500 pets to get ‘Piggy MOT’ in nationwide initiative

On Friday 30th October, during Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW), guinea pig owners, veterinary teams, charities and rescues 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 comes as new research from the Small Animal Census by Burgess Excel 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.

Running from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October, Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW) 2026 will champion the theme 'Happy, Healthy Guinea Pigs', encouraging owners to take a more proactive approach to their small animal’s wellbeing.

At the heart of this year's campaign is the Big Pig Health Check, a nationwide challenge calling on guinea pig owners, veterinary teams, charities and rescues to help 500 guinea pigs receive a simple five-minute 'Piggy MOT' on Friday 30th October.

The challenge has been launched to encourage more regular health checks and help owners spot potential problems early, as guinea pigs are particularly skilled at hiding signs of illness. As prey animals, they often mask symptoms until they become more serious, meaning subtle changes in behaviour, appetite, weight or daily habits can be some of the first signs that veterinary attention may be needed.

Anyone who signs up to take part will receive a free guide explaining how to carry out a Piggy MOT at home. Taking just a few minutes, it is designed to help owners become more familiar with what is normal for their guinea pigs while building confidence in identifying potential concerns.

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."

To support participants, Guinea Pig Awareness Week is also partnering with veterinary influencer Cat the Vet, who will share practical advice and demonstrations across social media to help owners carry out a Piggy MOT with confidence.

By bringing together owners, rescues and veterinary professionals to complete 500 health checks in a single day, the Big Pig Health Check aims to show just how easy it can be to monitor guinea pig health and how small actions can make a big difference. The campaign hopes to encourage more people to carry out regular checks, seek veterinary support when needed and ultimately help guinea pigs live longer, healthier lives.

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."

The Big Pig Health Check is open to anyone who cares for guinea pigs, including owners, veterinary teams, charities and rescues.