Guinea pigs tend to retreat into hiding when feeling stressed or threatened, sometimes stopping eating as a response – something which may seem normal at first, but can quickly become alarming over time.
As soon as your guinea pig refuses to eat or drink, it’s vitally important that you identify why as soon as possible, since this could indicate serious health problems such as GI stasis.
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Causes
If your guinea pig stops eating or drinking, it is crucial that they begin again as soon as possible. Without nutrition they could quickly die; try giving some hay, water and pellets and see how they do; if nothing seems to help then consult a veterinarian so they can diagnose and treat any underlying health conditions.
Dental issues are among the primary reasons guinea pigs stop eating or drinking. Since guinea pigs need to gnaw on things to wear down their teeth, when they stop chewing it could result in overgrown and overcrowded teeth that make eating difficult for them.
Guinea pigs may lose their appetite due to stress. Stressful situations could include changes in environment or surroundings, illness, loud noises or poor handling practices – any of these could make the animal hide away and prevent it from eating or drinking normally.
Treatment
If your guinea pig has suddenly stopped eating or moving around much and appears huddled up in one corner, this could be a telltale sign they need veterinary assistance immediately. They must see one as soon as possible.
If your veterinarian is unavailable, try encouraging your guinea pig to drink by placing some fresh hay near their water source and offering water-rich foods like cucumber or lettuce.
A veterinary clinic may take blood samples and radiographs in order to ascertain why your pet has stopped eating, while in the meantime you will likely need to use a dental syringe with an ergonomic handle curved towards its tip for administering fluids or medication.
If it turns out that the cause of a guinea pig’s non-eating is gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, a vet will need to administer ranitidine and Metacam at regular intervals along with essential care such as IV fluids or subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids.
Prevention
Pet owners can take steps to safeguard their guinea pig’s wellbeing, such as providing only Timothy Hay (never alfalfa or corn), maintaining access to water at all times and only giving fruit and vegetables in small amounts, along with regularly cleaning all feeding utensils before and after use. Also avoid giving over the counter “antibiotics” available from pet stores as these may disrupt normal gastrointestinal bacteria balance leading to sickness and even death in some instances.
As your guinea pig adjusts to its new home, they may initially eat less. Over time this should change. Offer daily supplies of hay and consider providing fresh vegetables whenever possible to supplement their regular diet of pellets and timothy hay pellets. In chronic cases of decreased appetite consult your veterinarian; bladder or kidney stones can cause pain when moving around which prevent them from eating and drinking normally.
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But some things can really upset a guinea pig, like sudden diet changes or moving to a new home. These emotional stressors may lead to hormonal disruptions that disrupt eating and drinking habits; having Critical Care on hand as emergency food that can be force-fed with a syringe will be invaluable in managing such situations.
Make sure your cage contains at least two water bottles filled with clean, fresh water – this helps them digest their food better and prevents dental diseases.
Finally, provide fresh timothy hay daily as the cornerstone of their diet to support their digestive health and regulate tooth growth. Other options for hay include alfalfa hay, orchard grass and oat hays.
