How do I get my guinea pig to drink?
Guinea pigs drink a lot of water and need the bottles cleaned and fresh water added daily. It is recommended that you have more than 1 water bottle in the cage. Do not put anything but water in the bottles. Do not put vitamin C drops in the water.
How much water should a guinea pig drink in a day?
Guinea pigs normally drink about 100 mL/kg (3.3 ounces/2.2 pounds) of water daily, as cited in the book “Ferrets, Rabbits, And Rodents Clinical Medicine And Surgery.” This amount might increase or decrease slightly because of ambient temperature or humidity, activity level, or illness.
How can I tell if my guinea pig is dehydrated?
Your guinea pig may be dehydrated if you see any of these problems: thick sticky saliva, crusty eyes, poor appetite, small amounts of dark colored urine, or hard dry fecal pellets. In order to correct dehydration, extra water must be given to your guinea pig.
What do I do if my guinea pig wont eat or drink?
Your guinea pig should receive immediate medical attention if you suspect ileus, so it can get a diagnosis and be prescribed the proper medications. Ileus can be caused secondarily by an underlying illness or stressor which, in turn, causes your guinea pig to stop eating.
Can guinea pigs get sick from dirty cages?
Pododermatitis, or bumblefoot, in which sores develop on the bottom of the feet from pressure, is common in guinea pigs. It occurs most often in overweight animals housed on wire-bottomed or dirty cages that abrade the feet, making them susceptible to chronic, deep bacterial infection that causes lameness and pain.
What is the most common cause of death in guinea pigs?
Pneumonia
How can you tell if your guinea pig is dying?
Abnormal breathing (e.g. rapid, shallow, raspy) Discharge from the nose and eyes and/or sneezing. Bulging or sunken eyes. Hair loss or change in hair coat.
How can you tell if your guinea pig is in pain?
How do guinea pigs show that they are in pain?
- Grinding teeth.
- Reluctance to move.
- Shivers or quivers.
- Sits hunched, with hair spiky.
- Squealing or excessive noise.
- Not eating or drinking.
- Shallow, rapid breathing.
Why guinea pig died suddenly?
Respiratory illnesses, especially pneumonia, strike guinea pigs hard. Adenovirus, an illness that doesn’t always directly cause death, can lead to pneumonia as the guinea pig’s immune system weakens. Guinea pigs also can suffer a stroke or heart attack at any age, often for no apparent reason.
Do guinea pigs love their owners?
Guinea pigs generally enjoy the company of their fellow cavies. Although it is not a good idea to house too many of them in one cage, most guinea pigs appreciate having a companion. They definitely recognize and respond to their owners and are very interactive.
Can a guinea pig live alone?
To summarise, a guinea pig can live alone, but ideally shouldn’t. This is because they are social animals that want and need the companionship of other guinea pigs. A piggy on its own requires a lot of care and interaction, which is why experts recommend keeping at least two guinea pigs together.
How long do guinea pigs live indoors?
five to seven years
How do you entertain a single guinea pig?
Here’s what you need to do:
- Create paper bags that your guinea pig can hide in.
- Crumple up a paper into a ball and let the guinea play when it gets out of the cage.
- Use an old sock stuffed with clean animal bedding material.
- Tennis and ping pong balls are easy ways to keep your guinea up and running around the cage.
How often should you play with your guinea pig?
Ideally, a guinea pig will enjoy 3-4 hours of free range play time each day, especially if their cage habitat is small. Even with a big cage, however, it is important to provide adequate exercise out of the cage, and guinea pigs that can get these good workouts will be happier, healthier and better adjusted.
Can guinea pigs stay in their run all day?
A run is not the ideal permanent living space for your guinea pigs. And it’s not suitable for an overnight stay either. This kind of structure doesn’t provide enough shelter and warmth, and even though they are predator-proof, there is always the risk of a badger or fox getting in.
Do guinea pig bites hurt?
Do guinea pig bites hurt? Guinea pig bite can hurt you sometimes. Most of the time, you will find your guinea pig just nibbling at you and licking you without breaking the skin. Although the nibbling can hurt small kids; in general, it’s not that hard.