Why is my guinea pig slowing down?
If the only thing you have noticed in your guinea pig is weight loss, this can be caused by many things. Visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Causes of weight loss include dental problems, liver or kidney diseases, intestinal disease, endocrine disease, infection and toxins — just to name a few.
Is 4 a good age for a guinea pig?
6 months is the minimum recommended age for females to reproduce. 14 months is when they are considered adults and are fully grown. 4-8 years is the average age a guinea pig will live depending on health and genetics.
What age do guinea pigs slow down?
Guinea pigs tend to slow down as they reach four or five years of age. Aging guinea pigs may develop some of the same ailments or characteristics as aging humans. These include cataracts, stroke, heart attacks, arthritis, dementia and graying (guinea pigs may develop gray fur around the nose and mouth).
What is abnormal guinea pig behavior?
If your guinea pigs¿ behaviour changes or shows signs of stress/fear, seek advice from a vet or clinical animal behaviourist – they could be distressed, bored, ill or injured. Guinea pigs that are frightened/in pain may change their behaviour/develop unwanted habits e.g. aggression/hiding.
What do I do if my guinea pig is skinny?
For malnourished, sick, or underweight guinea pigs, you can temporarily offer alfalfa-based, instead of timothy hay-based, pellets. Both KMS and Oxbow have alfalfa-based versions used for younger animals. It can be helpful to add water and create a mush to encourage pigs with a poor appetite to eat.
When does a guinea pig show aggression towards its owner?
A guinea pig very rarely shows this type of aggression towards its owner but if it and when it does, it’s recommended to take a step back and leave it alone for the meantime. Most of the time, this behavior will be seen primarily between two guinea pigs. It usually happens when two males or two females meet for the first time.
When to separate a guinea pig from a sow?
That’s right, guinea pigs have no qualms about mating with their close relations. So it’s vital that you separate them for the health of the sows. Carrying a litter immediately after giving birth, or when you are a few weeks old yourself, is very risky.
What happens if a guinea pig has a stillborn baby?
And to ensure that you have enough funds saved up to get her veterinary attention if she seems in distress. When breeding animals, stillbirth is always a risk. Guinea pigs may have litters with one or more stillborn babies. In the worst case scenario it’s possible neither the babies or the mother will survive.
What happens if you pick up a guinea pig?
Guinea pigs are fragile animals that can be easily injured if handled improperly. Spinal injuries can result from guinea pigs being picked up incorrectly. Rough handling can also lead to broken bones and other injuries.
Why is my guinea pig so slow to die?
Some guinea pigs may have always been lazy; if yours is this way, then his slowness may not be a sign that he is nearing the end of his life. If your pet is overweight, his fatigue may be a result of this.
Why are guinea pigs so cute as babies?
They’re so itty bitty and adorable, and basically, they look the same as babies as they will when they’re adults. 4. Pigs get more excited to eat than college students do about free food. 5. They each have their own sassy (or not sassy, if that’s their thing) personalities.
What are the signs of an aging guinea pig?
Signs of aging include: Take note of slowness and fatigue. As your guinea pig ages (and especially in his last few weeks of life), he may become less agile and slower in his movements. Once he becomes unable to climb ramps or stand or walk around much, this is a sign that his body may be failing him. [4]
Which is the smallest guinea pig in the world?
Cavia intermedia is phylogenetically comparable, and said to be a common ancestor of the species Cavia magna, who also inhabited the island. The guinea pig’s geographical distribution of only 4 hectares (9.9 acres) is one of the world’s smallest for a mammal.
