Guinea Pig Poos - What's Normal & What's Not?

A great indicator of good or poor health in a guinea pig is by checking their poo! 

Guinea pigs' health can go downhill very abruptly, so checking their poos at least once a day will help you keep on top of any changes. Healthy piggy poops should be dark, glossy, smooth, with round ends, and, as much as we hate the cleanup, there should be LOTS of it! 💩💩💩 Lighter coloured poops can point to dehydration or malnutrition and can be an easy case of changes to their diet.

When there isn't enough fibre (either from reduced appetite or poor diet), piggies' digestive systems start to shut down. This is when the poops can get smaller, tear-drop shaped, and stringy. Other bad signs are bloody poops, poops covered in mucus or crumbly/smeary poops. If you see any poop problems, get to your exotics vet asap!

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are small rodents native to South America. They belong to the family Caviidae and are not actually pigs despite their name! Guinea pigs have a robust, stocky body with short legs, and typically weigh between 700 to 1,200 grams. They are herbivores with a diet consisting primarily of hay, vegetables, and specially formulated pellets. Guinea pigs are social animals that thrive in groups and have a range of vocalizations to communicate with each other.

Historically, guinea pigs were domesticated by indigenous peoples of the Andes for food, religious ceremonies, and as pets. They were first introduced to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish explorers and quickly became popular as exotic pets. Over time, guinea pigs have been bred in captivity, resulting in a variety of breeds with different coat types and colors. Today, they are commonly kept as pets worldwide and are (in our opinion), the best animals in the world due to their quirky personalities and cuddly nature!

TOP 10 GUINEA PIG FACTS

Watch our video that covers some great facts about guinea pigs and their care!

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