Self-barbering / bald spot

[amber89]

Hey all,

I was doing today a health check on my piggies and noticed on Pufu a bald spot on his front paws. I know that that's he is constantly chewing on the hair on his front paws whenever he is unhappy with us handling him. It might be that he has such a patch also on his other front paw, but there it's harder to observe.

Should I worry?
We can't really go to a vet right now, unless it's a complete emergency (we are both in quarantine after my arrival on Friday from abroad)

 

[Julie M]

That looks completely normal to me. One of my piggies is the same.

 

[Posyrose]

Yes, that's completely normal. I've had piggies for 25 years and they've all had bald spots there to a greater or lesser extent.

 

[Claire W]

I agree that it’s nothing to worry about perfectly normal

 

[amber89]

Thank you all!

 

[Wiebke]

Hey all,

I was doing today a health check on my piggies and noticed on Pufu a bald spot on his front paws. I know that that's he is constantly chewing on the hair on his front paws whenever he is unhappy with us handling him. It might be that he has such a patch also on his other front paw, but there it's harder to observe.

Should I worry?
We can't really go to a vet right now, unless it's a complete emergency (we are both in quarantine after my arrival on Friday from abroad)

View attachment 140073

Hi!

This is normal mechanical abrasion from regular 'piggy washing'.

Please take the time to read this guide here; you will find it helpful in learning what is normal and what not: Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?