Guinea Pig foot spurs are small, hard growths that form on guinea pigs’ feet. While usually not dangerous, they can be painful and cause limping if they grow too large.
In some cases, foot spurs may need to be surgically removed. Thankfully, there are a few ways to help prevent foot spurs from forming in the first place. Keep reading for more information.
What Is Foot Spur In Guinea Pigs?
Foot spur in guinea pigs is a flap of tough skin that form on their feet. It is very easy to remove these spurs with the help of nail clippers. When clipping these spurs, avoid accidental tearing so bleeding may not occur. The type of flooring or bedding does not affect the development of spur.
How to remove guinea pig foot spur?
Removing a foot spur from a guinea pig is very similar to clipping a large nail or hang nail on a human. Below are the steps you should take to remove the foot spur:
- Have one person press down on your guinea pig’s back so that they are still. You might want to pet them a couple times to make sure they are comfortable and not scared.
- With one hand, gently grab the end of your guinea pigs leg so that you have access to their foot.
- Next, carefully clip the foot spur with nail clippers. Make sure you don’t clip too close to the skin/base of the foot, as this can be very painful. Stop if you see any blood or your guinea pig starts to cry.
- If the foot spurt has hardened too much, you should try soaking your guinea pig’s foot in water to soften it up.
- After you have clipped the foot spur, I recommend that you clean your guinea pig’s cage every day for a week. This will help prevent any infection in your guinea pig’s foot.
Related: How to treat a guinea pig cyst at home
How to prevent foot spurs in guinea pigs
While the exact cause of foot spurs is not known, you can help prevent them from growing too long by regularly inspecting your guinea pig’s feet. If you notice that your guinea pig frequently licks their foot or cries in pain a lot, it could be a sign they have a foot spur. To learn more, check out my article on all the different types of guinea pig noises so that you can know if yours is in pain. A guinea pig with a foot spur might also start to limp or walk differently.
Once your confirm that your guinea pig has a foot spur, you should try to remove it right away. The sooner you clip the foot spur, the better. It might also be good to bathe your guinea pig every now and again in order to maintain proper hygiene.
Are foot spurs dangerous for guinea pigs?
While foot spurs themselves are not dangerous to guinea pigs, they can lead to a wide range of problems. For example, if the spur grows long enough, it might start to get caught on things such as bedding. If this happens, it can make it very difficult for your guinea pig to walk.
Additionally, if a foot spur starts to tear on its own, it can expose a cut on your guinea pig’s foot. This cut could then become infected, which could be a serious problem. In the worst cases, it can even cause a fungal infection.
Lastly, foot spurs can become very painful if they grow too long. If your guinea pig is constantly in pain, it might effect their natural behavior. For example, your guinea pig might stop eating or drinking water. It can also take a toll on your guinea pig’s mental health, which can lead to a wide range of other problems.
How common are foot spurs in guinea pigs?
Foot spurs typically occur in around 25% of all pet guinea pigs.