Do Guinea Pigs Have Lips?
For starters, yes, guinea pigs do have lips. It can sometimes be hard to see a guinea pig’s lips because they are tucked under their nose. The top part of a guinea pig’s lips is actually connected to their nose. There is usually a small crease in the middle of a guinea pig’s top lip.
The lower part of a guinea pig’s lips is much bigger than the top. A guinea pig’s lower lip is usually visible, especially when they eat or drink. Check out some cute pictures below of some guinea pig lips.
Pictures of Guinea Pig Lips
Signs of illness in guinea pigs
Your guinea pig’s lips can help you diagnose health issues.
Dry Lips
For example, if your guinea pig’s lips are dry, it could be a sign that your guinea pig is dehydrated. Dry lips can also be a result of scurvy. Scurvy occurs when your guinea pig doesn’t eat enough vitamin C.
Crusty or Peeling Lips
Sometimes, a guinea pig’s lips will become crusty or start peeling if they are suffering from a bacterial infection. While it is not very common, the bacterial infection can cause small bumps to appear on the guinea pig’s lips. If you notice bumps on your guinea pig’s lips, you should take him/her to the vet.
Rash on Lips
If your guinea pig has a rash on their lips, there is a chance they have ringworms. Rashes from ringworms usually appear on the guinea pig’s face around the nose or mouth. These rashes usually have a circular shape. Mites can also cause a rash to appear on or near your guinea pig’s lips. If your guinea pig has ringworm or mites, you should isolate them immediately and clean their cage. You can learn more on my article: Guinea Pig Ringworm Pictures
Discharge on guinea pig’s lips
Sometimes, your guinea pig might have discharge on their lips. This is usually dried up mucus that drains from their nose. Most of the time, this does not signal a health issue, and you should just wipe their lips with a clean cloth. However, if the discharge persists, it might be a sign that your guinea pig has a respiratory illness.