Fleas are parasites that affect a lot of pets. They can really cause problems in the fur of animals such as cats and dogs. They can even affect humans!

When they get in amongst the fur of the animal, they can cause immense irritation for them and concern for the owner.

Fleas are dark brown tiny parasitic insects that have an ability to jump up to 150 times their own length. This allows them to jump between hosts and the surrounding environment.

So can guinea pigs get fleas?

Yes they can unfortunately. Even guinea pigs are not immune from getting fleas.

How do they catch fleas?

Fleas can be passed from other animals sources, so if an animal brings them into the house and passes them on to the guinea pig.

They can also be passed from objects where they can lie dormant on until they see something they can jump onto to feed from.

Fleas need something to feed from. Their eggs can remain dormant for a very long period of time under a variety of conditions such as in your carpet, furniture or even in your garden until they are able to latch onto something.

How do i know whether my guinea pig has fleas?

You can tell if your piggy has fleas if you see them scratching and they seem quite irritated.

You can look closely at their fur and pick out adult fleas amongst their coat or at the base of the fur on the skin.

There may even be flea dirt which looks quite like small black spots of grit. This is actually digested dried blood!

What problems can fleas cause guinea pigs?

Fleas can cause a number of issues in guinea pigs. They are the top cause of of skin disease  in piggies which can cause great problems for them.

They can also cause weeping sores, itchiness, strong smell and scaly skin.

Some animals are even allergic to flea bites which is a condition known as ‘Flea allergy dermititis.’

What can I do to treat my flea-ridden guinea pig?

The best thing to do is to take them to a veterinary surgeon to be examined. They will be able to prescribe a course of action and medication to treat the issue.

How can I ensure that my guinea pig doesn’t get fleas?

The best way to stop a guinea pig getting fleas is to keep their home clean and ensure that other pets in your house aren’t carrying fleas as well.

Make sure to examine their coat on a regular basis to ensure that it is flea free.