and their tummies get hard and distended. This swelling hurts and can make them stop eating, breath heavily and become weak.
It can be hard to know when they have bloat because sometimes the only symptom they show is not eating. By the time we notice the signs of bloat, your piggie might be too sick to go through treatments. In this case, putting them to sleep is an option to stop them from being in continuous pain.
GI stasis happens when piggies don’t eat well and the gut bacteria causes their tummy to get unbalanced. This makes their stomach muscles stop contracting and their food gets stuck. This is dangerous and painful and can cause them to get sick and die.
As prey animals, guinea pigs are masters at hiding their pain. It’s a defensive move to keep predators from knowing they are weak and easier to catch. Our little friends do give us some signs through some changes in their behavior, like not eating. They may be quieter and hide more than normal.
Here are several signs that show when your fur baby might be in pain.
- Reduced appetite
- Losing weight
- Diarrhea or no pooping at all
- Dirty bottoms
- Drinking more water than normal
- Fast or shallow breathing (their chests move up and down quickly)
- Being more aggressive, or not wanting to be picked up
- Nose and eye discharge
- Sneezing and coughing
- Squealing in pain when picked up, or flinching
- Going pee a lot, or struggling to pee
- Blood in their urine
- Hair loss
- Legs and joints that look swollen
Guinea pigs showing one or more of these signs means it’s very likely they’re in pain. Even though they feel safe with you they will still try to hide that they’re hurting. If these painful symptoms can’t be helped by you or their vet, putting them to sleep will stop their suffering.
If you want more information on what to look for in dying piggies, the following posts will be helpful: 11 Devastating Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Die Suddenly and Do Guinea Pigs Die Easily? (10 Mistakes To Avoid)
2. Multiple Surgeries From Illnesses
Guinea pigs can have a tendency to get repeated infections. Bacterial infections in the gut, ears, lungs, or tummy can be difficult to completely get rid of. Multiple bladder infections from stones might mean more surgeries to remove the stones.
Cancerous tumors that keep growing means your piggie will need more than one surgery. These surgeries would extend their lives but the added stress might be a lot for your piggie to handle.
There is the added risk with your piggie going under anesthesia. Guinea pigs have a high risk of complications from anesthesia. This is because of their small size. Surgery can be stressful for your fur baby and can cause shock.
Although we don’t want to lose our little potatoes, euthanasia might be the kindest choice.
Risks of losing guinea pigs under anesthesia are high as well as them becoming sick from the stress. Complications after surgery can also happen. Sometimes hernias can happen from removing the intestines to get to the bladder.
You and your vet need to talk about the risks and possible outcomes for your piggie. And sometimes at that point, it’s more humane to let them go.
You might find this post helpful: Why Do Some Guinea Pigs With Nosebleeds Die? (Explained Now) and 10 Common Causes of Guinea Pig Death (Piggie Parents Weigh In)
3. Unexpected Accident
Unexpected accidents can really hurt our fur babies and cause them a lot of pain. Accidents can happen no matter what. You can’t always prevent them, even if you take care of your little friend They may fall from a high place, get injured from boiling water, or get attacked by another animal.
They like to chew anything that looks interesting, like electrical cords. Some house plants can be toxic if they get eaten by your piggie.
If your guinea pig has had an accident, you may need to think about euthanizing them if:
- The injuries are so severe that they’ll never recover fully
- The injuries are beyond your ability to manage
- You can’t afford the surgery or treatment needed
In these cases, euthanasia would be a kinder way to end their pain and suffering.
Injuries from these kinds of accidents can be painful and can cause death. To help your guinea pig not suffer, your vet might recommend euthanasia.
Get insurance for your guinea pig in case of an unexpected accident.
4. Guinea Pig Is Too Old
Guinea pigs have a relatively short lifespan – just 4 to 7 years. So, it’s not uncommon for them to age faster than other pets. And as they do, they’ll get sick more often, lose appetite, become less active, and more. Sometimes their health will deteriorate drastically, forcing you to put them to sleep.
Signs of aging in guinea pigs include:
- Changes in eating and drinking habits
- Decreased activity level
- Graying fur
- Increased susceptibility to illnesses.
- Loss of muscle mass
- Slowed metabolism
If your guinea pig has become too old and is suffering because of it, it may be time to consider euthanizing them. It will avoid further pain and suffering and allow you to focus on caring for them in their final days.
But as long as your pet is still happy, there’s no need to rush into a decision. Just take things one day at a time and enjoy every moment you have with them.
5. Incurable Or Inoperable Disease
Euthanasia when your guinea pig develops an incurable or inoperable disease can stop them from suffering. This can be cancer, pneumonia, or even repeated infections.
Like humans, guinea pigs can also develop cancer. They can grow benign or malignant tumors. Malignant tumors are cancerous. These tumors can grow quickly and hurt other organs. They need to be surgically removed.
If tumors grow on delicate areas in a guinea pigs body, surgery may not be possible. This type of tumorous cancer is also fatal.
The signs of cancer can be not eating, shallow breathing, dirty or patchy fur and being overly tired and slower. Cancer is treated mainly with medications instead of chemotherapy. Sadly, even with treatment guinea pigs don’t live long.
One of the most common causes of death in guinea pigs is pneumonia. A bacterial infection in the lungs can also cause infections in other areas. Guinea pigs show signs of pneumonia with quick and shallow breathing, dirty and crusty eyes and nose, lack of appetite and weakness.
Scar tissue in the lungs can also make it easier for them to get sick. With repeated infections, these illnesses can eventually cause death.
When a guinea pig develops an incurable or inoperable disease, euthanasia may be the best option to prevent them from suffering. This could be cancer, pneumonia, or repeated infections.
6. You Can’t Afford Treatments
Owning a guinea pig means you are no stranger to how pricey they can be sometimes. (The things we do for our fluffy potatoes, right?) Between food, bedding, toys, treats and any yearly vet visits, our wallets take a good hit. On average, owning just one guinea pig can cost $500-$600 a year with no big health problems.
Unfortunately, there are cases where the cost of treating cancer or bladder stones might be more than we can afford. Special surgeries can be pricey, between $1200-$4000. In cases where surgeries may need to be repeated, (like removing bladder stones or cancerous tumors) costs can triple.
It can be so difficult to decide to put your fur baby to sleep because of the high costs of their care. Here are some factors to think about along with the financial cost:
- Some vets may not offer payment plans. Some places may be too small to have a financial department. If they need the full payment, that can make it harder for you to afford it.
- As an exotic pet, a vet that treats piggies might be hard to find and out of your area (Rural areas, for example). Having to travel adds to the costs of care and can become too expensive.
- Since piggies do better in pairs you can have other furry potatoes that depend on you. Expensive treatments that affect you will affect your other cavies.
- If the chances of your piggie getting better are low, the high cost of treatment might be the last thing to help you decide euthanasia.
In these cases, it is important to remember that no matter how hard it is to decide to euthanize, your cavy won’t have to suffer from pain anymore.
Always have a piggie emergency savings fund in case of an unforeseen health problem. You can start with $50 and add to it every month. This way you are prepared for anything that comes your way.
7. Guinea Pig Is Too Weak
Illnesses and diseases can take a heavy toll on your piggies’ little body. They can become too weak to go through more treatments. Not eating is the most common symptom with almost all health problems for guinea pigs. This means that some piggies can become too weak from losing weight, from how bad their injuries or ailments are.
Older guinea pigs might also be too weak for strong treatments. The anesthesia from surgeries are an added risk for older guinea pigs. If your cavy is too weak and has a low chance of surviving through this, the stress can be too much and make your piggie worse.
In this case, to prevent more stress and added pain, euthanasia is a kinder option.
It can be tough to make the decision to euthanize a sick guinea pig, but sometimes it is the most humane thing to do. If your guinea pig is too weak to recover from an illness or injury, euthanasia may be the best option. This will prevent them from suffering any more pain.
8. A Powerful Infection
As I mentioned above, guinea pigs’ number one cause of death is pneumonia. Bacterial infections take a huge toll on their organs and bodies. Pneumonia can leave scar tissue in the lungs, ear infections can damage their hearing and balance.
Kidney infections from bacteria can be almost impossible to get rid of. This means that each infection they fight might get worse each time.
If an infection becomes too strong to cure, your vet may suggest euthanasia.
A powerful infection can also progress quickly. Your piggie may not shows any signs until the illness is too far along. In these situations, its health can go downhill too fast to even get them to a vet.
A guinea pig that is dying quickly would be more comforted at home with you than in a vet’s office. Letting your piggie pass naturally can be a good choice. Be ready to rush them to the vet if they are dying slowly and with too much pain.
9. Quality Of Life Is Gone
Guinea pigs should live long and happy lives. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes they get old and sick, and life becomes hard for them. It’s not fair, but we can make their lives better by taking care of them and loving them as much as possible.
There’s nothing worse than seeing your beloved pet suffer. But if you think their quality of life is gone, it may be time to consider euthanasia. This would be the most humane thing to do for them.
Signs of an unhappy pet include:
- Having trouble moving around or getting around at all
- Hiding away from you and other family members
- Losing interest in toys and activities that used to bring them joy
- Not being themselves.
- Refusing to eat or drink
If you notice any of these signs, the best thing to do is chat with the vet. The pet doctor will tell you whether there’s a way to make your pig’s life more comfortable.
If your guinea pig is very sick, the vet may suggest that it is time to let them go. This may be because they are too old for treatment or because they are weak and won’t recover. If euthanasia will cause less pain and more peace for your guinea pig, it may be the best thing to do.
Other Piggie Parents Weigh In On Letting Their Guinea Pigs Die Naturally
As usual, I wanted to find out what the general public thought about a sensitive issue. To do that, I surveyed 122 guinea pig owners.
Here’s what I got:
78 respondents (64%) would consider euthanization in case of an irreversible condition. 68 respondents (56%) said the same for intense pain and suffering.
14% of the respondents (18 people) would choose euthanasia in the event of an accident. 26% (32 people) thought aging would be enough to make them euthanize their cavies.
But again, there was another category of people. 17 respondents (13%) said that they weren’t sure what they would do until they were actually in that situation.
Here’s the summary:
| Number of respondents | Percentage | Reason for Euthanasia |
| 78 | 64% | Irreversible medical condition |
| 68 | 56% | Intense pain and suffering |
| 32 | 26% | Old age |
| 18 | 14% | Accident |
| 17 | 13% | Not sure |
Quote: One pet parent had to euthanize one of his guinea pigs. The pig had an accident and broke her back. She couldn’t move her hind legs, so the parent decided that the kindest thing to do was put her down.
Some owners offered some of the tips they’d use to care for their guinea pigs in the last moments. They include:
- Lots of attention and care
- Possible pain medication
- Making them comfortable
- Offering favorite treats to try and entice them to eat.
- Syringe feeding
Others also gave tips on how they’d cope with the loss.
These tips include:
- Accept the death and the fact that they did their best to care for the guinea pig.
- Finding joy in their memory and looking back on fond experiences with them.
- Getting a new guinea pig.
- Giving an excellent send-off to their deceased pet.
- Spend more time with their remaining guinea pigs.
How Is A Guinea Pig Euthanized?
A guinea pig is euthanized with an injection that has a sedative. Basically, a larger amount of anesthesia is given to them to help them fall asleep first before dying. Some clinics will use a gas mask to give guinea pigs before the injection to help them be even calmer during the process.
Euthanasia can happen with a scheduled appointment. This can be so you have a last chance to take them home and spend a little time with them before they die. The decision to euthanize your guinea pig will be entirely your choice.
After talking to the vet about different options, you can then decide what is best for your cavy.
Would I Be Able To Be With My Guinea Pig While It’s Euthanized?
Some clinics will let you choose whether you can be with your piggie during euthanasia; others will just let you have some quiet time to say your last goodbyes before they euthanize your guinea pig behind closed doors.
Some clinics have ways of letting other clients know to be quiet and respectful while this happens. They light a candle in the front, or place a sign. Euthanasia happens quick and doesn’t hurt your guinea pig. Afterwards, some clinics offer cremation services for your fur baby.
Here’s some posts that you might find useful: What To Do When One Of A Pair of Guinea Pigs Dies (Find Out Now) and Why Do Guinea Pigs Die With Wide, Open Eyes? (Find Out Now)
Should I Let My Guinea Pig Die At Home?
If your guinea pig is in a lot of pain or has a very poor quality of life, you should have a vet euthanize them instead of letting them die at home.
Like I mentioned above, the option to keep your guinea pig at home while its dying might be best. This is if moving them would be more painful, stressful, and they are dying quickly.
In cases where they aren’t in pain and are dying of old age, crossing the rainbow bridge at home with you would be the most comfortable choice.
This post should be helpful for you: 5 Devastating Signs That Your Guinea Pig Is Dying Of Old Age
How Long Does It Take For A Dying Guinea Pig To Die?
How long it takes for a guinea pig to die depends on what they are dying from. Sudden heart attacks can cause sudden death. In cases of infections or illnesses, they die as their organs begin to shut down. This can happen slowly or it can happen quickly and be over before you even have time to get them to a vet.
There is no real way to know how long it can take for a guinea pig to die. To be on the safe side and save them from suffering, you should be ready to take them to the nearest vet. This is in case your cavy shows signs of pain, stress, and is taking a longer time to die – and suffering horribly.
Do Guinea Pigs Know When They’re Dying?
It’s likely that guinea pigs know when they’re dying. Guinea pigs seem to know that they aren’t feeling well and are sick. We know this because of the behavior they show. They try to hide their illness.
But, in their last moments, guinea pigs lose consciousness. They aren’t aware of what’s going on. When the body isn’t getting oxygen and multiple organs have shut down, they might twitch and flail their arms and legs but they’re no longer really awake.
Do your best to make their last moments as peaceful and comfortable as possible.
What Does A Guinea Pig Do When It’s Dying?
When guinea pigs die, they might hide in a corner and refuse to eat food – even syringe feeding. They’ll be weak and sluggish and won’t want to move. Sometimes they’ll lay on their sides and breath rapidly.
When guinea pigs lose consciousness, their bodies might still fight to stay alive, and they can twitch and flail. This is called “running to the rainbow bridge” and can be hard to watch – to say the least. This is the last stage of dying and shouldn’t last more than 15 to 20 minutes.
It’s helpful to remember that your cavy at this point is no longer really there. That way, it might be easier for you to let them go…or at least to see them go.
What Happens To A Guinea Pig’s Body After It Dies?
After your guinea pig dies, their body will start to stiffen up. This is because the muscles are no longer receiving oxygen and begin to die. The body will also become cold to the touch. All of these are natural processes that happen when an animal dies.
Final Thoughts
Losing a pet is a sad and heartbreaking event. As pet parent,s we have the responsibility to care and love these animals the best we can. This means helping them pass away.
Choosing to euthanize your guinea pig is a difficult decision. It’s up to you to make the best choice for your fur baby.
I hope this article gave you an idea of what you’ll face and help you make the final decisions for your fur baby. Thanks so much for reading and please feel free to share and help out another pet parent.