Content
- My guinea pig doesn't want to eat - mouth problems
- Guinea pig does not eat due to respiratory problems
- Lack of appetite in guinea pig due to digestive problems
- lack of vitamin c
- Emotional factors
- The importance of feeding the guinea pig
The guinea pigs (cavia porcellus) are small rodent mammals that have been very popular as pets for decades. For your health it is essential to offer a balanced diet and therefore it is urgent to consult our usual veterinarian if we notice that our piglet is not eating.
Precisely, in this article by PeritoAnimal, we will talk about causes that may explain the guinea pigs' lack of appetite, what your diet should be like and what you should do to resolve your lack of appetite. If you love guinea pigs but your pig doesn't eat, read on!
My guinea pig doesn't want to eat - mouth problems
The pigs' teeth are in permanent growth. For this reason, it is very important that they wear their teeth with the help of food. Sometimes, this wear does not occur and this gives rise to oral problems that, in addition to affecting the teeth themselves, can cause injuries and infections, as well as tartar.
The pain he feels when feeding is responsible for our little pig's lack of appetite. In these cases, we will see that the pig does not eat (or hay) and also does not drink. It's a reason for a quick trip to the vet because, without eating or drinking, our guinea pig can become dehydrated very quickly.
The solution is usually a teeth sanding (always done by the veterinarian), if this is the cause, and a treatment based on antibiotics to fight the infection and analgesics to avoid the pain. If we follow our veterinarian's instructions and there are no complications, our piglet will soon be eating normally.
Guinea pig does not eat due to respiratory problems
In some cases, we can see that the pig does not eat, drink or move. He may be going through a breathing process, like pneumonia. Sometimes, if we look closely, we can see a watery discharge from their nostrils and eyes. This is also a veterinary emergency.
Respiratory problems do not always have an infectious origin. Pigs can also develop tumors, such as adenocarcinoma, which are detected on x-rays or ultrasounds and produce pneumonia-like symptoms. This type of tumor is quite common in guinea pigs over three years of age. At this point, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of going to a veterinarian specialized in these animals, since there are considerable differences with other more habitual patients, such as dogs and cats.
Depending on the test results, the veterinarian will establish the appropriate treatment. Furthermore, as the guinea pig does not eat when it feels discomfort, it is very important to keep it hydrated, helping it to drink and feed.
Lack of appetite in guinea pig due to digestive problems
Another cause that can explain why guinea pigs do not eat or drink is in their digestive system, and at this point it is important to emphasize again how essential a correct diet is. Do not offer the pig food that can cause digestive discomfort that manifests itself, for example, as gases or obstructions.
Our piglet does not eat and, in addition, we can notice the inflamed or hardened abdomen. In this situation, pain can also be seen by touch or with simple management. It is a reason for a veterinary consultation so that the professional can determine the cause of the problem. Sometimes a foreign body is responsible for causing an obstruction. With an x-ray or ultrasound, we can determine the reason and treat it with medication or intervention.
lack of vitamin c
This deficiency causes a disease known as scurvy. Guinea pigs, like humans, are not able to produce this vitamin in their body, so they need to ingest it through food. Therefore, it is essential to know the list of fruits and vegetables recommended for guinea pigs.
If our piglet does not consume enough vitamin C in its food and does not supplement it, it can develop this disease. Vitamin C is related to the synthesis of collagen, which is a protein involved in the formation of bones, cartilage and connective tissue (skin, ligaments, tendons, etc.). Thus, its lack will manifest itself in the appearance of the following problems:
- Dermatological, such as skin color change or hair loss.
- Weakness of teeth, which can even fall out on their own.
- Anemia.
- Digestive problems.
- Bleeding, bleeding from the gums being characteristic.
- Worse immune system response.
- Fragility of bones.
- Reduced appetite, the pig does not eat and, as a result, we will observe that it loses weight.
- Lethargy, the pig doesn't move.
- Lameness or imbalance when walking.
- Abnormal stools.
Any of these symptoms is a reason for veterinary consultation and, in addition to treating them, the solution is to improve the diet by establishing an adequate daily amount of vitamin C.
Emotional factors
In addition to the physical aspects we discussed in the previous sections, we can find guinea pigs that do not eat, drink or move for reasons. like stress or sadness. These animals are very sensitive to changes and, if they occur, can affect them to the point of loss of appetite and mood.
As we have already highlighted on several occasions, it is very important that our piglet eats and drinks because, if he does not, he can dehydrate quickly, hence the importance of going to the veterinary clinic without delay. If this is the problem, we should look to our friend and come up with improvements that encourage him, such as more attention, companionship, other foods, a bigger and/or cleaner bed, etc.
The importance of feeding the guinea pig
Throughout the previous sections, we've seen the importance of paying attention to a pig that doesn't eat and sometimes doesn't drink or move, as this could be behind a serious pathology. Also, as we've already highlighted, it will be crucial to help our piggy stay hydrated and nourished.
To do this we can managewater with a syringe, always little by little and in the corner of the mouth, in the cavity behind the teeth, to avoid suffocation. As for food, we can encourage him to eat by offering him a porridge or baby food, also administered in a syringe (we can add water to make this food more liquid).
Of course, we should consult our veterinarian to ensure that the composition of these foods is optimal. Once our piglet goes back to eating, his diet should be rich in fiber to help you use your teeth and, at the same time, promote intestinal transit. Don't forget that guinea pigs are completely herbivores. A correct diet should contain the following foods, expressed in approximate percentages:
- Between 75 and 80% hay. It has to be their main food (it must always be available and fresh).
- Maximum 20% feed (specific for guinea pigs!).
- From 5 to 15% of vegetables, it is very important that they are rich in vitamin C (such as spinach, cabbage or parsley).
- Occasional consumption (reward only) of fruits and cereals. These foods should not be administered daily.
- Vitamin C supplement (ascorbic acid) at the dose recommended by the veterinarian.
This would be a model diet for adult guinea pigs. For piglets less than six months old or pregnant females, it is necessary to adjust it, as nutritional needs change.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.