It is always important to observe your guinea pigs for any signs of illness.
This includes checking your pet’s feces and urine for any abnormalities.
If you notice changes in your guinea pig’s urine, which is white or milky, this may cause concern.
But what causes white urine in guinea pigs?
When a guinea pig’s urine is white or milky, this indicates excessively high calcium or phosphorus levels. Milky urine in guinea pigs is also a sign of pyuria, an infection of the urinary tract. You will need to have your guinea pig’s urine examined by a veterinarian to determine the exact cause and treatment.
A veterinarian will prescribe your guinea pig antibiotics to clear the infection.
If the urine is white because of too much calcium or phosphorus, you will need to make some changes to your guinea pig’s diet..
Table of Contents
What Does Normal Guinea Pig Urine Look Like?
Normal guinea pig urine will be pale yellow or clear.
Young guinea pigs may also have an orange or brown tint to their urine, completely normal.
Cloudy or milky pee means your pet is excreting excess calcium or phosphorus deposits.
While white or milky urine is very common in guinea pigs and is not an immediate cause for panic, it is best to seek veterinary care if it is a frequent occurrence.
When your guinea pig’s pee is white due to excess calcium, the crystals may build up in the bladder and form a sludge.
Bladder sludge is a severe problem for the animal if left untreated, so it is essential not to delay a veterinary appointment.
Likewise, milky or white urine caused by a bladder infection may lead to complications such as cystitis, an inflammation of the bladder.
Cystitis is very painful for a guinea pig, and it could lead to death if not properly treated.
Urinary tract infections are prevalent in guinea pigs, especially females, due to their shorter urethras.
Since the urethra is also close to the anus, there is an increased risk of bacteria entering the urinary tract.
Common Guinea Pig Urine Colors And Their Meaning
Guinea pigs may produce several different colors of urine.
According to what the animal has been eating, the color may change throughout the day.
Using white litter or a pee pad will allow you to easily check the color of your guinea pig’s urine (click the link to read more about our article on this).
The most common urine colors in guinea pigs include clear, yellow, white, orange, brown, pink, and red.
In this section, we take a closer look at what causes each of these color changes to occur.
Clear or Yellow
Normal urine for a guinea pig will have a clear or yellow tint.
If the urine is slightly cloudy, there are small amounts of calcium present.
Clear urine may also mean your guinea pig is drinking too much water, which may cause kidney problems.
White
White, cloudy urine may also have a powdery or gritty texture.
When the urine is white, it means there is excessive calcium in your pet’s body, and you will need to make some changes to your guinea pig’s diet.
Gritty urine is a sign of a bladder or urinary tract infection.
Bladder stones or inflammation may develop when a urinary tract infection is not treated.
After a urinalysis, a veterinarian will prescribe the proper antibiotics to clear the infection.
Orange or Brown
Orange urine is very common in young guinea pigs, especially males.
It is caused by pigments known as porphyrins.
When these pigments are exposed to air, they will turn a dark brown.
Orange urine may also mean your guinea pig is dehydrated, especially if the animal is frequently urinating.
Pink
A pink or red tint to a guinea pig’s urine is usually related to its diet, especially if the urine stays pink or red once it has dried.
Foods such as tomatoes, bananas, beetroots, and carrots will cause pink urine in a guinea pig if fed excessively.
Monitor your guinea pig’s urine to see if the color persists, and evaluate what your pet has eaten recently.
Red
Red or dark urine indicates the presence of blood, and it will be a dark brown color when it has dried.
If you see dark red urine, seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
Female guinea pigs do not produce menstrual blood, and bloody urine is a sign of a serious infection or bladder stones.
Without quick and proper treatment, it could lead to your pet’s death.
How Do You Treat Milky Pee In Guinea Pigs?
If your guinea pig’s pee is milky, it is crucial to seek veterinary care to determine the exact cause.
The veterinarian will conduct a urinalysis to diagnose whether the milky pee is caused by a urinary tract infection or excess calcium or phosphorus.
Bladder stones may obstruct the urinary tract, and your guinea pig will need antibiotics or surgery to eliminate them.
Keeping your guinea pig hydrated will also help prevent bladder sludge and infections.
Your guinea pig’s urine will return to normal by following these steps.
Medication
If the diagnosis is a urinary tract infection, the vet will prescribe antibiotics for your pet.
Be sure to administer the antibiotics properly to clear the infection completely.
Improper antibiotic usage may also cause your guinea pig to develop a resistance to them, making it more challenging to treat future infections.
Surgery
Surgical treatment may be necessary in extreme cases of bladder stones to ensure the calculi are entirely removed.
Bladder lavage may be used in females with small calculi.
Dietary Changes
If an excess of calcium or phosphorus causes the milky urine, you will need to make changes to your guinea pig’s diet to reduce its calcium levels.
Remove any alfalfa pellets or hay from your guinea pig’s cage, as alfalfa contains high amounts of calcium.
Alfalfa hay is only helpful for young or pregnant guinea pigs and is unsuitable for an adult’s diet.
Replace the alfalfa with timothy hay, which may be safely fed to guinea pigs throughout the day.
Avoid feeding your guinea pigs calcium-rich vegetables and greens, such as spinach, kale, basil, or fennel.
For more info on guinea pig foods, check out our complete guide.
Physical Activity
Exercise will also help naturally reduce calcium levels in a guinea pig’s body.
Ensuring your pet gets adequate exercise throughout the day will allow the kidneys to be more efficient at filtering out calcium and reduce the risk of any internal damage.
Are Urinary Tract Infections Common in Guinea Pigs?
Unfortunately, urinary tract infections are very common in guinea pigs due to their anatomy.
Males and females are both susceptible to urinary tract infections and bladder issues.
Guinea pig pee is very alkaline, so bladder stones form more easily than animals with more acid urine.
Guinea pigs older than three years are more prone to urinary issues.
The main reason guinea pigs get urinary tract infections is because they have short urethras.
Since their urethras are close to the anus, there is more potential for bacteria to enter the urinary tract.
A guinea pig’s shorter legs also put their body closer to the ground and increase the risk of picking up unwanted bacteria from the floor of their enclosure.
It is important to know the signs of a urinary tract infection so you are able to seek veterinary care before serious damage is done to your guinea pig’s body.
Signs of Urinary Tract Infections in Guinea Pigs
Early symptoms of a urinary tract infection include thick or bloody urine.
Your guinea pig may cry out in pain when urinating or have difficulty producing urine.
The urine may come out very slowly or not at all.
Since guinea pigs typically urinate in the same place, check to see if your pet is peeing in random areas of the cage.
Your guinea pig may also stop eating if it suffers from a urinary tract infection or bladder stones.
The symptoms of a urinary tract infection coincide with bladder stones.
Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem by taking a urine sample and an x-ray.
Preventing Urinary Issues In Guinea Pigs
Urinary problems cause a guinea pig a lot of discomfort and stress.
These issues are easily prevented with a few easy steps to keep your guinea pig happy and healthy.
Healthy Diet
Feeding your guinea pig a high-fiber diet will lower its risk for a urinary tract infection.
Avoid feeding your guinea pig a high-calcium diet or excessive vitamins.
While vitamin supplements may seem like a good idea, too much of anything may be harmful.
Aim for a balanced diet to ensure your guinea pig receives the correct amount of essential nutrients.
It is also important to avoid overfeeding your guinea pig to prevent obesity.
Obese guinea pigs are less active, and their kidneys will not remove waste and excess nutrients.
Proper Hydration
A dehydrated guinea pig is at a much higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection or bladder stone issues.
When the animal is dehydrated, it cannot urinate to remove harmful substances from its body.
Incomplete or reduced urination will cause the development of calculi or crystals.
A clinical sign of dehydration or infection is foul-smelling urine.
Monitor your guinea pig’s water intake and always provide your pet with fresh, clean water throughout the day.
Check out our definitive answer to how long guinea pigs can go without water.
Avoid Creating Stress for the Guinea Pig
Keep your guinea pig in a calm environment and avoid sudden changes in its daily routine.
A stressed guinea pig will have a weakened immune system and be more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
Stress may also prevent a guinea pig from eating or drinking properly, causing malnutrition and dehydration.
Keep the Guinea Pig Habitat Clean
Cleaning your guinea pig’s enclosure is the most critical step in preventing harmful bacteria from causing urinary tract problems.
Dirty cages are breeding grounds for various harmful bacteria, so it is crucial to have a clean cage at all times.
Cage cleaning needs to be a part of your routine in caring for your guinea pig.
It is crucial to spot clean the cage and remove waste and soiled areas of disposable bedding every day, so your pet does not accidentally become soiled from its litter or uneaten food.
Wash water bottles and food dishes frequently to avoid bacteria buildup, and always ensure your guinea pig has fresh water and food.
Once per month, perform a deep cleaning of the cage.
Remove everything and disinfect the cage and any accessories with a diluted white vinegar and water solution.
Once the enclosure is thoroughly dry, supply your guinea pig with fresh bedding and litter.
In the Clear: Understanding White Guinea Pig Urine
Guinea pig pee can be of different colors. It can be pale yellow, orange, pink, red, and white.
Some of these are normal, like pale yellow, orange, and pink, while others are a cause of concern.
White guinea pig pee is a result of a high calcium and phosphorus diet. If you spot a puddle of white and gritty pee in your piggy’s cage, it’s a sign your pet needs a diet change.
Too much calcium can be bad for your guinea pig’s bladder.
Thanks to this article, you now know what you can do to treat milky white guinea pig pee.
Did you find the details in this article helpful?
At Oddly Cute Pets, we are dedicated to creating educational content about small pets, like guinea pigs, chinchillas, and hamsters. If you have either of these tiny creatures and want to learn how to care for them, check out our website for more articles and resources.
Thanks for reading.
