Should I Worry if My Guinea Pig Sneezes?
At first, you might instinctively dismiss a guinea pig’s slight sneeze. Everyone sneezes occasionally, and a tiny “tchoo” is adorable, isn’t it? Unfortunately, that’s incorrect. Any amount of sneezing is something to watch out for with guinea pigs. Just like humans, they sneeze to expel dust or other irritants. However, guinea pig sneezing often suggests a bigger problem for these little, delicate animals.
To find out more, check out the tips on this page, and be vigilant if your guinea pig sneezes more than a couple of times every day. Below, I’ll explain how to stop your little buddy from sneezing and what to look for in case it’s a respiratory issue.
How Can I Tell if My Guinea Pig Has a Cold?
Because guinea pigs are fragile creatures, they have very sensitive respiratory systems. This makes them prone to colds and other respiratory infections. Recurring sneezing can be an early sign that something is wrong. Following are a few tips on what symptoms to watch (and listen) out for.
First: What Does Guinea Pig Sneezing Sound Like?
Typically, the sneeze of a guinea pig is a brief, faint sound. You might also hear coughing, wheezing, or raspy breathing, which could be very concerning. The coughing of a guinea pig is described by some pet parents as a “short choking sound,” which can be quite scary. So, when a guinea pig shows symptoms like watery eyes or a runny nose along with sneezing, it’s important to sit up and take notice.
Watch the following YouTube video to learn how to recognize guinea pig sneezing noises:
Why Does My Guinea Pig Sneeze While Eating?
As your little buddy eats hay or pellets, you might notice that they sneeze more often. The reason for this is usually that the dust in their hay irritates their delicate nose. Even the best varieties of hay can be the main culprit. However, frequent sneezing during meals might also indicate that their nasal passages are already irritated, maybe because of an infection or allergies at home.
Guinea Pig Sneezing Treatment Options
The best thing to do is to call the vet if your guinea pig shows symptoms like discharge or frequent sneezing. The vet will check their health and suggest what to do next. By following their advice and making a few easy lifestyle changes at home, you might be able to help your little one recover.
1. Clean Up Their Space
Making sure their cage is as dust-free and clean as possible should be your first priority. Swap out their bedding for something new, soft, and dust-free (see product recommendation below).
Shake out their hay to get rid of any stray dust or particles. Wiping down the cage walls is the easiest way to get rid of any hidden dust. For guinea pig cages, vinegar is an excellent natural and pet-safe cleaning solution. After removing everything from the cage, including their toys, food bowl, and water bottle, spray and wipe it clean with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution.
Pro Tip for You: To reduce the irritants that make guinea pigs sneeze, change the bedding at least twice a week and use hay marked “dust extracted.” At Your Pets at Home, we recommend Oxbow hay to reduce guinea pig sneezing; it is of superior quality (hand sorted and de-dusted), grown in the USA, and a must for small pets.
2. Watch for Other Symptoms
Keep a lookout for other signs of illness in your pet, like odd behavior, runny nose, or crusty eyes. For example, excessive sleepiness is often a sign of a health problem. If your guinea pig coughs or seems very tired, they might need medical attention right away.
When a guinea pig starts sneezing, has breathing difficulties, and leaks nasal discharge, it can sometimes be a symptom of pneumonia. They can become sad, go off their food, lose weight, and also get conjunctivitis (pink eye). For these reasons, it’s important for a vet to see a guinea pig with any of these concerning symptoms.
3. Boost Their Diet
Did you know that guinea pigs can’t produce vitamin C on their own? They must get it from their diet. Try adding some vitamin C-rich, fresh vegetables to their meals, such as broccoli, bell peppers, and parsley. Fresh vegetables are great for boosting immunity and helping small animals recover from minor ailments.
The Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital states that guinea pigs typically need 10–20 mg of vitamin C daily. You should temporarily increase the dosage if you suspect your guinea pig is getting sick because an unhealthy one may need more: up to 100 mg of vitamin C per day.
4. Improve the Air They Breathe
To reduce the amount of dust and allergens in the air, you can place an air purifier close to their cage if you have one at home. Keep the humidity level in their room comfortable—not too high or too low. The ideal range for guinea pig comfort is between 40 and 60 percent. Hay and pellets both have an unpleasant odor, which is another good reason to use an air purifier.
5. Call the Vet
As mentioned before, if you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact a vet. Early intervention is key. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be sneezing so please contact your vet right away if it doesn’t stop after switching their hay or if there are additional symptoms. A vet can quickly identify and treat a respiratory infection by listening to their breathing. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, a guinea pig that is breathing with an open mouth should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.
How Long Can Guinea Pigs Survive With a Respiratory Infection?
Sadly, guinea pig respiratory infections can get worse very quickly. A sick guinea pig can die within 48 hours of showing the first signs of illness. With treatment, however, a minor infection can start to clear up in a few days. But, if a serious one isn’t treated right away, the issue can become life-threatening. For the well-being of your little pet, please take immediate action!
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, your guinea pig shouldn’t be sneezing. Watch for signs like crusty eyes, coughing, or runny nose, and call a vet without hesitation if you notice these symptoms. Please be proactive and pay attention as these tiny creatures rely on us to recognize when something is wrong.
If your guinea pig is sneezing predominantly near hay, no more than a couple of times a day, and without additional symptoms, try cleaning their cage, replacing their hay with a dust-free variety, and increasing their intake of vitamin C. We at Your Pets at Home hope that your guinea pig will soon quickly return to its happy, squeaky self.
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