Small Pet Health
Guinea Pig Mites — UK Treatment Guide
Published Last updated 3 min read
Quick answer
Mange mites (Trixacarus caviae) burrow into a guinea pig's skin, causing intense itching, bald patches and scabs — and in severe cases seizure-like scratching fits that are an emergency. There is no safe home cure: your vet prescribes anti-parasitic treatment and tells you how to decontaminate the cage.
Key takeaways
- Intense scratching, hair loss, scabs and crusty or flaky skin — often starting on the back and shoulders. Severe infestations can trigger seizure-like scratching fits, which are an emergency.
- Guinea pig mites are species-specific and don't live on people, though brief contact may cause mild, temporary skin irritation in some. Wash your hands after handling an itchy pig.
- No. Mange mites burrow into the skin and infestations worsen without treatment. Your vet will prescribe an anti-parasitic such as ivermectin or selamectin and advise whether companions need treating too.
The mites that affect guinea pigs
| Mite | Behaviour | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Mange mite (Trixacarus caviae) | Burrows into the skin | Severe itching, hair loss, scabs; can trigger seizure-like fits |
| Static/fur mite (Chirodiscoides caviae) | Lives on the hair and skin surface | Often mild or unnoticed; flares when the pig is run down |
According to the PDSA, skin problems in guinea pigs — including mites, infections and ringworm — are uncomfortable or painful, and tend to get worse over time, so even mild signs deserve attention.
Symptoms
- Intense scratching — the standout sign of mange mites
- Hair loss and bald patches, often starting on the back and shoulders
- Scabs, crusts and flaky skin; red, sore areas
- Thickened, damaged skin in long-standing cases
- Weight loss and misery — severe infestations stop them eating properly
The PDSA also lists the general signs of skin conditions to watch for: bald patches, sore red flaky skin, lots of scratching or over-grooming, scabs and crusty skin, black specks in the fur, and visible insects.
When scratching becomes an emergency
Severe Trixacarus infestations are so irritating that guinea pigs can have seizure-like episodes — falling onto their sides and thrashing as they try to scratch. If your guinea pig does this, see a vet immediately, the same day. Fitting pigs can injure themselves, and the infestation driving it is advanced.
Diagnosis and vet treatment
Your vet will usually examine the skin and may take a skin scraping to look for mites under the microscope. Treatment is then prescribed — typically an anti-parasitic medicine such as ivermectin or selamectin, given as a course:
- Never dose these yourself — they must be calculated precisely for your guinea pig's weight, and your vet will set the schedule
- Treat every guinea pig in the household as directed — mites spread between pigs
- Never use shop-bought dog or cat spot-ons — products safe for other species can harm guinea pigs
- Any secondary skin infection from scratching may need treatment too
Cleaning and prevention
- Deep-clean and disinfect the enclosure when treatment starts; replace all bedding
- Keep bedding and hay clean, dry and dust-free — the PDSA notes clean housing is the easiest way to prevent skin issues
- Check new guinea pigs before introducing them to your herd, and keep them separate until any skin problem is resolved — the PDSA advises they can still see each other from a safe distance
- Weekly health checks — part the fur and look at the skin, especially on long-haired pigs
- Feed a good diet with daily vitamin C — healthy pigs resist flare-ups better; see Guinea pig vitamin C
For everyday care and housing, see Guinea pig care UK.
Sources & further reading
Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.
PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-07-18).
- Guinea Pig Vitamin C — UK Scurvy Guide
- Guinea Pig Care in the UK
- Guinea Pig Bloat — UK Emergency Guide
- Ferret Adrenal Disease — UK Vet Guide
- Ferret Care in the UK
- Gerbil Care in the UK
- Guinea Pig Heatstroke UK
- Guinea Pig Winter Care UK — Keeping Cavies Warm
Also see symptoms, symptom checker, and poison guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if my guinea pig has mites?
- Intense scratching, hair loss, scabs and crusty or flaky skin — often starting on the back and shoulders. Severe infestations can trigger seizure-like scratching fits, which are an emergency.
- Can humans catch guinea pig mites?
- Guinea pig mites are species-specific and don't live on people, though brief contact may cause mild, temporary skin irritation in some. Wash your hands after handling an itchy pig.
- Will guinea pig mites go away on their own?
- No. Mange mites burrow into the skin and infestations worsen without treatment. Your vet will prescribe an anti-parasitic such as ivermectin or selamectin and advise whether companions need treating too.
- Can I use dog or cat flea treatment on my guinea pig?
- Never use shop-bought dog or cat spot-ons — some are dangerous for guinea pigs. Only use parasite treatment prescribed by your vet, dosed precisely to your guinea pig's weight.
- Do I need to treat the cage too?
- Yes. Mites can persist in bedding and hay, so deep-clean and disinfect the enclosure, replace bedding, and treat every guinea pig in the household as your vet directs.