Guinea pigs, just like other tiny furry pets, can hide their sickness symptoms and can be dying by the time you notice. Being aware of an unwell guinea pig’s symptoms is essential for the owners to keep them healthy and safe.
It is not rare when a guinea pig tragically dies because of an event that shocked or scared it to death. When filled with fear and stress, guinea pigs can die because of fright. Their hearts give out when they believe they are in a shocking scenario and can pass on as a result.
How Can My Guinea Pig Die from Shock?
In the wild, guinea pigs are animals of prey as they are small and weak. They cannot protect themselves from predators and will run away or hide. When very frightened, they can die as a result of their hearts giving out.
Not all guinea pigs can die from shock when they are frightened or when you make changes to their lives. As a guinea pig owner, you should treat your pet as an animal with a fragile heart, like you would treat an elderly person. Always allow your guinea pigs to move outside their cage, interact with one other, or be exposed to other changes because they will be happy in a diverse life.
Take your time when making changes to your guinea pig’s environment. If they live a relaxed, easy-going life with nothing to worry about, you should not worry. A stable environment where they can tell what will happen next, good nutrition, a cage, and their overall safety are ideal for your guinea pig.
How to Keep My Guinea Pig from Shock?
Most things you consider small can be enormous for a guinea pig, so it is crucial to always think about your mindset when interacting with them. Abruptly walking into a room, suddenly grabbing or shouting at your guinea pig can make them panic. To make sure your guinea pig is not shocked, consider the following;
Keep Them Away from Terrifying Sounds
Guinea pigs cannot stand terrifying sounds and noises such as music speakers, heavy traffic, outside sirens, and people shouting. These sounds can sound harmless to us, but for your guinea pig, they can sound like predatory animals.
The most recommended way to keep your guinea pig from disturbing noises and sounds is to have a room exclusively for them. Ensure the room is also off-limits to other pets at home and loud sounds. When in a room with your guinea pig, keep minimum volumes, low voices, and absolutely no screaming or shouting.
Everyone at home, including children, should ensure there are no terrifying noises to avoid harming the guinea pig. Although children often mean no harm to guinea pigs, their noises can threaten the guinea pig’s life, and they can die from being petrified.
If you cannot provide a separate room for your guinea pig, place their cage away from other pets, and you should not put it on the ground where they can be reached by anything and anyone. Big birds and other large animals can frighten your guinea pig, so do not put their cage near the window.
Gradually Introduce New Things to Your Guinea Pig
Ensure you gradually introduce your guinea pig to new things, including other pets in your house, but this is only advisable if you cannot keep them apart all the time. If they can stay apart, keep your guinea pig separate and away from other pets. Introduce a new thing to your guinea pig slowly, even if it is food, toys, or home.
As you introduce them to new things slowly by slowly, monitor how they react. If there are no adverse symptoms, keep going until they are fully acquainted with the new stuff. Conversely, if there is an adverse reaction, stop and retry later on. Forcing your guinea pig to get used to something new can be harmful to them.
What Are the Signs of Dying Guinea Pig?
Despite the illness or medical condition, a sick guinea pig’s symptoms remain common across several types of health issues. If you notice that your guinea pig might be sick, take them to a veterinarian immediately. If they have a severe medical condition, they can die within 24 to 72 hours. Be vigilant about their habits, health, and quickly act if you notice anything about their health or safety. Some common signs of a sick guinea pig include;
- Lack of appetite– if your guinea pig is very sick, they will refuse to eat, and over some time, will also begin to lose weight. You will even notice that they will avoid drinking water and can be quickly dehydrated. Invest in an animal scale to weigh them and keep track of how they are feeding. Because of their small size, a slight weight loss can be devastating.
- Bad urine and feces– blood in urine, fewer feces than usual, and watery diarrhea are signs of severe illness and can lead to the death of your guinea pig. Talk to your vet as soon as you notice any of these signs.
- Fever– if your guinea pig has a fever, they are very sick and needs a vet’s attention to prevent them from dying. Fever can also be a sign of pneumonia, a leading cause of death in guinea pigs.
- Respiratory problems– breathing problems such as wheezing, labored breathing, panting, coughing, or sneezing is signs of severe health issues in guinea pigs.
The Bottom Line
Guinea pigs are fragile animals, more so when ill. If you notice any sign that they might be unwell, it is best to give them the best attention to improve their health and safety. Let your guinea pig get used to you by giving them your hand for a bite, talking to them calmly, or picking them up using two hands. When domesticated as a pet, a guinea pig cannot differentiate the new friendly environment at home from the violent, predatory environment in the wild. Therefore, they can die of being frightened in their cages despite being one of the safest places for them. If you have a dog at home, guinea pigs do not know if your dog is hostile or friendly and can die out of sheer fear when they are facing your dog.