If your pig seems to be eating less than usual, be sure to visit their veterinarian immediately as this could be a telltale sign of illness. Loss of appetite is often indicative of disease.
Blockages in their digestive tract are one of the primary causes for pigs stopping to eat. Make sure to inspect their stool and give emergency feed (such as Pedialyte) in order to keep your pet going until they can visit the veterinarian.
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1. They’re not hungry
Guinea pig diets tend to consist of plant matter such as grass, leaves, shoots and flowers as well as occasional bits of tree bark or fruit. Since guinea pigs tend to be very eager eaters, when they stop eating suddenly it usually signifies serious distress and requires immediate veterinary intervention.
When your guinea pig stops eating it is likely because something in their stomach doesn’t agree with them. Perhaps their digestive tract has become blocked after eating something which obstructed their digestion process or perhaps something has entered through their food source that caused blockage of their digestive tract.
In such instances, provide your sick guinea pig with calf manna and critical care as soon as possible and use handfeeding techniques in order to keep them alive until they can see a vet. Hand feeding may be necessary in keeping an otherwise sick animal alive until professional medical help arrives.
2. They’re stressed
Guinea pigs can be very sensitive to noise, with even small changes causing stress in their environment resulting in their health deteriorating quickly. You can help minimize their overall stress by limiting noise in your home and keeping barking dogs away from their enclosures; and speaking calmly to them when they begin wheeking or coughing.
Fruit is high in sugar, and chewing on them can damage their teeth by wearing down their incisors causing dental problems that make eating hard work. You should limit their fruit consumption as this could cause serious dental issues that prevent them from eating normally.
If your guinea pig seems to be losing weight rapidly, it is vital that they see their veterinarian immediately. Stress could be the culprit behind their inability to consume enough food in order to keep up their weight.
3. They’re sick
Healthy guinea pigs will continually nibble, which signals their food is moving through their digestive system quickly. When they stop eating, something may be amiss: something such as gastrointestinal stasis or blockages could even result in their deaths if left untreated.
This digestive condition occurs when normal bacteria in the cecum become imbalanced due to an improper diet. As a result, “bad” bacteria flourish and produce uncomfortable gas, slowing digestion and passage through the intestinal tract.
This is an extremely serious condition and needs immediate veterinarian intervention. Your vet may offer you a syringe with soft diet such as critical care guinea pig food or pureed vegetables and fruits (kiwi, strawberries or citrus). These will help your sick guinea pig eat so they can clear away the blockage before it becomes irreparable.
4. They’re injured
If your pig suddenly stops showing any interest in food, it is imperative that they see their veterinarian immediately to determine the source. This could indicate an underlying health problem or be an indicator that they have been injured.
If your cat or kitten is excreting blood, that should be taken very seriously and they should see a vet immediately. The colour of their bleeding can give an indicator as to where the problem lies – bright red means current discomfort while dark brown indicates longstanding bleeding issues.
An animal that appears hunched over or moves less than usual could be suffering, particularly if they’re unable to stand back up again. Be sure to weight them daily so your vet can keep track of their weight and perform any necessary x-rays or scans as required.
5. They’re bored
If your pet shows any indications of boredom by turning their nose up at some appealing hay you have set before them, this could be a telltale sign they need something else to keep themselves occupied. They could chew at cage wire or toys or bite themselves out of boredom.
They will be delighted if given access to plenty of tunnels to run and hide in, since this is part of their natural instinct for burrowing in nature. Furthermore, boxes, shredded paper or other play items that stimulate them mentally would make an excellent way of keeping their minds stimulated.
If your guinea pig isn’t eating, this should be treated as an emergency and medical attention should be sought immediately. In some instances, syringe feeding may be required; if this occurs make sure they receive plenty of water as well.
