My pigs keep eating plastic

[Idk]

My guinea pigs keep eating plastic. Any sort of plastic thats accidentally left out with them is immediately devoured, and yet they all seem to be in perfect health. Its been going on for a few years now but none of them have died from it... we're quite worried about it, we try to keep any plastic away from them but if we accidentally leave eg: a brush, a bag after cleaning them, anything made of plastic really they just eat it. Does anyone know what might be the problem? As i said they all seem in perfect health.

 

[Lady Kelly]

If you know they have eaten plastic you need to keep an eye on their eating and pooping to make sure they don't get a blockage in their gut as they will be unable to process it. As it sounds like it's happening fairly regularly you need to get into a better routine of cleaning up before you let the piggies into the same space that you have had these items. Perhaps when you have done, a quick once over to check for anything the pigs shouldn't have had access to

 

[Idk]

Thanks for the advice! We do try to keep all plastic things away from them. Do you know the reason for it? They just seem drawn to plastic like an addiction.

 

[DMS260820]

Thanks for the advice! We do try to keep all plastic things away from them. Do you know the reason for it? They just seem drawn to plastic like an addiction.

Mine will do it too if given the chance. I think they like the crinkling noise it makes. Like the sound of a bag of lettuce. One of mine has eaten a seaquin off a shoe. A rubber band off a tablet case. And a bit of bin bag. She was fine. But if it kept happening. Her luck could run out

 

[nugget&brownie]

Thanks for the advice! We do try to keep all plastic things away from them. Do you know the reason for it? They just seem drawn to plastic like an addiction.

guinea pigs are very good at hiding illnesses so u might not know until months into them being ill and sometimes its to late just be aware it might be boredom buy some new toys to freshen there cage up and move there cage set up every time u clean them out cause when they get too bored they start eating and nawing on things also check there teeth because there teeth could be over grown so there trying to naw them down if there teeth are over grown book an appointment at your local vet for a tooth trimming

 

[Idk]

guinea pigs are very good at hiding illnesses so you might not know until months into them being ill and sometimes its to late just be aware it might be boredom buy some new toys to freshen there cage up and move there cage set up every time you clean them out cause when they get too bored they start eating and nawing on things also check there teeth because there teeth could be over grown so there trying to naw them down if there teeth are over grown book an appointment at your local vet for a tooth trimming

Thank you for your advice! I'll check their teeth as soon as i get the chance. We'll definitely buy some more toys for them. They're semi free range (they live in our courtyard with a 2 story hutch) so they have plenty of space but we'll put some more entertaining stuff out there for them!

 

[nugget&brownie]

good u should see a change in them if there brains are really working with exploring the new toys. my guinea pigs have the exact same set up as yours a ginourmous run connected to a two story hutch and they have loads of toys and I swap there toys all the time so one week they have different toys then they did from the last week

 

[Idk]

Ok i checked their teeth... I think we found the problem. They all seem to be overgrown
We'll take them to the vet asap. Thanks for your help

good you should see a change in them if there brains are really working with exploring the new toys. my guinea pigs have the exact same set up as yours a ginourmous run connected to a two story hutch and they have loads of toys and I swap there toys all the time so one week they have different toys then they did from the last week

 

[Eriathwen]

They dont look too bad length wise but that discolouration could well be a nutrient deficiency that they're trying to make up for by eating things they shouldn't be (some animals eat dirt to get minerals for example) so a vet visit is a really good idea.
I have a picture of my boars teeth I took the other day because he keeps getting crud stuck between them. As you can see, similar length, but they should be white.

 

[DMS260820]

Thank you for your advice! I'll check their teeth as soon as i get the chance. We'll definitely buy some more toys for them. They're semi free range (they live in our courtyard with a 2 story hutch) so they have plenty of space but we'll put some more entertaining stuff out there for them!

I find hanging toilet roll tubes and stuffing them with hay really entertains them. They like the challenge of it swinging and being a bit more of a challenge to get the hay. Put it just in reach, that works so well

 

[Idk]

They dont look too bad length wise but that discolouration could well be a nutrient deficiency that they're trying to make up for by eating things they shouldn't be (some animals eat dirt to get minerals for example) so a vet visit is a really good idea.
I have a picture of my boars teeth I took the other day because he keeps getting crud stuck between them. As you can see, similar length, but they should be white.

View attachment 93376

Thanks i will definitely take them to the vet.

 

[Idk]

They dont look too bad length wise but that discolouration could well be a nutrient deficiency that they're trying to make up for by eating things they shouldn't be (some animals eat dirt to get minerals for example) so a vet visit is a really good idea.
I have a picture of my boars teeth I took the other day because he keeps getting crud stuck between them. As you can see, similar length, but they should be white.

View attachment 93376

If anything is done at the vets how much would you say it would cost? (GBP)

 

[Idk]

I find hanging toilet roll tubes and stuffing them with hay really entertains them. They like the challenge of it swinging and being a bit more of a challenge to get the hay. Put in just in reach, that works so well

Thanks I'll try that

 

[DMS260820]

Your bottom picture looks like overgrown teeth to me. But I'm not 100%

 

[Idk]

I find hanging toilet roll tubes and stuffing them with hay really entertains them. They like the challenge of it swinging and being a bit more of a challenge to get the hay. Put it just in reach, that works so well

What if they eat the tube?

 

[DMS260820]

Thanks I'll try that

careful what you hang it with

 

[DMS260820]

What if they eat the tube?

I read on here that it gies through them fine. Not harmful. Just watch out fir ones with glue on. Or just stuff a cube shape tissue box with hay and put it on the floor. But cut the hole a bit bigger. Incase of a stuck pig

 

[Idk]

Your bottom picture looks like overgrown teeth to me. But I'm not 100%

Thats likely cause he's the oldest

 

[Eriathwen]

If anything is done at the vets how much would you say it would cost? (GBP)

It's hard to say but I find it averages between £30-£50 per visit depending on what needs doing, and ive gone for quite a variety of things over the last couple of years! Most of that is consultation fee (I think walking in the door is £28 at the one I use) so I doubt itll be much more than that, but different vets charge different rates.

 

[DMS260820]

Thats likely cause he's the oldest

Ok but i have had a 7 year old pig with shorter teeth than that. It might just been they way it looks on the pic. But i would get a vet to look

 

[Idk]

Ok but i have had a 7 year old pig with shorter teeth than that. It might just been they way it looks on the pic. But i would get a vet to look

Ok we'll take them all! Is cardboard bad for them?

 

[DMS260820]

Ok we'll take them all! Is cardboard bad for them?

I'm sure its not. A long time guinea pig owner said on here that it passes through them fine. They chew wood so cardboard should be ok

 

[Idk]

I'm sure its not. A long time guinea pig owner said on here that it passes through them fine

Ok thanks i'll do that then!

 

[DMS260820]

Ok thanks i'll do that then!

A guinea pig's teeth grow continually throughout his life, so chewing is essential to keep them worn down and prevent dental problems. Guinea pigs' digestive systems allow them to chew wood and wood-based products such as paper and cardboard without any ill effects

Just googled it and got that

 

[nugget&brownie]

Ok i checked their teeth... I think we found the problem. They all seem to be overgrownView attachment 93370View attachment 93371View attachment 93372View attachment 93373
We'll take them to the vet asap. Thanks for your help

its fine they look a bit overgrown but there very decayed you should check there teeth nose eyes ears and privates every week. I like to check my guinea pigs daily if I can and its easier to spot something quicker to do it daily but you should do it about weekly

 

[Idk]

Apparently just going in my local vet costs like £30

 

[DM030819]

@Idk I'd definitely recommend a vet visit to see what's going on. Their teeth are discoloured which is a flag to me that something isn't right. You can't always tell from looking at them front on if they're overgrown, it's the side view we need to see.

 

[Eriathwen]

£30 now is a good price, if left and the issues spread to the roots you're potentially looking at the need for extractions, long term syringe feeding, possibly abscesses etc, better to go now while it'll be cheaper and easier to fix, it may be as simple as a dietary change and you wont even need medications

What is their diet like? I'd remove anything sugary for now, like carrots, pet store treats etc and give them something that increases their vitamin C, bell peppers if they dont already get those are a good one.

 

[Merab]

Hope you can get some answers and help from the vet.
Let us know how things go

 

[Gulrez humayun]

Plz help me my female pig is continually licking her Anus and the Anus part fur is dirty and she is not eating much what to do