The guinea pig suddenly begins to twitch and rush around the cage: why does this happen and is it dangerous?

Guinea pigs usually behave calmly and evenly, but sometimes their behavior deviates from the usual. They may begin to behave inappropriately and in a frightening manner: jumping, continuously running around the cage, twitching, etc. There is no single answer to why a pet loses self-control and begins to behave so strangely. Such manifestations can be caused by various reasons.

Necessary for care

Like any other pet, a guinea pig requires a wide variety of grooming accessories. These include:

• cage or aquarium;
• feeder;
• sippy cup;
• house;
• filler;
• mineral stone;
• toys;
• carrying;
• hygiene products;
• brush-comb and nail clipper.

Cage or aquarium

Keeping a guinea pig is allowed both in an aquarium and in a cage. The main condition is size: the dwelling must be at least 50 cm in length and 30 cm in height so that the animal can move comfortably. If you have decided on a cage, then it is best to take a closer look at the options that have a plastic bottom. Plastic is quite easy to care for, it is easy to wash, dry, etc. A wooden base is not suitable due to the fact that these animals drink a lot of liquid per day, and therefore excrete a large amount of urine. The wood will simply become unusable in a very short time. You can purchase an aquarium in the above sizes. It, like a cage with a plastic bottom, is easy to wash and clean. But you should be careful, since glass is a very fragile material and when moving it, for example, to another room, you should follow safety rules (the pet should not be in the aquarium, it should be transferred to a carrier).

cell

Feeder

The feeder should be heavy enough so that the guinea pig cannot knock it over. An excellent option would be bowls made of ceramics, stainless steel, etc. It is also recommended to buy 2-3 containers. For example, one will be used for vegetables or fruits, and the second for dry food.

Sippy cup

A vertical ball sippy cup is perfect for a guinea pig. It is usually made of plastic with a metal tip. In such a drinking bowl there is no need to change the water daily, but this is done about 2-3 times a week.

House

Be sure to install a small house in the cage or aquarium. Your pet will sleep in it, relax, or simply retire when he wants to be alone. Most often, such houses are made of wood with a round “door” cut out in the middle. The most optimal size is 25 cm in length and 15 cm in height. This space is enough for the animal to hide and at the same time feel comfortable.

house

Filler

When arranging the cage, do not forget about the bedding. It will create comfort in the cage, prevent the animal from freezing and, to some extent, maintain cleanliness. You can use sawdust or ground corn cobs as a filler. Under no circumstances put cotton wool, newspaper, paper, etc. in the cage as bedding, as this is not safe for your pet’s health.

Mineral stone

To maintain dental health and calcium levels in your guinea pig's body, mineral stone is essential. After all, it serves not only as a vitamin complex, but also perfectly helps the animal grind its teeth. This stone is sold in a pet store, and its price is quite affordable.

stone

Toys

Guinea pigs are somewhat similar in behavior to decorative rabbits. They love to play. Therefore, be sure to buy some interesting and funny toy for your pet, for example, a tunnel, a hammock, a mirror, a rolling wheel, etc. The game will not only bring joy and pleasure to the animal, but will also strengthen muscles, and will also be an excellent preventive measure against obesity.

Carrying

If your plans did not include traveling together or any trips with your guinea pig, then you will still need a carrier. Transporting an animal in your arms, in a box or blanket is strictly prohibited. For example, you need to visit a veterinarian or transport the animal to another house or apartment; in such life situations, a carrier will definitely help you out. The pig will feel safe and the transportation process will go smoothly.

Hygiene products

Guinea pigs are considered clean animals, but sometimes they are still allowed to be bathed. For such cases, it is necessary to use special hygiene products that can be purchased at a pet store. The most popular of them:

• "Biogance" - bio-perfume;
• "Veda" - wheat shampoo.

Brush-comb and nail clipper

Caring for your guinea pig's coat and claws is extremely important. To do this, you need to purchase a special comb with soft bristles (combing is done daily), as well as a nail clipper for trimming the claws (the procedure is performed as they lengthen).

What can you do at home?

Mild diarrhea. The general condition of the animal is good, but the droppings are thin and light. Eliminate green and succulent food from your diet; instead, give hay and warm chamomile tea, as well as willow branches and grated carrots. Make sure the litter is dry. If the droppings are not hard after two days, contact your veterinarian.

Constipation. If the so-called perineal pocket around the anus is filled with feces, gently squeeze it out and remove it with a damp cotton swab. If small, hard balls of stool appear, first check whether the drinking bowl is functioning correctly, since in most cases the cause of constipation is simply not enough water in the automatic drinking bowl. For several days, eliminate grain food from the diet and give your guinea pig cucumber or melon. If there is no improvement within 24 hours, contact your veterinarian. Allergic runny nose. Eliminate possible causes of this runny nose, such as dusty hay or harsh cleaning products that produce fumes. If in doubt, contact your veterinarian.

Heatstroke. If your guinea pig begins to move restlessly from side to side, itches and trembles all over, immediately place it in the shade and offer water at room temperature. The body should be carefully wrapped in a cool, damp towel, and the animal should be calmed with gentle stroking.

Guinea pig diet. If your guinea pig begins to gain weight, you need to put it on a diet. Fat animals are slower and more susceptible to disease. Give the animal only 40-60 g of succulent food per day and reduce the dose of the main food. Let your guinea pig go for walks often. Make her do various “exercises”, for example, put the lettuce on some elevation or place an obstacle on the way to the feeder so that the animal is forced to climb for food.

Veterinarian at home SAO

Refusal of food. Sometimes it happens that due to some illness a guinea pig refuses to feed. Only a veterinarian can answer the question of whether it can be cured with forced feeding. Refusal to feed has various reasons.

Misaligned teeth or bite problems are a serious hindrance to eating for guinea pigs. If the incisors and molars are incorrectly positioned, they grow continuously, and the animal is simply unable to take food.

A guinea pig may starve due to missing its mate, which can lead to its death. In most cases, a guinea pig, left alone, is very worried, sits in the corner of the cage and does not eat anything, because it cannot bear the loss of a friend. Even if she does not refuse food, this does not mean at all that the animal feels well. In any case, it is better to add a new partner to her. She will probably enjoy the company of a young guinea pig aged 6-10 weeks. As the animals get used to each other, act carefully and give them the opportunity to establish contact.

Diseases

Sometimes endoparasites or lice eaters can get on an animal's fur. They cause itchy skin. Therefore, the guinea pig itches and jumps, and also makes other restless, chaotic movements. In addition, the animal often shakes itself.

It is important to regularly check the condition of your pet's coat, especially for long-haired breeds. You need to examine your skin at least once a week

The onset of the disease may be accompanied by redness and peeling. Later wounds appear. If such symptoms are detected, you should consult a specialist. Help can be provided by a veterinarian who will select the necessary medications and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Diseases dangerous to people

Guinea pigs can be a source or carrier of diseases that are dangerous to humans. You can become infected with skin or intestinal parasites from an animal. Roundworms cause strongyloidiasis, and giardia causes giardiasis. Liver fluke can cause severe liver disease, which in most cases is fatal. From a guinea pig, a breeder can acquire diseases caused by bacteria and viruses: salmonellosis, tuberculosis and leptospirosis. The most commonly transmitted skin disease is lichen. Regular flu can be transmitted both from the breeder to the animal, and from the animal to the breeder. Avoiding infection is not difficult: you need to keep the cages clean, wash your hands after each cage cleaning, as well as after interacting with the animal, and avoid getting saliva or animal hair in your mouth. Any illness in an animal - use a disposable medical mask.

When to contact a veterinarian

By carefully observing the animal, you can determine its condition and notice the onset of diseases in time. Sometimes the reasons for overexcitement of a rodent inside the home are so serious that it is impossible to do without the intervention of a doctor.

An alarming sign is the animal running and stopping to gnaw at the bars of the cage. This behavior indicates serious dental problems. In this case, contacting a doctor is mandatory.

It’s even worse if the animal is lethargic but restless. For example, when a guinea pig lies on its side, twitching its paws and head, this is a reason to be seriously alarmed. With this behavior of the animal, there is a high chance of contracting helminthiasis or gastrointestinal pathology. The rodent should be taken to the vet immediately.

It happens that a guinea pig jumps and twitches because it is bothered by itchy skin. The cause of the disease is lice-eating parasites. When examining the fur, skin redness and peeling may be detected. If no measures are taken, wounds will form in these areas. The sooner the animal gets to the veterinarian and begins treatment, the shorter the entire period of getting rid of parasites will be.

When buying a guinea pig, you need to find out how often the previous owners worked with the animal, what they taught it. Then it will be easier to draw conclusions about the reasons for changes in the pet’s behavior.

It is normal for most of these rodents to express their joy through popcorning, and this occurs in all known breeds. Therefore, if your pet is healthy, he has enough movement and jumps up, just be happy.

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Return to the cage

Another option when a guinea pig jumps is to return the animal back to the cage. The rodent enjoys familiar surroundings and smells; this is also a natural reaction of the pig and there is no need to worry in this case.

Sometimes it happens that a guinea pig jumps out of the owner's arms, and the owner allows and even encourages this behavior of the animal.

Remember! Your pet may fall and injure its paws if it actively jumps from your hands. Therefore, he should be weaned from such behavior in the future.

To do this, holding the animal tightly, you need to stick your hands inside the home and hold them a few centimeters from the floor. The pig needs to be held until it calms down. Then carefully place the pet on the floor, but do not let go until the rodent gives up its attempts to escape from you. You need to hold it carefully so as not to damage the back. This lesson may need to be repeated several times.

How much space does a guinea pig take up: cage arrangement

If you want to get a pig because there is not enough space in your apartment for a cat or dog, give up this idea. A guinea pig takes up more space than the largest cat and makes more noise.

You cannot keep a pig in:

• Aquarium/terrarium;
• Closed cage "dune";
• Hamster cage;
• Multi-tiered high cage for birds, chinchillas, rats.

The ideal option is an enclosure, but it is rarely built in an apartment. The cage should be one-story, 120-150 cm in length to accommodate 2-3 animals. The bigger the better, but even a spacious cage does not satisfy the need for movement, and rodents need to be allowed out of the cage for a walk (6 hours a day).

It may seem that a large cage requires a lot of filler, but in fact this is not the case: you will have to change the bedding less often than in a small cage. Bedding options:

• Paper filler;
• Wood or corn pellets combined with sawdust;
• Sawdust.

The filler should be applied in a thick layer (5 cm), changing as it gets dirty. Under it, on the bottom, you can lay an absorbent diaper. Abroad, fleece fabric is often placed on top of the filling. Fleece allows urine to flow downwards, drying instantly, and solid feces are easy to clean up. This type of bedding needs to be washed regularly.

Tunnels, houses, bridges made of ceramics or wood are placed in the cage. There are special toys for pigs - pipes made of hay, wicker balls made of straw. You can hang fabric hammocks or set up beds, but they will have to be washed often.

Prohibited:

• wheel (any size);
• walking ball;
• plastic things.

Nutrition

In order for your pet to feel good and not get sick, you should feed it properly. Guinea pigs are unpretentious eaters. They need to be given food in the morning and evening. The pet's diet mainly consists of dry food:

• hay;
• clover, dandelions, plantain, nettle;
• straw;
• cereals (millet, flax seeds, oats and sunflower seeds);
• cherry, currant, raspberry, gooseberry, pear and apple leaves;
• birch, maple, oak bark and their leaves;
• legumes (beans, lentils, peas).

You can use food purchased at pet stores. Just don’t change them often to avoid developing gastrointestinal upset. The cage should also contain mineral salt wheels and chalk so that the guinea pig receives all the substances necessary for growth and a full life.

Wet food should be included in the diet in minimal quantities - approximately 7 grams per kilogram of the pig's weight. These foods include carrots, apples, pears, beets, bell peppers, lettuce, zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin, and turnips. In the summer, you can pamper your pet with carrot and beet tops, corn leaves, and pea branches.

It is forbidden to feed your guinea pig potatoes, various cereals, cottage cheese, watermelon, sweets, and salty foods. It is also prohibited to give winter cucumbers, plums, spinach, eggs, fish, meat, green onions, radishes, mushrooms and bread. Before treating your pet with herbs and vegetables, they must be thoroughly washed and dried.

Since these rodents love to drink, you need to make sure that the water in the sippy cup is always fresh. It needs to be changed every day. For such purposes, only purified or filtered water is suitable. You should absolutely not use tap or boiled water.

What the sounds of guinea pigs tell us

From the first minutes of the appearance of a guinea pig, your house will be filled with a variety of sounds: whistling, squealing, grumbling, grunting and other sounds that this cute animal makes. All this is an expression of satisfaction, fear, aggression, or a warning to comrades about impending danger.

The sounds you hear from your guinea pig express his mood at the moment. Over time, you will learn to understand your pet well. We will talk about the basic sounds and their interpretation:

The most common sound a guinea pig makes is a sharp whistle, which is repeated at intervals of about a second. This is a signal to greet the owner when the pig is hungry and it is time to feed. The sound is similar to "whip, whip." These same sounds may indicate that your baby is demanding attention.

If your pet whistles softly and squeals gently, it means he is satisfied!

Grunting and sniffing another individual indicates a friendly greeting.

Grunting and rattling, similar to drumming, indicate a greeting to other individuals, and the male thus attracts the attention of the female, and indicates readiness for the mating ritual. It's like he's saying "brrr." A higher, shorter "brrr" means the guinea pig is irritated or frightened by the loud noise.

For example, she can react to a nearby phone ringing or the sound of a TV, loud or unfamiliar voices around

A higher, shorter "brrr" means your guinea pig is irritated or startled by a loud noise. For example, she can react to a nearby phone ringing or the sound of a TV, loud or unfamiliar voices around.

A high-pitched and loud piercing squeak, similar to a groan, stopping only with inspiration, means that the guinea pig is in pain.

Tapping and clicking teeth indicate that the pig is angry and ready to attack (this happens mainly if two males meet). This sound also indicates that the guinea pig is afraid of another individual or person.

These animals are not only talkative, but also active. You can tell a lot about the state of the animal by their behavior and body movements.

If individuals touch their noses, this means that they are sniffing and greeting each other. Stretching out on the floor signifies comfort and tranquility. Jumping up indicates your pet is in a good mood and is playful. Throwing its head up indicates that the animal is demonstrating strength. If a guinea pig begins to purr and lowers its head, this means that the animal is scared and offers to make peace. The guinea pig's tapping its teeth and creaking indicate aggression, thus it warns its opponent that jokes are bad. Stretching your head forward indicates vigilance. If a guinea pig has its paws tucked in or pressed against a wall, it means that it is helpless and requires protection. The female opens her mouth wide and shows her teeth - thus driving away the annoying male

To distract the enemy's attention, the guinea pig has to freeze in place and pretend to be dead.

The guinea pig is a unique creature. It will never cease to amaze you if you want to know more about this animal. Finally, let’s talk about interesting facts related to guinea pigs:

• It’s impossible to believe looking at this small rodent, but the ancestors of guinea pigs are huge creatures that weighed up to 700 kg.
• Guinea pigs are most active at night. The animal sleeps only about 10 minutes, and they sleep several times a day.
• Don't be alarmed if your guinea pig starts eating its own droppings. With these actions, it compensates for the lack of vitamins B and K in the body. When passing through the intestines again, these vitamins are better absorbed.
• Guinea pigs have the opposite number of chromosomes to humans. A person has 46 of them, and a guinea pig has 64.
• Under unfavorable or stressful conditions, a pregnant female guinea pig can “preserve” the pregnancy for several years or “absorb” the embryos.
• The longest fur of guinea pigs reaches 50 cm. This is a feature of Peruvian rodents.
• Penicillin is deadly to guinea pigs.
• A fall even from a low height can end disastrously for an animal, and can even be fatal.
• In the wild, guinea pigs live in burrows in small groups. Animals communicate with each other using special signals, which we talked about.
• When they appeared in Europe, the animals cost a lot of money and only the nobility could afford such a pet. In England, guinea pigs lived at court and were the favorites of Queen Elizabeth I.

Negative signals

A frightened guinea pig will say a dull “Urrrr”, similar to a vibrating alert on a phone, and will tremble slightly. But she indicates irritation with a short sharp squeal - for example, when you carelessly touched her. If the pig is angry, it squeals for a longer time, while clicking its teeth, as if warning: “I’m not in the mood for jokes!”

One of the most impressive sounds a pig makes can be heard at night. This is a very sharp intermittent squeak, similar to the cry of a bird caught in a snare. At the same time, the pig freezes in place, her gaze glazes over. An inexperienced owner may be afraid for his pet. This sound is used by pigs to call their relatives. Little pig babies can express their fear this way.

Since guinea pigs are herd animals, they find it sad to live alone. If your pig makes this noise frequently, try petting your pig more often or give him a buddy in his cage.

If the pig is hungry, you won't miss it. She will stand up and scream shrilly throughout the apartment: “Wee-wee-wee!”, moving her ears. It’s amazing how loud such a small animal can be! Guinea pigs study their owners. They usually remember sounds, such as the sound of a knife hitting a cutting board when preparing a salad or the rustle of a bag from which cabbage is taken out. Subsequently, upon hearing these sounds, the pigs whistle invitingly. They also have a well-developed sense of smell. So you’re unlikely to be able to quietly snack on a cucumber; the alarm will immediately go off!

Popcorning in guinea pigs is a condition of an animal in which its behavior is, at first glance, inappropriate: chaotic running, jumping, convulsions. This looks unusual, but should not cause panic. This playful state is natural and safe. However, its signs are similar to those of some diseases, so it is important to correctly interpret your pet’s behavior.

Cons of guinea pigs: 7 fly in the ointment

There is nothing worse than disappointment from a pet. A responsible person will continue to care for the animal, but these responsibilities will not bring joy. When such an animal is gone, the owner will feel both shame and relief, but not sadness. An irresponsible person will simply get rid of an inconvenient pet, and it’s good if he finds good hands for it and does not throw it in the trash.

Before getting a guinea pig, you need to learn about the characteristics of these animals, which not everyone will like:

They make a lot of noise

Guinea pigs not only constantly chew on something, they love to dig into the litter and run around the cage. And they are capable of making a huge number of sounds. Pigs whistle shrilly, squeak, squeal, grumble, chirp, and grind their teeth.

Owners find begging to be a particularly annoying habit. As soon as you slam the refrigerator door or walk past the cage, the pig starts screaming, demanding attention or a treat.

If there are several pets, then they will talk to each other out loud, whistling about something of their own. Talkativeness is the main difference between pigs and other rodents and rabbits.

They litter and get dirty

Guinea pigs love to dig around the bedding, scattering sawdust, hay, food and their own poop around the cage. Daily housekeeping will be required to keep the room clean. In addition to cleaning around the cage, you need to regularly change the filler.

It is impossible to train a guinea pig to a litter box; it eats and poops constantly. Therefore, when you release an animal for a walk, expect to find traces of its activity everywhere.

They are afraid of people, but cannot stand loneliness

At the genetic level, the pig suspects that everyone wants to eat it. Despite the fact that these animals are not aggressive, you should not expect friendliness, trust and a desire to communicate from them either. You will have to spend time accustoming the pig to your hands. A pet can be wary of people for a long time, hiding in the house every time they try to pick it up.

However, under no circumstances should you leave the pig alone. They literally waste away and die of boredom. Ideally, you need communication with relatives. That is, in order for the pig to be happy, you must purchase two or more same-sex animals and paw them less, watching the idyll from afar.

May cause allergies

If one of your family members is allergic to cats or other animals or prone to asthma, you cannot hope that they will not be allergic to a rodent. You can check the reaction to an allergen in guinea pigs in the laboratory, or even more reliably - talk to friends or a breeder for some time with the animals.

Not only the pigs themselves can irritate the respiratory tract, but also dust from sawdust and hay, which must be present in the cage 24 hours a day.

Expensive veterinary care

These rodents have fragile health and are difficult to treat. Infectious diseases in almost 100% of cases end in death, a draft threatens pneumonia, open sunlight - heat stroke. Most often, pigs get sick from improper feeding: forbidden food causes bloating, diarrhea, and poisoning.

An ordinary veterinarian is unlikely to be able to help: the body of guinea pigs is fundamentally different from that of cats and dogs. Find out in advance whether there is a rodent specialist in your city - a rodentologist (ratologist). If not, contact experienced guinea pig breeders.

Seeing a rodentologist is an expensive pleasure. The most common reason for contacting such a specialist is the pathological growth of teeth in mumps (not only the incisors, but also the chewing teeth located deep in the mouth). If teeth are not properly ground down, they are filed under general anesthesia.

Primitive behavior

A guinea pig cannot be trained like a dog. You shouldn't expect too much from them at all. The most sociable rodents can respond to their name, but teaching them commands is a hopeless idea. They also do not take any active part in games, preferring to simply run around the room and chew everything they can get their teeth on.

Coprophagia

Like rabbits, pigs eat their own droppings. Not those solid cylinders that they leave on the litter, but the “primary” liquid, underdigested feces. The pig catches it directly from the anus, curling up into a ball.

For pigs this is absolutely normal and necessary, that’s what Mother Nature came up with. But some people find this feature off-putting.

What is popcorning

Many inexperienced pig owners wonder why the big tooth suddenly starts jumping, twitching, skipping and running around its home. There is no need to be afraid, most likely this is the so-called popcorning, a natural and harmless phenomenon. Your pet is just having fun, so he runs around the cage, showing joy as best he can. The term itself comes from the word "popcorn", when the corn is cooked, it shoots and flies in different directions, this is very similar to the behavior of a guinea pig when it is happy.

As a rule, this condition is typical for young animals, but quite adult pets can express joy in this way. The guinea pig is a sociable and companionable pet. Ideally, you should get several animals at once, this will make it easier for them to adapt to a new cage and strangers. If you have one animal, then you need to devote as much time as possible to it and know all the nuances of the furry’s behavior.

Important! This phenomenon is contagious; if one pig starts to “go crazy”, then soon all the rodents living in the house will be running around the cage or jumping in place.

As a rule, this condition is typical for young animals, but quite adult pets can express joy in this way.

The reasons may be different:

• fed with your favorite food;
• returned to the cage after being held;
• natural joy caused by good health.

But sometimes such behavior can be caused by negative reasons, so you need to very carefully monitor the condition of the fluffy.

Important! This phenomenon is contagious; if one pig starts to “go crazy”, then soon all the rodents living in the house will be running around the cage or jumping in place.

The joy of returning to the cage

These animals are very calm and non-conflict creatures. They, unlike scratching cats and biting dogs, do not strive to stand up for themselves. In the wild, pigs run away from the enemy and hide in hard-to-reach places. Therefore, when you take your pet in your arms, despite the fact that outwardly he is completely calm, he is actually very scared. The subsequent return to the rodent's cage means the restoration of conditions in which it feels comfortable or protected. Naturally, the animal will show joy in every possible way - jumping, running and twitching in different directions.

Other reasons

The reasons why your pet exhibits popcorn behavior can be different. Experienced breeders summarize them in two words - natural joy. Perhaps the rodent was fed its favorite nuts or zucchini. He can wake up and feel good because his stomach has stopped hurting, etc. Any individual pig will have its own reason for joy, the main thing for its owner is not to worry, but to take a close look at the fluffy to understand what it is the condition is caused.

Did you know? Pigs are divided into three main types: English or American - with short fur, Peruvian - with a straight, silky coat, and Abyssinian - with dense fur, decorated with small funnels.

Features of manifestation

Popcorning in guinea pigs manifests itself differently in each animal, but there are common features. A rodent can:

• Jump high;
• turn over during a jump, doing a somersault;
• actively wave its paws;
• it is unusual to twist the fifth point;
• rush in a circle at high speed;
• try to overcome invisible obstacles;
• make loud, unusual noises (squeaking, squealing, or muttering);
• fall to the floor of the cage as if in a fit;
• quickly jerk your head;
• convulse.

The duration of the attack is about 6 minutes, but more protracted cases also occur.

When pig farmers see this picture for the first time, they may panic. Owners have thoughts about their pet's insanity or nervous system disorder.

We can safely say that there is no need to worry, this is the norm for a rodent.

conclusions

Why do guinea pigs jump? Often this happens because they are happy with everything and simply enjoy life. This is mainly typical for young people, but older pigs can also run and jump, although not very high. In some cases, the owners themselves teach the animals various tricks, including jumping and running in circles. Perhaps you got an already trained pet.

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What to do if your guinea pig gives birth

A day after giving birth, you need to briefly remove the female from the cage and inspect the litter. If dead or non-viable cubs are found, they are removed from the cage. In this case, you need to be careful and not touch living and healthy individuals. Before and after the procedure, you must wash your hands with laundry soap. Complete cleaning of the cage is carried out only three days after the birth.

If the male lived in the same cage with the female, after the birth of the offspring he is moved to another place. Living together can provoke re-fertilization, which will ultimately negatively affect the health of the female. This will increase the likelihood of the death of the first offspring. In addition, it is not uncommon for adult males to kill newborns. Therefore, the mother remains alone in the cage with her brood.

There are cases of postpartum shock in the female, when she does not care for the cubs, but tries to move as far away as possible. In this case, she needs to be briefly separated from the offspring and calmed down with affection or special treats. In the absence of the mother, a heating pad is placed in the cage to prevent the pigs from freezing. It usually doesn't take long for the female to calm down.

As a rule, a nursing mother has enough milk for her entire litter. Otherwise, milk or cream is added to her diet. This will help the body replenish its supply of nutrients.

Sometimes the appearance of weak and non-viable cubs occurs. This happens for the following reasons:

• Malposition.
• Large litter - the more individuals in the litter, the smaller and weaker each of them will turn out.
• Early birth, premature animals have poor fur and soft claws.

Weak piglets are characterized by small size and lethargy (cannot roll over or raise their head). Females do not care for such cubs. You can try to feed such animals yourself, but they have little chance of survival.

How does it manifest?

Popcorn attacks can cause fear and panic in an inexperienced owner. At these moments the animals:

• quickly run in circles;
• jump and twitch while jumping;
• they squeak and squeal loudly;
• periodically fall;
• shaking and turning their heads.

The process lasts 5–7 minutes, but there are also protracted cases. There is no need to be afraid of such scenes. This is not a sign of rabies or mental problems, but a natural manifestation of increased excitability of the animal. In such cases, the pig is released from the cage so that it splashes out energy and does not get injured in a cramped space. After the “fun” the animal calms down and falls asleep. Young individuals are susceptible to attacks more often than adults.

Expert opinion

Experts say that guinea pigs periodically eat their droppings to restore their intestinal microflora, just like other herbivores. This phenomenon is called coprophagy, it is considered completely normal and physiologically necessary for life, so there is no need to prohibit animals from doing this.

Zoologists claim that the microflora of the guinea pig’s cecum synthesizes substances necessary for the body:

• enzymes; B vitamins; amino acids; vitamins K.

At the first meal, these microelements are not absorbed in the body, so animals eat their feces and reabsorb the substances they contain.

Initially, rodents eat grass, hay and food, which contain a large amount of fiber, which does not have time to be digested immediately. As food particles pass through the gastrointestinal tract, they are influenced by bacteria, which break down food into amino acids. After the waste products have come out, the animal eats them, and all the substances are normally absorbed in the body for the second time. Thus, the pet's intestines will function normally.

How to understand what your pet wants?

Squeaking is a way of communicating with relatives and humans. Guinea pigs have a wide range of sounds, each of which means something. Over time, every owner of a pet rodent begins and must learn to understand the language of a small pet. Let's try to understand some of them.

• A persistent, incessant squeak at intervals of one or two seconds indicates the pet’s obvious hunger.
• Compassionate - speaks of fear or fear in cubs. Older pigs that are kept alone are trying to attract attention and have some fun.
• The cooing is somewhat reminiscent of the clucking of a hen - the pig is well-fed, happy with life and is in a great mood - for her at this moment the world is beautiful and impeccable.
• “Grunting” is an expression of friendliness when meeting other relatives. The same sound can mean that the pig is busy with something very exciting.
• Growling - this basically indicates the pet’s fear of an opponent who is stronger than him. By the way, this opponent can also be a person - that’s why a guinea pig squeaks when you pet it. Having heard a menacing, or rather frightened roar, accompanied by the clicking of teeth, it is better to leave the pet alone before he uses his sharp teeth;
• The rattling purr indicates mating games - this is how the male attracts the attention of the lady of his heart and courts her. If suddenly the female has no desire to communicate with the opposite sex or she is not ready for mating, then in response she will begin to bare her teeth and growl.
• A piercing loud sound that you wouldn’t expect to hear from such a small creature, more like a groan, a way of talking about pain. You cannot ignore such a squeak, otherwise you may pay with the life or health of the baby.

Guinea pigs are interesting and even mysterious creatures that give the joy of communication to their owners. By learning to understand and feel furry rodents, you can always achieve perfect harmony in the relationship between pet and person.

Origin

Skinny is a relatively new breed. Naturally, animals with such data cannot live in the wild. In 1978, within the walls of the Armand Frapper Institute, in Montreal, Canada, the fact of a new mutation of a hairless pig, which appeared naturally, was officially recorded and described. This is where the history of the breed could have ended if the phenomenon had not repeated itself in 1984. The bald white pig gave scientists the idea of ​​​​breeding radically hairless pigs.

As a result, the first female was given the nickname Skinny. Later this nickname grew into the official name of the breed. Translated as skin and bones.

The first hairless animals bred were used exclusively for dermatological research. Their immune system is similar to humans.

Scientists worked hard on the breed, increasing the animal's endurance. To strengthen immunity at the genetic level, she was crossed with selfies. As a result, the animals left the walls of the laboratory and ended up in the homes of guinea pig lovers with a fairly strong immune system. However, even today, Canadian breeders recommend updating the skinny's blood every two generations to maintain the animal's immune system.

Nutrition composition

A very important component of a healthy life for a guinea pig is nutrition. This animal is forbidden to starve, not because the body needs nutrients, but because these animals lack peristalsis

This feature is that processed food can leave the intestines only if new food arrives, in other words, a new piece of food pushes through the already processed one.

But you should be very attentive and careful, you cannot leave them hungry, but it is also prohibited to overfeed them, because this can lead to obesity, which is also dangerous for the animal.

Therefore, you need to approach the organization of your diet as responsibly as possible, adhering to the daily nutrition standards:

• 60% is feed.
• 20% - vegetables and fruits.
• 20% - hay, branches of fruit trees, crackers.

We must not forget about vitamins and minerals. The animal must always have clean water.

Not enough vitamins?

Don't forget to feed your pet with vitamins. The animal itches, has a rash on its skin, and hair falls out. The pet is apathetic and inactive. Sometimes he gets constipated.

If a concerned owner takes a sick pet to the veterinarian, and the tests done do not confirm the presence of any parasites, a diagnosis can be made: vitamin deficiency. Most often it manifests itself in the winter-spring off-season and is associated with a lack of succulent feed containing vitamin C.

What to do in this case? Treatment is extremely simple: you need to increase the portions of such feed. You can also add ascorbic acid to drinking water - no more than 1 mg per liter of liquid.

Experts highly recommend placing a bunch of fresh parsley in the cage, rich in this vitamin and loved by guinea pigs.

It is also necessary to provide the sick rodent with a quiet and warm place so that the weakened body does not catch a cold, which can lead to pneumonia.

Why does a guinea pig jump, twitch and shake its head - popcorning (video)

The peculiarities of rodents manage to surprise even experienced breeders, and beginners are completely stumped when trying to figure out why a guinea pig jumps, twitches and shakes its head.

Faced with this behavior, inexperienced owners are horrified and suspect rabies and other incurable diseases.

Let's figure out what this behavior of the animal means and whether there are good reasons for panic.

Return to the cage

If your guinea pig is jumping around the cage, this may be a reaction to the animal returning to it after a walk. Familiar smells and surroundings bring the animal into joyful excitement. This reaction is normal, so the owner should not worry. It happens that a pet constantly jumps off his hands, and the owner approves of this. Under no circumstances should you allow your pig to behave this way. If she actively jumps from the owner's hands into the cage and back, she may injure herself on the bars or injure her paws. Therefore, it is better to wean the animal from a bad habit.

The pet must be held tightly when inserted into the house, but not released. The pig will have to be held until it calms down. Then the rodent must be quietly placed on the floor. Do not put pressure on the animal's back to avoid damaging the spine. If the pig still breaks out of your hands, you will have to repeat your actions a couple of times.

Basic moments

Crazy jumps around the cage are not a cause for concern, but a reason for joy. The galloping animal is not sick, but happy and splashes out its accumulated energy.

Popcorning is crazy jumps and somersaults

Strange actions performed by a pet are called popcorning. The choice of name was due to the amazing similarity of rodents to corn kernels bouncing in the microwave while popcorn is being made.

Funny behavior is common to all ages, but is more common in young individuals.

Pig shows last about 5 minutes and include:

• jumping and turning over in the air;
• dancing using the fifth point;
• squeals, squeaks and other crazy sounds of delight;
• falls and febrile convulsions;
• cutting circles at the incredible speed of a racing car.

If the pig runs around like crazy and successfully involves other cage inhabitants in its madness, then release the animals to freedom. After expanding the territory, the rodents will quickly calm down and fall into deep sleep, replenishing the energy expended.

After a burst of energy comes a sound sleep

Natural reaction

Sometimes the reason why your piggy is jumping can be due to its natural behavior. Most often this occurs in young individuals. The animals show their cheerful mood in this way, frolicking and rushing around the entire cage. Some rodents can rock the cage, making whistling sounds. If, in addition to the young pig, there are older individuals, then they begin to repeat after the young pig. The unusual behavior may last about 7-15 minutes, after which the pet either begins to drink and eat, or rests. This phenomenon among healthy pigs is called “popcorning.” The way they jump can be compared to the exploding kernels of corn when they are fried.

Reasons for crazy racing

As you try to figure out why your pet jumps up and down while performing exciting tricks, consider recent events that pleased your pig:

• receiving treats or a new portion of hay with a fragrant smell;
• the opportunity to walk outside the usual conditions and other amenities depending on the characteristics of a particular animal.

If none of the above actions have been performed, then think about the convenience of keeping a pet. A cramped room, deprived of additional space for play, literally puts pressure on the animal, depriving it of the opportunity to stretch its legs. Over time, lack of activity leads to running in one place.

Try changing the usual house for a larger living space containing tunnels, a wheel and other toys.

Similar cases requiring medical diagnosis

Please note that the actions performed during popcorn are similar to the symptoms of certain diseases:

1. Blood-sucking parasites (ticks, fleas)
   . If the animal scratches itself on all objects in the cage, and its fur loses its usual shine and begins to fall out, then contact a veterinarian. Infestation with larvae can occur through hay.
2. Helminthic infestations
   . A sharp loss of weight and the appearance of inclusions in feces are alarming signs of helminthiasis. It is not difficult to see eggs or adults, so be sure to check your pet's stool.
3. Dental diseases
   . If a pig runs around and tries to chew through the bars, it means it has problems with its incisors. Be sure to take your pet to the clinic to rule out problems with stones or improper growth of the roots of the teeth.

Natural reaction

In most cases, the answer to the question “why is a pig jumping” is that this is normal behavior for piglets. As a rule, young animals are prone to such actions. They become happy, they run around the cage and make noise. They can even rock the cage. Some pigs whistle at this.

If there are several individuals in the cage, then representatives of the older generation can also join in the fun of the piglet. After this warm-up, which can last 5-10 minutes, the pigs rest, eat and drink water.

And he behaves strangely...

Owners who have recently acquired new “tenants” are often bothered by the squeaking of their charges in a variety of situations.

Problems with stool and urination

Does he squeak when he goes to the toilet? Often such a sound is accompanied by the need to cope with natural needs - both small and large needs.

In this case, you first need to simply observe the further behavior of the animal. If a slight inflammation occurs, then simply ensure your pet is clean and warm in the cage. However, a squeak can be a signal of disorders both in the genitourinary system and in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, it is necessary to urgently take the animal to the local Aibolit.

And suddenly it bites!

Pets can squeak when they are angry. It was already noted above that squeaking can mean dissatisfaction or protest.

The same applies to bites. Most often, they can be “rewarded” by an animal that is unwell, and against its will (he doesn’t realize that for purely humane reasons!) they take it in their arms - how can you not be indignant!

Listen to the sound. https://xvostus.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/zvuki-morskih-svinok-svinka-vozmuschena.mp3

And good luck, and the treatment procedures will begin. Here both teeth and voice will come into play.

The same applies to pregnant females, who are annoyed by any attempt to invade their personal space.

Are your teeth itching?

Gnawing on the bars is not dangerous. Owners often notice that the guinea pig seems to be gnawing on the bars of the cage. And the question naturally arises: maybe this is how she grinds her teeth down?

In such cases, experts reassure: the rodent clamps the rod in a completely different area from where the teeth are. Simply the chewing movements made make this sound quite loud. It may also be accompanied by a squeak.

Sociable pigs locked in a cage suffer greatly from loneliness and gnaw at the cage “out of grief”; this is rather a type of pig psychosis, which, however, is easily curable. All you need is:

• place the pet in a larger cage,
• give the opportunity to actively move in a special pen or even on the floor,
• place a friend in the home, remembering that the animals must be same-sex (to avoid unplanned reproduction),
• provide food in sufficient quantity.

Active running and jumping

Squeaks and runs? Most often, this is how complete satisfaction with life is expressed. This behavior is especially typical for young individuals. They cheerfully rush around the cage squealing and hooting, infecting older pigs with their delight.

At the same time, noise, fuss, squeaking, and whistling are heard. This does not last all the time, so there is no cause for alarm.

However, it may happen that the movements of the animals are too active and restless; running alternates with jumping and is also accompanied by squeaking; pigs itch periodically.

Carefully examine your pet's fur and skin, paying special attention to dandruff, bald spots, sores, and hair loss. If such signs are present, we can assume the presence of a fungus, subcutaneous mite or lice-eater. Does your pig squeak often?

Does your pig squeak often?

Yes, all the time! No, rarely.

conclusions

Guinea pigs jump because of joyful events or because of health problems. To determine the cause, it is necessary to monitor the behavior and condition of the pet. If you purchase a rodent from other people, you should find out whether the animal has been trained. Then the owner will not be concerned about the pet’s strange behavior.

Guinea pigs are rightfully considered one of the most unpretentious pets.
They ideal for keeping them at home: they are small in size, they don’t eat that much, they don’t run around the house and they can be placed in a small cage.
And their care is practically minimal. Guinea pigs are very friendly, they rarely bite, which means they are not dangerous even for the smallest members of the family. Pigs are very gentle and affectionate, calm, the main thing for them is delicious food and a clean home.

Although sometimes strange things happen to the cutest creatures in the world. Suddenly the pigs may start jumping and running around the cage, making a lot of noise. If you have recently brought such an animal into your home, then you will immediately wonder why such metamorphoses suddenly begin to occur with a calm animal.

Some owners panic, thinking that their four-legged friend has gone crazy, while others, on the contrary, rejoice, claiming that if their pets are active, then they are healthy.

What actually happens to guinea pigs and should you worry when they start jumping and running around the cage very actively, creating noise that is so unusual for them?

In reality, everything is not as scary as it seems. When your guinea pig starts running and jumping around the cage, this should not bother you, he is happy about something and there is nothing wrong with that, in this way the rodent shows others that he is happy.