Why is my guinea pig just laying around?

Typically, a guinea pig laying on its side is a sign of a happy, relaxed guinea pig. However, if lying on his side is accompanied by twitching, shortness of breath, or other signs of illness, your guinea pig is ill and should be taken to a vet. Guinea pigs also lie on their sides if they're shocked or scared.
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Why is my guinea pig just laying there?

Guinea pigs lay flat because they feel safe and comfortable enough with you and their surroundings, and they just want to lay still and relax for a while. Most of the time there's no problem with a guinea pig lying down flat because it just shows that it's peaceful enough for them to be able to relax out in the open.
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Why is my guinea pig laying down and not moving?

A guinea pig may lie on his side when he's sick. In this case, he may not want to move, and other symptoms of illness may be evident. Signs of illness include lethargy, difficulty moving, heavy breathing, panting, runny nose, weepy eyes, diarrhea, vomiting or anything else that's not normal for your guinea pig.
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What are the signs of a guinea pig dying?

  • Lack of Appetite. Guinea pigs that are very ill will refuse to eat, and may show signs of weight loss if the appetite loss has persisted for some time. ...
  • Bad Urine and Feces. ...
  • Fever. ...
  • Respiratory Problems. ...
  • Eye Condition. ...
  • Poor Coat Condition. ...
  • Mobility Issues. ...
  • Lethargy.
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Why is my guinea pig not moving around?

Not eating, not moving and decreased fecal production are all considered non-specific signs of disease. What that means is that any disease can lead to the signs you are seeing in your guinea pig. This could be dental disease, liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, toxins, infection — the list just goes on.
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Signs Your Guinea Pig Is Dying



How do I know if my guinea pig is depressed?

Normally, a stressed guinea pig will show signs of irritability and more aggressive displays of behavior, such as head tossing, fidgeting, or teeth-baring. A depressed guinea pig, on the other hand, will become very listless and not display much energy.
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Is my guinea pig dead or hibernating?

If you notice that their body or muscles are stiff, it's a sign that they have died. Guinea pigs often get stiff muscles really quickly – and it only happens after death. (But, keep this in mind. After about 24 hours or so, a piggie that's gone through rigor mortis will lose the stiffness and become floppy and loose.
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Do guinea pigs hide when they are dying?

Guinea pigs are a prey species, which means they try to hide when they feel unwell or sick. A dying guinea pig is likely to hide away, not eat or drink, and not pass pellets.
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What to do if you think your guinea pig is dying?

How to Help a Dying Guinea Pig
  1. See Your Vet: Your vet will be able to let you know exactly what your cavy needs.
  2. Keep Them Company: If you have other guinea pigs, let your cavy spend time with them.
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How long does it take for a guinea pig to pass away?

It can take between one and three days for a guinea pig to die, and though it is important to carefully monitor them during this period, handling is not necessary.
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How do I know if my guinea pig is cold?

How Do I Know If My Guinea Pig Is Too Cold?
  1. If you notice your cavy's ears, nose, or feet are cold to the touch, then their body temperature is too low.
  2. If you have a thermometer, you can use it in their enclosure to see if they're too cold. ...
  3. They'll also shiver and huddle together (if you have more than one).
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What does it mean if your guinea pig is quiet?

Some guinea pigs just “talk” more than others. The only time to be concerned is if your guinea pig suddenly changes his or her routine. A guinea pig who is usually vocal but suddenly becomes quiet, or vice versa, might be signaling that there's a problem. Perhaps he or she isn't feeling well.
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What is the most common cause of death in guinea pigs?

Pneumonia. Pneumonia is actually the leading cause of death in Guinea pigs. It is generally caused by a bacterial infection. Some of the symptoms of pneumonia include wheezing, trouble breathing, discharge from the nose or mouth, weight loss, reddish eyes, and depression.
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Do guinea pigs cry?

So, although we wouldn't consider guinea pigs to cry 'emotional tears', like all mammals their eyes do produce physical tears. This is to keep their eye moist and clean.
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What time of year do guinea pigs hibernate?

No, they don't. In fact, winter is not a natural occurrence to the guinea pig and they will need special care when it gets cold. You may even find that some days in early fall are too cold for guinea pigs.
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Do guinea pigs like to be in the dark?

So, do guinea pigs like the dark? Yes, guinea pigs prefer the dark. They are prey animals and can easily be spotted during daylight hours by predators.
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Do guinea pigs go stiff when they hibernate?

Do Guinea Pigs or Chinchillas Hibernate? No. Neither guinea pigs nor chinchillas hibernate, and it is not safe to keep them at temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
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How do you cheer up a sad guinea pig?

Try to keep food dishes, water bottles, houses, and toys away from the walls of the cage so that your guinea pig has lots of space to run and play. Place all cage accessories in the centre of the cage to create a perimeter around the cage that is free of obstructions for your guinea pig to run around.
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How do you cheer up a lonely guinea pig?

  1. Keeping Your Guinea Pig's Mind Stimulated With Mazes And Puzzles. ...
  2. Teaching Your Guinea Pig Some Simple Tricks. ...
  3. Keeping Their Cage In A Busy Part Of The House. ...
  4. Taking Your Guinea Pig Out Of Their Cage And Playing With Them. ...
  5. Giving Them A Steady Supply Of New Experiences. ...
  6. Letting Your Guinea Pig Listen To Music.
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What does a sad guinea pig sound like?

Teeth chattering, hissing, growling, and whining are all some unhappy guinea pig sounds that your guinea pig may make when they are in discomfort with another piggie.
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What is wrong with my guinea pig?

The following is a brief description of some of the more common problems of guinea pigs, which include respiratory infections, diarrhea, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), tumors, abscesses due to infection, urinary problems, and infestations by lice, mites, or fungus.
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Should I bury my guinea pig?

You should bury your pet at least three feet (around 3/4 of a metre) below the surface to avoid wild animals (and other pets) disturbing their graves. We always place a large slab or rock upon the top to not only mark the grave but again to reduce the chances of anything digging there.
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What sounds do guinea pigs make when happy?

A contented Guinea pig will make a low purring sound, whereas an annoyed piggy may make a more high pitched purr, with this increasing in pitch towards the end. She may also vibrate a bit as well. Purring may also indicate fear, if it's very short, and your piggy is motionless.
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Why does my guinea pig vibrate when I pet her?

Good vibrations

When petting your guinea pig, you may notice it start to vibrate. Much like when cats purr, these vibrations show that they are at ease and are in a good mood. This response is more commonly seen in younger guinea pigs, a characteristic that they grow out of as they get older.
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