In recent years, cases of stray and abandoned guinea pigs have sadly become more common. Whether you are in a situation where you have spotted one while out on a walk, discovered one left behind in a recently vacated apartment, or noticed one huddled near a dumpster-- We are here to help!
Guinea pigs are gentle, domestic animals that cannot survive on their own outdoors or in unsafe conditions. If you've found one and aren’t sure what to do next, this guide is here to walk you through the essential steps — from safely securing the guinea pig to getting the right care and contacting the appropriate resources (like us!).
Let’s dive into how you can make a real difference in a little life that needs it most.
Table of content
Safely Capturing the Guinea Pig(s)
The very first step in helping a stray or abandoned guinea pig that is out on the loose, is safely capturing it. There are two main ways to approach this:
- Contact a local rescue (like us!) – If you're unsure, uncomfortable, or unable to catch the guinea pig yourself, reaching out to a local rescue for assistance is a great first move. Many rescues have experience and tools to help safely capture small animals without causing them stress or injury.
- Catch the guinea pig yourself – If you're confident and able to do so safely, you can try to gently catch the guinea pig and bring them to a rescue or vet for help.
If you have decided to go ahead and capture the Guinea Pig(s) yourself. There are several great options to safely capture a Guinea Pig.
Option 1: A Piece of Fabric
If the guinea pig you’ve found isn’t moving much, appears lethargic, or isn’t trying to run away, the safest and simplest way to capture them is by using a large piece of fabric. This could be anything available to you — a towel, t-shirt, jacket, or even a blanket. Slowly and calmly approach the guinea pig, then gently drape the fabric over their body. Once covered, you can scoop them up while keeping them wrapped to prevent sudden movements that might startle them.
It’s important not to immediately stand up with the guinea pig in your hands. Take a moment to feel where they are inside the fabric and ensure all four of their feet are fully supported. Guinea pigs can be skittish and may try to jump if they feel unstable or scared. Make sure they’re securely wrapped — snug enough that they can’t wriggle free or jump out, but loose enough to allow them to breathe comfortably.
Once secure, you can slowly get up and gently transfer them into a box or container with high sides. Lining the bottom with a soft towel or blanket will help them feel safer during the trip to safety.
Option 2: Trap
If the guinea pig is very active, alert, and avoiding being captured, you may need to use a more patient approach — setting a humane trap. In these situations, it’s helpful to have someone stay nearby to keep eyes on the guinea pig while you gather a few supplies.
Head out and pick up some fresh vegetables to use as bait — green leaf lettuce or cucumber work best, as they’re not only appealing but also provide hydration. For the trap itself, you have a couple of options: you can create a simple box trap with a pull string, or visit your local feed or hardware store and pick up a humane squirrel trap, which is usually small and safe enough for guinea pigs.
Keep in mind, this method may take some time. Guinea pigs are naturally cautious, especially when frightened, so patience is key. Sit nearby at a distance, stay quiet, and allow the guinea pig to approach the food at their own pace.
Option 3: A net
In some cases, especially when a guinea pig is darting around or hiding in a wide-open area, using a net can be an effective way to safely capture them from a distance. A lightweight net with a wide opening, a Fabric net without any holes works best.
Once you're able to gently place the net over the guinea pig, be sure to have someone hold the net down securely to prevent it from moving or tipping — guinea pigs can be quick and determined when trying to escape.
With the net held steady, carefully lift a portion of it to reach in and gently pick up the guinea pig, either with a towel or your hands, ensuring that their body is fully supported. Once they're secure, transfer them to a safe container or carrier lined with soft fabric. Be gentle and patient — your calm presence makes a big difference during this process.
What to feed the Guinea Pig(s)?
Chances are, the guinea pig you've found has been lost for several hours — or even days, sometimes longer. That means one of the most important things you can do right away is offer food. Even if a rescue is on their way to pick them up within a few hours, giving the guinea pig something to eat as soon as possible is crucial for their health.
Guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems and need to eat regularly to keep things moving properly. If they go too long without food, they’re at risk of developing GI stasis, a potentially life-threatening condition where the digestive system slows down or stops entirely. This can happen in just a matter of hours, especially if they were already malnourished before being found.
What should you offer them?
- Hay: Guinea Pigs are like cows and constantly have to be grazing all day long. Typically Hay consists of 90% of a guinea pigs diet. If it is within your means, stop by a store and find a bag of Timothy or Orchard Grass hay to feed this newly found piggy. You can find Hay at almost any local grocery store's pet isle or you can find it at any feed or pet store.
- Vegetables: Guinea pig's that are found, whether it be outside or indoors, are typically dehydrated upon discovery. While it's essential to offer them water, another important source of hydration is vegetables. Some hydrating option's you can offer to them are: Cucumber, Belle peppers, Green Leaf Lettuce & Romain lettuce. Try to avoid giving them too many option's as, if its been a long time since they've eaten, it may cause an upset stomach.
- Pellets: If you are able to stop by a pet store, pellets are a great option to giving a guinea pig its much needed nutrition. We recommend any feed from the brands Oxbow, Small Pet's Select, Sherwood or Science Selective. If they don't have those make sure to pick a bag of pellets without any colorful additives.
- Grass: Maybe it's nighttime or it's currently just beyond your means to spend money on this lost guinea pig you have found. Although it is essential they eat something you don't have to spend money. If you are in an area with grass that is untreated with no pesticides, it is safe to offer them grass from outside.
- More Free Options?: If you are limited on funds, plain grass is thankfully not your only option available to you. If you stop by your local grocery store, often times you can ask if you can take the leftover corn husk's left behind to give to an abandoned guinea pig, This can be a fast and often free snack you'll be able to offer them. Another option is to ask for help on getting the piggy supplies! Many local community members are usually more than willing to help or you can look for a "helping guinea pig's in need" group for your area online, where there is often a community of people more than willing to help send you much needed essentials by mail.
Toxic food list
Before offering food to a found guinea pig, take time to learn which foods are safe—and which can be toxic. Guinea pigs have very sensitive digestive systems, and some common fruits, vegetables, and household plants can be harmful or even deadly to them.
General First Aid
Depending on the condition of the guinea pig you’ve found, it may be essential to get them to a vet or rescue as soon as possible. Some health issues can quickly become life-threatening if not treated, while others may be stable enough to wait until you’re able to connect with a rescue or veterinary professional.
That’s why it’s important to know how to identify signs that need urgent attention versus those that can be monitored for a short time. Even if you plan to keep the guinea pig yourself, recognizing these signs early on is still incredibly important for their well-being.
Here are a few common condition's our rescue typically see's in found or abandoned Guinea Pigs that you may want to look for
Not Eating
One of the most alarming issues we encounter with found guinea pigs is a sudden loss of appetite—or worse, when they stop eating entirely. While it might seem like a minor concern at first, it’s actually a potentially life-threatening situation.
Guinea pigs, much like cows, are grazing animals. Their digestive systems are designed to be in constant motion, meaning they need a steady intake of hay and fresh vegetables throughout the day. When a guinea pig stops eating, their gut can quickly slow down or even shut down, leading to a dangerous condition called GI stasis.
It's not uncommon for a guinea pig to be scared or unsettled in a new environment—especially after being rescued or found outdoors. In some cases, this stress may cause them to eat less. However, they should never stop eating entirely. If your guinea pig seems anxious, try covering part of their cage with a blanket to create a sense of safety and reduce external stressors.
If the guinea pig still refuses to eat, you can try offering Critical Care (a high-fiber recovery food made specifically for herbivores, available at most pet stores or veterinary clinics). Offer it using a small syringe if necessary, but always be gentle and avoid force-feeding too aggressively.
If it has been a few hours and the guinea pig has not eaten or pooped and showing signs of lethargy, bloating, or a puffy appearance. Do not wait. Contact an exotic vet or emergency animal clinic as soon as possible. Guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly without proper intervention.
Respiratory Infection
One of the most common health issues seen in stray or abandoned guinea pigs is respiratory infection. These can develop quickly, especially if the guinea pig has been exposed to cold, damp environments, stress, or poor nutrition — all of which are common in abandonment cases.
Start by checking their nose. It should be clean and dry — no signs of wetness, crustiness, or discharge. Frequent sneezing or labored breathing can also be warning signs that something’s wrong.
Another spot to examine is their front paws. Guinea pigs will often wipe their noses with their paws when they have a runny nose, so if you notice crusty or matted fur on their feet, it could be a sign they’ve been dealing with a respiratory issue for some time.
If you spot any of these symptoms, it’s best to contact a vet or rescue as soon as possible. Respiratory infections can worsen quickly without proper treatment, but they are treatable when caught early.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is another possible condition to keep in mind—especially if you’ve found a female guinea pig and don’t know her background. It’s hard to know what kind of environment she came from or if she’s been in contact with males. Unfortunately, accidental or backyard breeding is not uncommon.
Guinea pigs have a gestation period of around 59 to 72 days, and they often don’t show visible signs of pregnancy until later stages. If she starts to gain weight quickly, becomes pear-shaped, or you feel subtle movements in her belly, she may be expecting.
Scurvy
Scurvy is another condition we see all too often in rescued guinea pigs. It’s caused by a lack of vitamin C, which their bodies can’t produce on their own. If a guinea pig hasn’t had access to proper food for a while, they’re especially at risk.
A few signs to look out for are a hunched back, stiff movement, or a reluctance to use their back legs. These symptoms can be subtle at first, but they’re important to catch early.
Fortunately, Scurvy is usually easily treatable with the right diet and care. Offer vitamin C-rich vegetables and Vitamin C supplements like Oxbow Natural select Vitamin C tablets (Our Guinea pigs Favorite!)
Avoid vitamin C drops in their water. These can alter the taste of the water, leading some guinea pigs to stop drinking altogether, which can quickly create even more serious issues like dehydration.
Mites & Lice
If you notice hair loss on the guinea pig, there's a strong chance they may be dealing with mites or lice — a very common issue in guinea pigs that have been abandoned or living outdoors. While the word lice might sound alarming, don’t worry: these are species-specific parasites, meaning they cannot be transmitted to humans.Some signs to look out for include:
- Itching or frequent scratching
- Bald patches, especially in a V-shape on the middle of the back
- Dandruff-like skin flaking or crusty, irritated areas
- Overall thinning of the fur
Mites and lice can be extremely uncomfortable and even painful for guinea pigs, so it's important to act quickly. Do not attempt to treat this on your own, as certain medications can be dangerous in incorrect doses. Speak to a veterinarian about appropriate treatments — most often, they will recommend Ivermectin or Puppy Revolution
Eye Injuries
While not as common, injuries to a guinea pig’s eye can occur and may vary greatly in severity — from mild cloudiness to the eye being completely missing. When examining a guinea pig’s eyes, ensure they are clear, slightly protruding, and symmetrical in size and shape.
Please Note: Guinea Pigs do produce a milky ocular discharge that is normal for their eyes to discrete during the grooming process to help them clean their faces. If the guinea pig you have found has a milky fluid in it's eye it is typically not cause for concern unless it persists.
Abnormal signs an eye may need medical attention:
- Eyes are crusty
- Eyes are watery or weeping
- Eyes are cloudy with a white, grey or blue sheen
- One eye or both or protruding abnormally
- Enlarged eye
- Ulcerated eye
- Eye is receding
For more information on eye health take a look at GuineaLynx Medical page on eyes
Want to know what else to look for?
We only covered a few essential conditions to know about but there is so much more! See GuineaLynx Medical Page for even more information.
How to tell their gender
Determining the gender of a guinea pig can be surprisingly difficult—especially in babies. Unlike some animals, guinea pigs have internal genitalia, which can make telling males and females apart a bit confusing without experience.
Below is a wonderful guide on how to tell a guinea pig's sex!
Finding their owner
If you’ve found a guinea pig, your first step—after ensuring they’re safe and cared for—is to try and locate their owner. Many guinea pigs escape by accident, though sadly, some are intentionally abandoned. To start looking for an owner you can start by posting online on local Facebook groups, Community boards like next-door or Lost-and-found pet websites like Pawboost or Guinea Pig Finder.
You can also make posters and put them around your neighborhood, especially near where the guinea pig was found. You can even visit local veterinary clinics or pet stores to see if they will let you put up a found poster.
However, be cautious when someone comes forward claiming to be the owner. Always ask for proof of ownership, such as:
- Photos of the guinea pig (ideally with timestamps)
- Descriptions of distinguishing features (markings, behavior, etc.)
- Knowledge of what gender they are
Sadly, some people seek out “free” guinea pigs for unethical reasons, including using them as feeder animals. Always prioritize the guinea pig’s safety.
Keep in mind: If no one comes forward, it's possible the guinea pig was dumped. This is sadly common, and guinea pigs aren’t equipped to survive outdoors alone. In many cases, no one will come looking for them. If this is the case you have two options:
- Contact a reputable small animal rescue, who can take over the search for an owner or find the guinea pig a forever home.
- After fulfilling any local requirements for holding a found pet (often 5–7 days), you may choose to adopt the guinea pig yourself and give them a safe, loving home.
Surrendering to a rescue
If no one comes forward to claim the guinea pig, and you're unable to keep them, you may choose to surrender them to a rescue. Whenever possible, reach out to a guinea pig-specific or small animal rescue first. These rescues are often better equipped to:
- Provide proper, species-specific care
- Address medical needs that cat/dog shelters may not have knowledge of
- Match them with a knowledgeable, loving adopter
💡 Even if the rescue says they’re full, it’s still worth reaching out. Some organizations reserve space specifically for emergencies—like abandonment, outdoor dumps, or injured animals. They may also have a waitlist, foster network, or know of another rescue with space.
If no guinea pig rescues are available, your next step can be to contact a local animal shelter or humane society. Be sure to ask whether they’re familiar with guinea pig care, and if they work with small animal rescues for transfers or adoptions.
Adopting the guinea pig into your family
If you’ve been caring for this lost guinea pig, there’s a good chance you’ve already fallen in love & want to welcome them into your forever family!
There is a lot to learn when bringing a new pet into your life! But don't worry-- we have you covered!
Check out our other helpful guides to prepare yourself for life with your new little companion, from housing and diet to bonding tips and medical care. Your new furry friend is lucky to have found you. 💛
