What's The Scoop on Guinea Pig Poop?
Learning about how much a guinea pig poops is important because it allows you to maintain your pet’s health. As a guinea pig parent, you want to make sure that your pet remains healthy and happy. So, if you’re wondering what’s the scoop on your guinea pig poop, you have come to the right place.
If you have guinea pigs, then you’d already know that they poop a lot. That’s because they consume a high-fiber diet all day long. Having a small bladder also means that they need to empty it frequently.
The frequency of pooping also depends upon the diet, health, and age of your guinea pig and if it pees or poops rarely, then consider it a sign of some health issue. In this article, you’ll learn how often a healthy guinea pig poops to understand what is normal and what’s not.
Do Guinea Pigs Poop and Pee A Lot?
There are multiple factors that determine how much a guinea pig will poop. Some of the most common factors are weight, age, exercise level, diet, and health. It’s also important to note that with the course of a guinea pig’s life, its pooping frequency can change.
Regardless of all these factors, guinea pigs are known for pooping a lot.. Just like most rodents, these animals poop when they feel comfortable, eat, sleep, or move around...so pretty much all the time.
They also don’t show any warning signs before pooping and do it throughout the day without following any specific times.
If your guinea pig eats all day long, you should also expect to see the same output. So in simple words, the more a guinea pig eats, the higher the frequency and quantity of their pooping will be.
How Much Do Guinea Pigs Poop?
From one guinea pig to another, the size of their poop can vary. The mature adults usually produce about 1.5 to 2 centimeters long pellets. Ideally, it should be plump, smooth, and rounded at both ends.
If you notice that the poop of your guinea pig is very small, it most probably means that the food intake of your pet is very low. Additionally, if you notice a teardrop shape, then it can be an indication that your piggy is suffering from altered gut motility or dehydration.
How Often Do Guinea Pigs Poop?
Well, there is no straightforward answer to this question as each guinea pig is unique. Generally, a healthy guinea pig can poop up to 100 times within a single day, and it’s normal for them to urinate every 15 minutes.
However, some guinea pigs can do a lot more than that within the same timeframe.
So you should be prepared to clean your guinea pig’s poop several times a day if you’re planning to adopt one. We recommend you use a handheld vacuum, that’ll make your life a lot easier than doing it by hand.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Poop So Much?
It mainly depends upon two factors which are your guinea pig’s diet and its metabolic rate. Generally, guinea pigs have a very high metabolism, and they consume too much of a diet that is rich in fibers.
Both of these factors make dropping poop a highly frequent event.
Does My Guinea Pig Poop Too Much?
As mentioned, it’s normal for guinea pigs to drop feces at a high frequency, which means you shouldn’t worry if you notice the same. In fact, if your guinea pig is pooping less, then you should consider it a sign of some health issue.
A healthy guinea pig not only eats vegetables and hay, but it’ll eat pretty much everything you offer. That’s why it’s a common trait of a healthy piggy to poop a lot.
How Long Does It Take A Guinea Pig to Poop?
Generally, a guinea pig doesn’t take more than several seconds to one minute to poop. If it’s taking more than that and the poop is dry, then your cute pet might be suffering from constipation.
It’s advisable to see your vet as soon as possible to maintain your piggy’s health.
Do Guinea Pigs Eat Their Poop?
It might sound a little gross, but it’s a fact that guinea pigs eat their poop, and interestingly, it also comes with several benefits. For young cavies, poop acts as a good starter for bacteria that help them while switching to solid food from their mother’s milk. On the other hand, it offers extra nutrients to adult guineas.
Guinea pigs have developed this habit over the course of time through the process of evolution. They didn’t have an abundance of food in the wild, and they started consuming their poop to absorb the leftover nutrients.
It’s important to note that there are two different types of poop that guinea pigs produce. These types are known as fecal and cecal, and guinea pigs only eat the latter type, which isn’t precisely their regular poop.
Can Guinea Pigs Fart?
Just like most mammals, guinea pigs also fart, and it’s completely natural and normal. However, too much gas can be very dangerous for your pets as these animals can’t pass gas through their thin intestines in large quantities.
This phenomenon is known as guinea pig bloating.
Signs of Guinea Pig Bloating
Unlike humans, bloating in guinea pigs can cause severe discomfort and pain, and the excess of trapped gas can compress the vital organs. In worst cases, it can be fatal, and it must be dealt with in time.
The following are some of the common symptoms of bloating in guinea pigs.
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen and hard belly
- Lethargy and weakness
- Rapid breathing
- Muscle spasms
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Regurgitation of saliva due to nausea
You may also notice your guinea pig whimpering when touched due to a distended and sore belly. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, take your pet to the vet without waiting.
Summary
Your cute guinea pigs are unique individuals with different personalities. Try and get to know them and their pooping habits. It’s the best way to maintain their health to keep them happy.
If any of your piggies suddenly changes their urinary habits, then take your pal to the veterinarian to deal with all the hidden health problems.