Guinea pigs eat their own droppings and what to do about it

The habits of animals can cause confusion among people. Guinea pig owners know this quite well. When they see their guinea pig eating its own poop, they may panic and search for the cause of this strange behavior. Should these actions frighten the owners and what are they connected with? In this article you will find out all the answers to these questions.

Bad habits of guinea pigs

Animals experience deviations from their usual calm behavior.
Many owners are alarmed when guinea pigs jump, jerk their heads, and rush around inside the cage. In most cases, such manifestations are caused by completely natural reasons. For example, a pet lacks dynamics; its muscles require movement. To help the rodent, a special wheel and exercise equipment are placed in its home.

Sometimes a guinea pig starts jumping up in a person's arms if it really wants to go into the cage, and it sees that it is being brought to it. In such a situation, you should not allow the animal to jump from your hands, as the animal may be injured. It is necessary to grasp the pet carefully but firmly and place it in the house.

Many rodent owners are disgusted by the fact that their guinea pig eats its own excrement. Meanwhile, this behavior of animals is quite understandable - the special structure of their digestive system. Some groups of vitamins (for example, B, K) can be absorbed by the animals’ bodies only if they are re-entered into the gastrointestinal tract. So it's no surprise that guinea pigs eat their own droppings.

It's vital for their health

Factors that provoke diarrhea

Diarrhea can occur from intestinal disorders or is a concomitant symptom of the disease. Diarrhea in a pet can be a result of:

• bacterial infection;
• the presence of worms;
• dental pathologies;
• fungal infections;
• nervous stress;
• colds;
• dysbacteriosis;
• consumption of poor-quality drink and food.

It should be noted that even diarrhea that occurs after eating spoiled food can be fatal. The dehydration that accompanies this disorder poses a great danger to the guinea pig. Therefore, it is necessary to show the animal to a veterinarian immediately.

Sometimes pet owners experience anxiety and panic without reason when the consistency of excrement changes. Normal stool looks like hard granules. If it is soft and unformed, this is not necessarily a sign of disease. This may be a consequence of eating juicy foods that soften the stool. But if diarrhea and mucus appear, you need to take action immediately.

How a rodent became a pig

These cute rodents come from the mountainous region of South America, from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and southern Colombia. The harsh conditions of the Central Andes have long been inhabited by many different representatives of the pig family, and, as genetic studies have shown, about 5 thousand years ago, local residents decided to breed rodents for their needs. And after several thousand years, figurines of guinea pigs appeared.

Hundreds of years have passed, and with the help of targeted selection, species of guinea pigs were bred that differed from their wild relatives in their greater mass and decorative appearance. Basically, the Indians ate domesticated rodents for food or used them in sacrifices and fortune telling by their entrails.

At the same time, it was important that domesticated guinea pigs were presented to the gods as gifts, since, according to local beliefs, only what was obtained through hard work should be donated to the deity

The first Europeans to learn about animals unknown in the Old World were the Spaniards. From numerous local tribes, conquistadors and missionaries received information about funny rodents like rats or rabbits, which the natives bred as meat breeds. To the conquerors who tasted the exotic meat, its taste was reminiscent of suckling pig. Perhaps this is why in Europe they began to call overseas animals pigs.

Another possible reason is that guinea pigs make funny sounds that resemble the grunts and squeals of a pig. They also constantly chew something, like real pigs. This is due to the peculiarities of the digestive system, due to which babies have to eat greens often, but in small portions. The comparison turned out to be so successful that the word appears in most of the names of this species in various languages ​​of the world.

In any case, in their historical homeland, guinea pigs are still a delicacy and a source of dietary meat, which in its taste is close to rabbit or chicken. In Peru alone, up to 65 million rodents are eaten annually.

Preventing diarrhea in guinea pigs

Diarrhea can be easily avoided if you keep the animal in good conditions: the cage should be clean and the bedding should be dry. The room where the cage is located should be well ventilated, but not have drafts. It is also not recommended to place the cage in direct sunlight, near heaters and radiators. It is also important to monitor the quality of food: animals should absolutely not be given vegetables and fruits with traces of rot or mold, dirty foods, or foods that have already turned sour. It is periodically recommended to add mineral supplements and probiotics to food, which have a good effect on maintaining the natural intestinal microflora.

The guinea pig is a very active animal and for the functioning of all organs and systems of the body it needs constant movement.

Living in a cramped cage and lack of exercise will negatively affect your health.

When purchasing a new animal, you should establish a two-week quarantine and only then place the new pet in the main cage. Usually two weeks is enough time to identify infectious diseases, the presence of parasites, as well as any behavioral problems that may negatively affect other animals.

Using Guinea Pig Manure as Fertilizer

Now that you know you can use guinea pig manure in your gardens, where do you start? When using guinea pig manure as fertilizer, you have many options. Their droppings consist of pellets, like rabbits. Therefore they are used in the same way as in the garden.

Guinea pig waste can be added directly to the garden without worrying about burning tender plantings. This manure breaks down quickly and contains all the same nutrients as rabbit manure - nitrogen and phosphorus. There is no need to compost in advance. However, that doesn't mean you can't put it in your compost pile. In fact, many people actually prefer to throw it in the compost pile.

Feeding

There is a theory - if a rodent has problems with the digestive tract, then it should be fed the feces of another healthy guinea pig. This is actually a myth. It is better to treat the animal only with medications.

Watering can harm the animal. This is due to the fact that all pigs have different internal microflora. It is difficult to talk at all about the health of another pig, since diseases may not have clear signs, and this cannot be determined without laboratory analysis. In addition, only liquid feces are useful, which the pig immediately eats, so it will not be possible to get it.

If you do not want harm to your pet, try to avoid this method in order to cure it.

The problem of guinea pigs eating feces

The fact that guinea pigs consume their droppings worries some owners. Having understood the causes of this problem and familiarizing yourself with the opinions of experts, you can understand that such behavior is normal for all rodents. This allows them to improve the digestion process and normalize the intestinal microflora.

There is such a widespread belief that in case of indigestion and other digestive problems, you need to feed the animal their feces diluted with water using a syringe. However, this is nothing more than a myth. This “traditional medicine” does not in any way contribute to the animal’s recovery, since guinea pig poop comes in different types: liquid, containing vitamins, and hard, cylindrical, which contains particles of grass and fiber. The waste products of a sick animal may contain harmful bacteria and infections, and they will only worsen the animal’s condition.

If you are seriously concerned that your pet is consuming its own excrement, then you need to diversify your pet's diet:

• buy new food; give bread; feed with cottage cheese; increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

By the way, do you know how to treat lichen in guinea pigs? Look, it's interesting!

In addition, you can enrich your guinea pig's diet with vitamins by giving the animal a special remedy. As experts and rodent owners recommend, you can buy a special substitute with vitamins at a veterinary pharmacy. This complex contains those micro- and macroelements that your pet is probably lacking. When he receives them, he may become less likely to consume his feces. For more specific answers to this problem, consult your veterinarian.

Thus, coprophagy is common to all species of the rodent order, so there is no need to make a problem out of it. If your pig eats her litter, don't assume she's sick or doing it because she's stupid or there's something wrong with her. In fact, these animals themselves know what and when to eat. The owner’s task is to provide the pet with clean water, food, hay and fruit in a timely manner.

It is also important to follow the regime, since these animals cannot be overfed. When providing good care for your guinea pig, make sure its diet is varied so that it receives the maximum amount of nutrients.

In this case, the animal will have enough vitamins, it will be healthy and active.

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Spring has come, it's time to feed the violets with organic fertilizer.

These fertilizers contain the most valuable nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and some other microelements.

The value of organic fertilizers is not only in improving the chemical composition of the soil, but also in the process of decomposition - producing carbon dioxide.

Organic fertilizers stimulate abundant flowering and are applied once a month before planting buds, in spring, summer and autumn. It is better not to feed weakened and diseased plants.

Organic fertilizer is used not as the only main fertilizer, but as a one-time additive to mineral fertilizers. It improves the structure of the soil, making it more suitable for root development. The most popular, accessible and inexpensive organic fertilizer is mullein.

Why do guinea pigs eat their own droppings: rodent excrement

You can often see the following picture: a pig, curled up in a ball, tucks its head under its stomach, and then begins to quickly chew something, which, upon closer inspection, turns out to be its own droppings!

But don’t immediately get scared and think that your pet has gone crazy.

Guinea pigs are actually coprophagous - and, yes, they eat their own poop . The microflora of the rodent's cecum synthesizes the enzymes, amino acids, and vitamins B and K needs , which do not immediately enter the body with food. In order to “extract” all the necessary substances from food, the pig passes them through the digestive tract.

First, the pet eats grass, hay and other foods high in fiber, which are not completely digested. At the same time, strains of bacteria are actively working in the intestines, which help break down incoming plant food into essential amino acids, and then the pig eats “home-made feces.”

It is not completely digested and is very rich in proteins . Consequently, coprophagy, together with incoming food, provides the herbivore with all useful substances and normalizes intestinal function.

Pigs have two types of feces. One, ordinary one, containing undigested fiber, grass, etc., can be seen scattered throughout the cage and folded in the form of pyramids. And the other, enriched with vitamins and amino acids, is formed differently and has a more liquid consistency, and the pig eats it directly from the anus, leaning towards it.

Guinea pigs. Fertilizer and gas. | Guinea pigs and other rodents.

Casa Blanca has the delightful villa of a professorial couple, Carmen Felipe-Morails and Ulissa Moreno, two specialists in guinea pig breeding and agricultural technology who lecture in the agriculture program at the nearby National Agricultural University of Molina. Their villa, located in gardens, surrounded by trees, flowers, vegetable beds, and many birds, is also a laboratory where the owners conduct their research and provide space for other scientists. Ulysses: “We are grateful to the many smart people who spent their time studying the genetics of our farm animals and the various biochemical processes to produce better fertilizer. Our observations can help Peruvian farmers.” For their research, they selected different potato varieties bred for different climates and soil types. And several types of fruit trees and cereals. Of course, they do not expect that the hundred-year experience of many academics will bring instant results, but they expect that Peruvians can and should do something useful for themselves, and not wait for saviors from the developed world. Up to 1000 guinea pigs are kept in special pens. In the low A roofed barn houses approximately 1,000 guinea pigs (Carvia porcellus) in numbered, separated pens. Guinea pigs curl, purr, mumble, whistle and chat while eating varied and nutritious food. Schoolchildren who come on an excursion crowd around the pigs, lisping with the furry little animals. Carmen entertains them by answering the question: “Is this Kui a boy or a girl?” Lifting the pig and pressing on the genitals reveals a small penis. The guinea pigs are part of a wonderful factory that supplies fuel and fertilizer for other farm projects. Small dry pellets of droppings, excreted by rodents after eating, are loaded into a bio-systematizer, which Ulysses borrowed from a Chinese model. Water is added there, and the bacteria in this liquid solution begin their work. The end result is methane gas and a liquid fertilizer that Ulysses calls "Cocoa-Cola". This is an incredibly efficient, non-smelly process (the process happens underground) that produces enough gas for a family to use and liters of bio-fertilizer to use and sell. .These 1000 guinea pigs produce 3 tons of litter a month - who knew they pooped so much? (Opelsinovna knew!) But the learned couple uses only 200 kg. for bio-systematizer. The rest is placed with organic waste in compost heaps to obtain high-quality fertilizer for your needs and for sale. The rest of the guinea pig litter, along with plant waste, is placed in compost heaps. Bamboo pipes are inserted into the piles specifically for “breathing.” Air access accelerates decomposition. Even using not all the litter for the bio-systematizer, they produce 3 cubic meters of methane per day. Plus, 50 liters a week of Kaka Cola, which they sell for 2 soles (65 cents) per liter. From the bio-systematizer, in the place where methane accumulates, a pipe extends to a small barn, and in the barn it connects to the tire tube from wheels of a large truck or tractor. Once the chamber is filled with gas, it is connected to the home gas pipeline. Which, in turn, powers a gas stove and even an electric generator! This is how you can control any device in your home, from a light bulb to a computer, using just guinea pig droppings. “My message to the people of Peru: Don’t blame your poverty. Get rid of poverty using the knowledge you have gained and natural processes and you will improve your quality of life and become happier,” says Ulysses, continuing to eat ice cream made with fruit grown using guinea pig droppings.

Benefits of using sprouted grains in pork diets

In pig farming conditions, the most profitable methods of feeding pigs are used, which reduce the consumption of concentrated feed and the cost of purchasing vitamin preparations. Sprouting grain is the simplest method of fortification and optimization of feed mixtures.

Sprouted grain is a valuable nutritious food containing vitamins C, E, B, carotene, important microelements, and amino acids. In addition, it is far superior to regular wheat in terms of protein concentration.

When barley grains germinate, their enzymes convert complex substances into simpler elements that are easily digestible. The method of feeding piglets with feed using sprouted grain has a positive effect on all functions of the growing body.

If you feed young pigs from 4 to 7 months with such feed, the volume of high-quality meat with a layer of thin fat increases. At the same time, daily feeding norms amount to 10% of the total diet. That is why this type of feed is exactly what is best to feed meat breed pigs to obtain quality products.

Coprophagia: norm or pathology

Coprophagy in a healthy and beneficial manifestation is observed in animals. For people it is unnatural and an indicator of mental deviation. But in the animal world, coprophagy is part of the animal's food cycle. When consuming different foods, the stomach of guinea pigs does not always absorb all the nutrients. And so partially processed food is eaten for processing a second time. For the health of domestic rodents, this form is an integral and beneficial part of the food chain. Eating feces normalizes intestinal function, receives missing vitamins, and processes lumps in the stomach.

Types of litter

Guinea pigs produce different types of feces. The first type of feces has a more liquid state. The composition includes undigested fiber, proteins, a group of vitamins K and B, beneficial bacteria, amino acids and many useful components for digestion and recycling. Guinea pigs eat such “poop” directly while excreting it from the anus. This behavior is the absolute norm for rodents. In this way they are treated and retain all the beneficial elements for the body. The second type of litter is removed by the owner from the tray and is completely unsuitable for recycling. It appears to have solid contents in the shape of sticks.

Pathology or normal phenomenon?

Most researchers are inclined to believe that this pattern of behavior is the natural norm for this group of animals. In the process of eating food, some vitamins are not absorbed by the animal’s body.

But as compensation, processes such as:

• food is processed in the stomach using gastric juice;
• bacteria help reproduce essential microelements;
• removal from the body of the substrate, which the pig eats, obtaining the missing substances naturally.

First, the pig eats grass and other foods rich in fiber. Then a number of microorganisms contained in the intestines come into play. It is thanks to their work that the very feces appear that are suitable for eating by animals.

Research has not fully established its true benefits, but what is certain is that this type of feces is very rich in proteins. Despite the not very pleasant fact, the process of eating food in animals leads to the replenishment of a whole complex of nutrients naturally.

In addition, the absorption of natural waste helps the guinea pig improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which by nature is poorly developed. Some people watch this process with disgust. But for animals it is quite natural.

With the help of the microflora of the cecum, a guinea pig can compensate for the lack of nutrients such as:

• vitamin B category;
• enzymes;
• vitamin K and a number of amino acids.

During the first meal, due to the individual characteristics of the body, the elements are not fully absorbed and the pig replenishes them using the previously mentioned method, which is not the most pleasant for humans.

The process includes 3 steps:

• First, the animal receives foods rich in fiber. The pet needs it, but it does not have time to be completely digested in one go;
• in the process of passing through the gastrointestinal tract, food is influenced by a number of bacteria, converting it into nutritional amino acids;
• After the products come out, the second stage of more thorough assimilation of useful elements begins.

It is with this lifestyle that the intestines and the general gastrointestinal system of the animal will function in the rhythm intended by nature.

This feature is characteristic of many representatives of the animal world. Many owners mistakenly believe that their pet eats droppings only out of stupidity or illness. In fact, animals are quite smart and know what is suitable for food and when. The owner’s task includes competent formation of the diet and timely provision of the animal with the necessary microelements. An important point is to adhere to a special diet; you should not overeat. With a varied and high-quality diet, the pet will receive all the necessary vitamins. It is in this case that the pet will remain active and healthy for quite a long time.

This phenomenon in animal behavior can often be found and not only in rodents. And even in ordinary dogs. Most often, in this way the animal seeks to compensate for the natural lack of any vitamins. For example, a number of monkeys in one of the African countries also ate their excrement. There is another variant of behavior among the young of this type of animal. It is clearly visible in the behavior of elephants, when cubs literally stick their trunks into their mother’s anus to extract nutrients. Despite this unpleasant feature, this behavior helps younger generations acquire high-quality microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as create conditions for eating various types of plants.

As mentioned above, this type of animal includes rodents, such as rabbits or chinchillas. Their structure of the gastrointestinal tract system also does not immediately process food to the desired consistency. Due to the fact that a number of nutrients are not immediately absorbed by the intestinal microflora, the body needs more time to process them naturally. Rodents have a natural ability to compensate for the deficiency by repeatedly eating plant foods.

Symptoms of diarrhea in a guinea pig

Soft feces formed into small pellets are not diarrhea. However, many breeders perceive softened feces as a dangerous signal and begin to give their pigs medications, which leads to constipation. However, soft feces are just a consequence of the predominance of succulent food in the animal’s diet. For each animal, diarrhea occurs and proceeds differently.

The symptoms preceding diarrhea can be completely different and dissimilar, but there are a number of mandatory ones:

• Clumping of hair in the anal area,
• Small pieces of feces sticking to fur
• The smell of pigs becomes very pungent and unpleasant,
• The pig starts pooping often and a lot,
• Gas formation and bloating in the animal,
• When palpated, a rumbling in the tummy is clearly heard and a characteristic seething in the intestines is felt.

Features that cannot be ignored

A distinctive feature of pigs is that they do not have fangs. There is empty space in the places where fangs should be. It is commonly called diastema. The front part of the teeth grows throughout the animal's life. The enamel is only in the front part. There is no enamel inside the teeth, and the incisors are constantly worn away.

And, of course, before you choose tricks for your pet or come up with your own, you definitely need to know the peculiarities of the psyche and behavioral reflexes of guinea pigs. Without exception, they love:

• peace and quiet, a noisy or nervous environment makes the animal’s psyche unstable, and therefore training is unlikely to bear fruit;
• an abundance of dry grass or filler in a cage or enclosure - the desire to rummage through something is partly what gave them their name;
• fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits - the microelements and vitamins they contain cannot replace any balanced store-bought food, and a healthy animal is always more willing to communicate than one that does not receive the necessary nutrients.

Some breeds, for example, Sphynxes, are overly demanding about room temperature, get cold easily and can get sick. And in general, these animals, despite the dense fur of most breeds, do not tolerate cold well and are very sensitive to drafts. When an animal experiences discomfort, there is no time for entertainment.

Never try to play with your guinea pig until he is comfortable with changes in his environment. If you have guests and you want to show them your pet's skills, give the animal time to get used to new smells, faces and sounds. At least half an hour. And only then, continuously talking to her, start the show.

Guinea pigs are very grateful animals. They always respond to love and care a hundredfold, so it is not difficult for an attentive owner not only to get an excellent companion in the person of a funny piggy, but also to organize his own mini-circus at home.

To keep guinea pigs healthy and happy for a long time, they need daily exercise. With a little imagination and imagination, you can make their life rich and interesting.

In nature, guinea pigs spend most of their time searching for food without ever getting bored. Life is much simpler for our pets: we give them a cozy home, delicious food and water. But because of this, their life becomes insipid, they begin to get bored. If your guinea pig is kept in a crate all the time, it may develop problems with being overweight.

Daily exercise is very important for your guinea pig's health. Once you let her out of the cage, you will be surprised at the energy with which your pet will run and jump. In dry and hot weather, the pig can be released outside. In bad weather, it is better to give her the opportunity to explore the house from the inside. Of course, your pig will spend a significant part of the time locked up, but this does not mean that she should be bored. There are many things you can put in the cage to keep your pet occupied while you do your business.

Games in the house

When releasing a guinea pig into your home, limit its movements to one room and warn other family members that the pig is on the loose. Guinea pigs will happily run and jump in the wild. If you have a large cardboard box, it will make a wonderful toy. Cut two entrances in it and watch how the pig runs back and forth.

Your guinea pig should be allowed out of its cage for at least an hour a day. Guinea pigs love to play with pipes and tunnels, especially in good company.

Games in the cage

Since guinea pigs spend a lot of time in their cage, they definitely need something to do. You can put a branch of an apple or pear tree in the cage: most pigs love to chew on them. This will not only keep your pet occupied, but will also benefit his teeth. Some guinea pigs love to play with a ball and roll it around the cage.

Place food in different corners of the cage to make it more fun for your pig to find it.

Outdoor games

Guinea pigs love walks in dry and warm weather. A place protected from the elements with access to water and a fenced-off enclosure will allow you to leave your pig in the garden for a long time. Place a stone or brick in the enclosure - your pet will be happy to climb on it to look around.

Food and pleasure

We all know how much guinea pigs love to eat. So why don't you vary your feeding times?

Take two bowls and fill one with fresh food and the other with dry food and place them at opposite ends of the cage so that the animal has to run around.

The cunning of the priests

One of the witty versions of why rodents from South America in Europe were classified as marine animals is associated with the peculiarities of monastic life. According to church beliefs, eating meat awakens base passions and voluptuousness in a person. Therefore, in addition to bread, cereals, beans and herbs, the monks were allowed to eat (with very rare exceptions) only fish. However, many were unable to withstand all the hardships of monastic life on bread and water alone.

A similar trick was later applied to the guinea pig, because there were many monasteries in Germany, Spain, and France.

The pig ate a piece of plastic :-((

The pig ate a piece of plastic :-(( ¶

From: mormotka - February 29, 2008 9:59 am

Mormotka the pig is already 6 years old. Today my mother noticed that at night she dragged into the cage and chewed a piece of a thick black plastic bag about half the size of her palm. Mom called, crying.

It is clear that polyethylene is not a napkin and will not be digested, but in practice, maybe it happens that such cases are “worked around”? Or is this an obvious death?

The pig ate a piece of plastic :-(( ¶

From: Reyna - February 29, 2008 10:38 am

The piece is big. In general, it usually comes out with the feces, but I don’t know what about your big piece. Call Nastya Vysokikh, you will find the phone number here on the forum, and she will tell you how you can help. Perhaps Vaseline oil will help him get out, but I don’t know for sure, call her, she is a very good specialist.

The pig ate a piece of plastic :-(( ¶

From: mormotka - February 29, 2008 10:46 am

I called the clinic using the phone number I found here. They are silent about Nastya Vysokikh, they said that a specialist in rodents will work at night, they named a completely different name - Kostrov. But first they said that they usually perform a surgical operation. I called my mother - she categorically refuses the operation - the mumps is old and will only suffer longer.

The pig ate a piece of plastic :-(( ¶

From: KsyuKha - February 29, 2008 12:18

You are not calling the clinic, but Nastya Vysokikh. There is her cell phone on the forum.

Sometimes everything worked out. Pigs, like dogs, do not swallow food, but chew it thoroughly. Perhaps it will “pass”.

The pig ate a piece of plastic :-(( ¶

From: Kuznetsov - February 29, 2008 15:13

Don't worry so much just yet! I wouldn't even call. What's the point? I know approximately what Nastya will answer you: watch the pig, if anything bothers you (lethargy, refusal to eat, movements atypical for pigs, etc.) - then go to the veterinarian. In most cases, everything works out, the polyethylene comes out safely along with the feces. Well, finally, to calm her down, give her a dropper of Vaseline in her mouth so that everything will slide better. And most importantly, there is no reason to worry yet - just watch. As for the operation, this is complete nonsense. At such an advanced age, there is no point in performing any complex surgery on the pig, because... its outcome will be known in advance.

Steps

Part 1

Set up a litter box

Observe your guinea pig and find out where it goes to the toilet most often.

The first step in toilet training a guinea pig is to observe your pet. In most cases, guinea pigs have a preferred location for the toilet. If you place the litter box in this exact location, you will increase the likelihood that your guinea pig will begin to use it for its intended purpose.

Monitor your guinea pig for a few days

Pay attention to where exactly your pet prefers to go to the toilet. The answer to this question can also be found out while cleaning the cage. Pay attention to where in the cage the most excrement and urine have accumulated.

• Place a litter box in the cage.
  You can buy a toilet tray for a guinea pig, or you can make it yourself. Just make sure that it is comfortable for your pet to get in and out of it. Place the tray in the corner that your guinea pig most often uses as a toilet.
• Make sure the litter box is large enough to accommodate your entire pet.

Make sure the sides of the tray are not very high. The guinea pig should have no difficulty getting over these walls.

If necessary, place several litter boxes in the cage.

Some guinea pigs like to go to the toilet in several corners of the cage at once. If you are faced with this exact situation, most likely your pet will not be able to use the only litter tray. When a guinea pig goes to the toilet not in one corner, but in several, it is necessary to place a litter tray in each such place.

Part 2

Encourage litter box use

See if your guinea pig will come to the litter box on its own accord.

For the most part, litter box training your guinea pig does not require any intervention. Some guinea pigs will start using the litter box right away and some will not. At the very beginning, you need to make sure that the guinea pig does not begin to climb into the tray on its own.

Many guinea pigs quickly understand the purpose of the litter box. If you are lucky, your pet will immediately begin to use it for its intended purpose.

Try stimulating your guinea pig to use the litter box with hay.

If your pet doesn't quite understand the purpose of the litter box, try putting some hay in the litter box. A guinea pig may climb into the tray when it sees hay in it. In addition, if the litter box smells of urine and feces, the pet will quickly realize that this is where it is necessary to go to the toilet.

Change the litter in the tray regularly.

Once your guinea pig starts using the litter box, change the litter regularly. Try to update it every three days. Know that your guinea pig will not go to the toilet in a dirty litter box.

Clean the litter box only every two weeks. In order for your guinea pig to continue using the litter box, there needs to be some odor left on it.

Constipation in a guinea pig occurs infrequently, since this animal has excellent immunity and, in principle, rarely gets sick. Problems with intestinal function in pigs usually occur due to improper feeding.

The main cause of intestinal dysfunction in guinea pigs, which is manifested by poor fecal output or its complete absence, is an incorrect diet, namely:

1. excess solid dry food;
2. constant overfeeding;
3. long interval between feedings;
4. lack of minerals;
5. feeding your pet food intended for humans.

A lack of fluid in the body can also trigger stool retention, so it is important to ensure that your pet always has drinking water in his bowl. In addition, a common cause of constipation is inactivity of the animal.

This is usually observed in older pigs or when the pet is overweight.

If we talk about more serious causes of constipation in guinea pigs, these include:

• weakening of the intestinal muscles;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• inflection of the gallbladder;
• gastrointestinal oncology;
• cysts, adhesions and other formations in the intestines.

If constipation in an animal caused by improper feeding can be eliminated independently, then the above factors require medical treatment.

First aid, home treatment and diet

You cannot self-medicate. But it is not always possible to immediately get an appointment with a veterinarian. Therefore, you should know the rules for providing first aid to an animal when diarrhea occurs. It is necessary to pour water with potassium permanganate into the drinking bowl. Its color should be pink. If the pig refuses to drink, the solution must be filled with a syringe.

You can give the animal activated carbon. The amount of product is calculated by weight. The tablet needs to be crushed, mixed in water and given to the guinea pig to drink. Instead of coal, you can use Smecta. For a pet, 1/6 of a sachet is diluted; you need to feed it from a syringe. Enterosgel provides excellent assistance. But you need to take into account that this drug can only be given to an adult guinea pig. Enterosgel, activated carbon, Smecta cleanse the intestines. You can strengthen the stool and eliminate inflammation with decoctions of oak bark, chamomile flowers, and alder cones. You need to give the animal oatmeal and rice water, they fix the feces. Excrement must be removed immediately and the cage washed to avoid deterioration of the animal’s condition.

The following are used in the treatment of diarrhea:

• Activated carbon – 1 g per 1 kg of weight;
• Enterosgel – 3 times a day, 1 ml;
• Etazol for stool fixation;
• Bifitralak – 0.1 ml per 1 kg of weight.

If your pet's condition does not improve within 1-2 days, you need to give him Loperamide. This drug copes well with intestinal disorders and fixes feces. Experienced experts recommend giving your guinea pig some raw potatoes. The product contains a lot of starch, which has an astringent effect. The original method of treating diarrhea is used by the breeders of these animals: they take the excrement of healthy rodents and feed it to the sick pet.

The treatment of diarrhea necessarily includes probiotics that restore intestinal microflora. But drugs intended for humans cannot be used. They contain lactose, and for guinea pigs any animal products are real poison. Pet stores and veterinary hospitals have probiotics designed specifically for rodents.

Owners of guinea pigs should know that these recipes can only cure a pet if the diarrhea is a consequence of an intestinal disorder. If there are other diseases that provoked diarrhea, it is necessary to diagnose them and treat the underlying disease. If within two days tablets, decoctions, or probiotics have not been able to cope with diarrhea, the stool remains liquid, you need to show the animal to a veterinarian and have the excrement tested.

Vegetables

Can guinea pigs have radishes?

It is permissible to use only radish tops. The root vegetable contains essential oils that can cause irritation to the mucous membranes and respiratory tract of the animal. The vegetable also causes bloating. Therefore, it is not recommended to give radishes to pigs.

Can guinea pigs eat celery?

Celery can be given in any form - stems, leaves, roots. This vegetable is included in many dry food for rodents. Celery is enriched with vitamins B, PP, E, C, A and contains phosphorus, zinc, potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Before eating, celery must be washed thoroughly, especially the root.

Can guinea pigs eat tomatoes?

Ripe fruits can be included in the food. Tomatoes are well absorbed by animals and contain vitamin C and carotene, which are beneficial for their body. Green tomatoes contain solanine, which can negatively affect your pet’s health.

Too many tomatoes in an animal's menu can cause loose stools.

Can guinea pigs eat cabbage?

Cabbage can be included in the animal's diet. Cabbage contains many vitamins and other substances necessary for pigs:

• ascorbic acid;
• B vitamins;
• vitamins of the PP group;
• folic acid;
• sulfur;
• calcium;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• amino acids;
• microelements.

Today we have cabbage lunch. The vegetable is able to keep the animal’s fur in excellent condition and strengthen its immunity. The top dried leaves should be given. It is preferable to feed guinea pigs Chinese cabbage and broccoli. White cabbage can cause bloating.

Can guinea pigs eat potatoes?

Green and sprouted potatoes are contraindicated for guinea pigs. Raw vegetables can be given occasionally, cut into small pieces. Boiled potatoes can be offered to your pet separately or added to grains and other foods.

Can guinea pigs eat beets?

Beetroot contains many substances useful for animals: vitamins C, A and B, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron. In excess, the vegetable contains fiber, so it acts on the animal’s body as a laxative. Store-bought root vegetables may contain nitrates, which are very harmful to the small body of guinea pigs. It is better to offer your pet homemade crops. The composition also contains a large amount of oxalic acid, so it is better to limit the consumption of this product.

It is recommended to give beets starting from 2 months; they are especially useful in winter and spring, when there are no fresh vegetables. The daily dose should not exceed 200 g, and it is better to exclude beets from the diet of pregnant and lactating pigs so as not to provoke an upset stomach. Beets turn stool and urine red, so if your animal has eaten them, don’t be alarmed by such changes.

Can guinea pigs eat pumpkin?

Pigs can be given all varieties of pumpkin that humans eat. For the digestion of herbivorous animals, such a product will be familiar and useful. Pumpkin contains vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus necessary for rodents. It should be borne in mind that this low-calorie vegetable will not be able to saturate the pig completely, so it is better to give pumpkin to guinea pigs as a treat.

Can guinea pigs eat bell pepper?

Another storehouse of ascorbic acid is bell pepper. Before use, the vegetable must be thoroughly washed and chopped, and the seeds removed. It is better to give the product together with dry food.

Can guinea pigs eat cucumber?

Cucumbers don't have as many nutrients as other vegetables. You can offer your pet a cucumber. The vegetable can harm your pet's health by causing digestive problems only if consumed in large quantities.

Can guinea pigs eat zucchini?

Zucchini is suitable for the diet of guinea pigs. They contain small amounts of vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. It is better to prefer young vegetables; they can be given along with the peel, cut into crowbars.

Truth and fiction about feeding pigs feces

There is an opinion on the Internet and among a number of veterinarians that if the pig’s natural functioning of the gastrointestinal tract system is disrupted, then it needs to be fed feces. It is worth knowing that this information is just a fictitious and outdated myth. An animal cannot be treated using this method; it must be shown to a veterinarian and treated with prescribed medications. If there are early problems with the digestive system, force feeding will worsen the situation.

In addition, you need to remember that pigs eat special night feces. It is impossible to obtain it artificially. And if you force feed it harmful species, you can also harm the body. Therefore, you should not believe common myths and it is better to resort to natural methods provided by nature.

Expert opinion

Experts say that guinea pigs periodically eat their droppings to restore their intestinal microflora, just like other herbivores. This phenomenon is called coprophagy, it is considered completely normal and physiologically necessary for life, so there is no need to prohibit animals from doing this.

Zoologists claim that the microflora of the guinea pig’s cecum synthesizes substances necessary for the body:

• enzymes; B vitamins; amino acids; vitamins K.

At the first meal, these microelements are not absorbed in the body, so animals eat their feces and reabsorb the substances they contain.

Initially, rodents eat grass, hay and food, which contain a large amount of fiber, which does not have time to be digested immediately. As food particles pass through the gastrointestinal tract, they are influenced by bacteria, which break down food into amino acids. After the waste products have come out, the animal eats them, and all the substances are normally absorbed in the body for the second time. Thus, the pet's intestines will function normally.

Coprophagous pig

In these animals, the process of assimilation of food cannot be completed at once. First, the rodent eats food containing fiber, then, as it moves on, it is processed by gastric juice. The digestion process occurs: food moves through the intestinal tract, breaking down into simple components. Beneficial bacteria in the animal’s body help this. After the first processing, vitamins are produced and excreted in feces. To replenish the amount of elements necessary for the body and maintain normal functioning of the intestinal tract, the rodent eats its droppings.

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