Finding your guinea pig chewing their own poop may seem strange and unsanitary, but this behavior is actually completely normal and is due to caecal digestion – an internal digestive process responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that your pet uses for energy and body needs.
Guinea pigs produce two distinct kinds of droppings; hard, dark brown pellets commonly seen around the cage and soft colored pellets they ingest known as cecotropes or c-poop.
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What is it?
Guinea pigs produce two kinds of waste; traditional dark and dry feces as well as vitamin-packed cecotropes. Coprophagy (the practice of eating your own waste), or “c-poop,” is entirely normal and helps guinea pigs obtain vital vitamins they may not get through their food sources.
Regular feces contain protein but fewer fibers than soft c-poop, which is rich in Vitamin K, B-complex vitamins, magnesium and zinc minerals to aid digestion and provide energy. Soft c-poop also improves digestion while offering vital benefits such as improved energy.
Pooping guinea pigs is actually very informative, and its shape can reveal much about their health. If it appears soft and mushy instead of its usual tablet shape, this could indicate diarrhea – an acute health issue which can quickly dehydrate them and even lead to death if left untreated. For optimal care during diarrhea episodes, make sure that there is access to enough water at all times, as well as providing them with plenty of toasted wheat germ for more fiber in their diets.
Why do guinea pigs eat their poop?
Guinea pigs produce two distinct kinds of poop: dark brown droppings we are familiar with and soft, light-coloured pellets with slightly damp and sticky surfaces similar to mucus; this latter variety is known as cecotropes and may seem strange but is actually packed full of essential vitamins that would otherwise be hard for the animals to obtain from food alone.
Guinea pigs use their large caecum to maximize the nutritional content of their food intake, making it easier for their gut bacteria to break down plant fibres and extract protein and vitamins from them. Without eating their own poop regularly, they would quickly become malnourished.
How do I stop my guinea pig from eating their poop?
Cecotropes (soft poo with important nutrients and bacteria from their digestive systems) provide essential nutrition to guinea pigs; eating this material is the natural way for them to access it.
However, if soft poop appears in their cage it should be taken seriously as this could indicate intestinal blockage, diet or disease requiring immediate medical treatment to avoid serious consequences.
If your guinea pig has an impacted poop, it is best to seek assistance from the veterinarian immediately in order to gently tease it out of their body as quickly as possible. Without passing their waste regularly, their essential nutrients may begin being depleted daily and rapidly become malnourished; furthermore, an obstruction in either their anus or gut may also form, potentially leading to fatality.
What if my guinea pig is sick?
When guinea pigs become sick, their symptoms typically include crusty eyes and/or snotty nose, suggesting respiratory infection. Furthermore, sick guinea pigs will often puff up more in their cage than usual and breathe faster than usual – these signs indicate their health needs to be assessed further.
Guinea pigs that do not consume food should be taken immediately to a veterinarian; otherwise, they could go into gut stasis within hours without treatment. Furthermore, it’s advisable to weight them daily to make sure that they’re not losing too much weight.
Guinea Pigs that are sick often emit a high pitched wheek to indicate pain or distress. Other symptoms of illness may include lack of appetite; wet bedding (usually consisting of urine and faeces); rough coat texture; and swollen tummies. In such instances, vets will typically suggest giving antibiotics as well as probiotic supplements like live culture yogurt or Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules in water to reseed their digestive tract with healthy bacteria for overall wellness.
