Guinea pigs are great pets due to the fact that they are small and adorable, and also low maintenance compared to other pets. Aside from feeding and the occasional clean of their cage, guinea pigs are very easy to handle.
That being said, it is also important for you to regularly check up on your guinea pig. Due to their small size, even the smallest health issue can escalate into something major if it is not taken care of. When you check up on your guinea pig, you should look for abnormal behavior.
One thing I am frequently asked is why a guinea pig gets puffed up. While it might be the sign of a health issue, it could also just be the sign of natural behavior. Today’s article will dig deep into why guinea pigs get puffed up.
Why is my guinea pig puffed up?
The main reasons guinea pigs get puffed up are to assert dominance, keep warm, and show illness. I will breakdown each cause below.
Assert dominance
In the wild, guinea pigs are pack animals, which mean they usually live in small groups. There is certainly an advantage to this, as it allows them create shelters together and find food. However, it is perfectly normal for territorial disputes to arise among guinea pigs. Even though your guinea pig(s) no longer lives in the wild, they still have this natural instinct.
If you have more than one guinea pig in your cage, there is a good chance they are getting puffed up in order to assert their dominance. Similar to cats, a guinea pig will puff up in order to appear bigger to the other guinea. Even if guinea pigs get along most of the time, they still might try to assert dominance over the other.
The key to determine if this is the cause is to look for other signs of aggression. For example, if your guinea pigs are hissing at each other or showing their teeth while puffed up, it is most likely a sign that they are asserting their dominance.
As long as this does not happen frequently, there is no need to worry. However, if it happens more than once a week or your guinea pigs actually attack each other, then this could be a problem. The best way to fix this is to make two designated areas for your guinea pigs. You might also want to feed them separately, so they don’t fight over food.
If that still does not help, you might need to buy a bigger cage so that each guinea pig can have more of their own space.
Temperature
An uncomfortable temperature can also cause your guinea pig to get puffed up. Most of the time this occurs when your guinea pig is too cold. It is important to remember that guinea pigs are originally from warm regions in South America, so they are naturally more comfortable in warm temperatures.
The perfect temperature for a guinea pig is somewhere between 65 and 75 degrees fahrenheight. While it is okay if the temporary dips below 65, but this can cause problems if the temperature is consistently cold.
When the temperature drops, a guinea pig will naturally puff up in order to regulate their body temperature and stay warm. This technique is very similar to homeostasis in humans when we get cold and start to develop goose bumps.
If you suspect temperature is the reason your guinea pig is puffed up, you should try raising the temperature in your house. You can also try adding a small cloth to your cage that your guinea pig can use as a blanket. If you need to leave your guinea pig alone for a day or two, make sure you have the thermostat set to somewhere between 65- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit while you are gone.
Illness
The last, and most serious reason your guinea pig is puffed up is because of an illness. The two most common illnesses that cause a guinea pig to puff up are respiratory illness and dental disease.
Respiratory illness
The most common respiratory illness in guinea pigs is pneumonia. It is caused by the ingestion of bacteria. Your guinea pig can contract bacteria from other pets, and even from air-borne bacteria. The key to treating pneumonia is to detect it quick.
To do this, you should look out for other symptoms associated with pneumonia. A guinea pig with pneumonia will likely have trouble breathing, discharge on their face, or even lethargy.
If you suspect your guinea pig has pneumonia or any other respiratory illness, you should take them to the vet. Your vet will likely prescribe them some antibiotics, which should help cure the illness. To help avoid respiratory illness, make sure to always feed your guinea pig a balanced diet.
Dental disease
Dental disease is another common illness that can cause your guinea pig to puff up, especially near their face. The main cause of dental disease in guinea pigs is the overgrowth of their teeth.
As you are probably aware, guinea pig’s teeth never stop growing. Unfortunately, when they become overgrown, they will start cutting into your guinea pig’s gums or even into their tongue. When this happens, the cuts can cause inflammation and even spurs in their mouth.
In order to prevent this, you should make sure your guinea pig always has access to hay or grass. When your guinea pig chews on hay, it helps file down their teeth so that they don’t grow to an unhealthy length. I personally recommend Timothy Hay.
You can also help prevent your guinea pig from developing dental disease by feeding them a lot of vitamin C.
Common signs of dental disease in guinea pigs are loss of appetite, constant drooling, and weight loss. If you see any of these symptoms, you should take your guinea pig to the vet.
Conclusion
Most of the time when a guinea pig is puffed up, there is nothing to worry about. Just make sure that your guinea pig’s environment is clean and healthy.
If your guinea pig does display symptoms of an illness while they are puffed up, you should consult a vet as soon as possible.