I recently bought 2 young male guinea pigs. They were just a few weeks old when I got them. I've had them for about 4 weeks. They've been growing like weeds! Eating a ton of timothy hay, pellets, and fresh foods like oranges and leafy greens. I changed their cage less than a week ago. We hold them every day and they are quite tame. Last night, the one who died was up on his box and when I went over, I put my nose to the cage and he put his nose on mine. This morning, they were fine. We held them and fed them. Tonight, I went to hold them again, the one was squeaking quite loudly. I reached in the box only to touch a cold guinea pig. :( I'm totally devastated. He was stretched out, laying on his side, cold, except for his abdomen was slightly warmer. I think he only died recently. He had no blood or marks on him. What could have happened?

When you fed them leafy greens, did that include lettuce? pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
The reason I ask is lettuce is one leafy green that can seriously disrupt the digestive system of many rodents, including Guinea Pigs.
The only other thing I can think of is maybe he fell and had an internal bleed.
Granted, I'm not a Guinea Pig expert, I have more experience with rats and hamsters.
I'm sorry about your piggie! :(

^Highly doubt it was lettuce. I've been feeding my guinea pigs romaine lettuce for almost 4 years and it's never caused any issues. It's only really iceberg lettuce that can be harmful because there is too much water, diarrhea may occur.

Anyways, did you ever notice any wheezing or sneezing from the pigs? I bought two males from Petco last year and one of the boys I noticed was sneezing a lot. I tried to kind of ignore it but I took him to the vet and he had a URI. Those are really common in young guinea pigs, ESPECIALLY at pet stores. They are also deadly if you don't get them treated, and quickly. They have to get on antibiotics. Luckily, both my boys are still happy and healthy today...but they could have died if I ignored the signs. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
May have also been bloat. What kind of greens did you give them? Cabbage is deadly if you feed more then a few leaves to a baby pig. Kale can easily cause bloat too. However, it is no use dwelling on what you could have done. It certainly won't bring your pigs back.


I'm really sorry. Totally know what you're going through. My dog of nine years passed away about a month ago due to blood clot induced by her broken leg. It had been one of the hardest things I've ever faced.

What did u line their cage with? My friend lined her guinea pigs caged with news paper and they both died from them eating it. The ink made them sick I think...

Some times animals can't make the change from different homes. He could of got an illness from any one who held him. And I would clean the cage again bc the same thing happens to me but I had five rabbits and the next day the last four died. :( sorry.