Loss of appetite among our pets can be alarming and we must act quickly as pet parents to identify potential solutions and find an acceptable remedy.
Avoid feeding your guinea pig vegetables such as iceberg lettuce and cabbage as these produce are gassy and have limited nutrition value for guinea pigs. Furthermore, anything treated with chemicals should never be fed as even small doses can lead to serious illness in guinea pigs.
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Causes
Warning signs for guinea pigs who stop eating should always be taken seriously, since failure to treat this quickly may result in serious health issues or even death.
Your guinea pig could lose its appetite due to numerous reasons. Stomach issues like GI stasis or blockages caused by foreign objects could leave it too uncomfortable to consume food and cause it not to feed regularly.
Dental issues like overgrown teeth can impede guinea pig feedings. Guinea pig teeth grow continuously and must be worn down by chewing roughage food and other objects in order to remain at a healthy length. Overgrown teeth can cause painful malocclusions which threaten their lives as well.
Pregnancy toxemia is another condition that causes guinea pigs to lose their appetite, as it’s a metabolic disorder caused by lack of food that leads to ketones in their bodies and this condition is so fatal it can kill within 48 hours after first showing symptoms.
Treatment
No matter the cause, it can be alarming when your guinea pig suddenly stops eating. These small creatures tend to be highly voracious eaters so any change in appetite could quickly lead to health complications that require medical intervention quickly. Therefore, it’s essential that any abnormal behaviors from your pet be addressed by seeing a veterinarian immediately.
Treatment options for guinea pigs that stop eating may include medication to stimulate their appetite, fluid therapy to prevent dehydration or even an intestinal tube. Disease treatments could include additional vitamin C supplements or antibiotics depending on its cause.
Dental issues are another likely culprit behind guinea pigs’ lack of appetite. Guinea pigs possess two long, slender incisors on both jaws as well as four “cheek” teeth on each occlusal surface of their mouth – these very sharp cheek teeth can become overgrown causing irritation to mouth or throat area and reduce appetite significantly.
Prevention
Avoiding health problems in guinea pigs can be accomplished through reducing stress factors, maintaining proper cage sanitation, and keeping population numbers down. Regular physical examinations, vaccinations, and preventive medication may also prove helpful in keeping these adorable pets in optimal health.
If a guinea pig stops eating or drinking suddenly, this should be taken seriously as this indicates possible blockages in its stomach or intestines. As soon as possible they should visit a veterinarian to be evaluated and treated accordingly.
An animal that isn’t eating or drinking may require being fed through syringe with Critical Care or vegetable baby food via syringe, until they start eating on its own again. Make sure their water bottles are kept clean and filled daily as stagnant water could turn them off completely from drinking.
Recommendations
Loss of appetite in small animals such as guinea pigs can be alarming. Due to their naturally greedy appetites, any lack of feeding could result in severe weight loss and lead to further health complications.
Provide your guinea pig with high quality, low dust type of hay as well as fresh fruits and veggies with low sugar contents such as apples, bananas and kiwis to ensure maximum happiness and good health.
Recovery Food should always be on hand – even for when your pig refuses to eat! These powdered mixes designed for force feeding with a syringe typically contain pellets, hay, sugars and Vitamin C as ingredients – you can make your own DIY version by soaking regular pellets in water until a thick liquid forms or purchasing from pet shops or vet clinics.
