Signs Of Depression In Guinea Pigs – 9 Common Symptoms & Cures
Guinea pigs are prey species that are good at hiding potential health problems like depression. This helps these pet rodents avoid appearing as easy targets to their possible predators.
So then, what are the signs of depression in guinea pigs? The signs and symptoms of depression in these pets vary from one piggy to another. Even so, the most common signs include inactivity, aggressive behavior, irritability, and loss of appetite. Some piggies may also decline to be handled and hide at one spot in the cage when depressed.
But what causes depression in these pet rodents, and can a guinea pig die from this health problem? Find out now about the various signs, causes, and cures for guinea pig depression here. Let’s start!
What are the signs of a depressed Guinea Pig?
Guinea pigs, also known as domestic cavy or cavy, are lively, fun, and happy pets. But like other pets, they can get lonely, stressed, unhappy, and depressed. So, how can you tell if your guinea pig is depressed? Below are signs to watch out for.
![What are the signs of a depressed Guinea Pig](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/What-are-the-signs-of-a-depressed-Guinea-Pig.jpg)
1. Aggressive behavior
Guinea pigs are gentle rodents and rarely show aggressive behavior like scratching, chewing, or biting. However, when depressed, these pet rodents may show aggressive behavior like:
- Teeth-baring or chattering
- Head tossing
- Fidgeting
- Biting their owners or cage mates
- Strutting often
2. Lethargy
These pet rodents are very active during the day and night. However, a depressed guinea pig will lack energy and enthusiasm. Your cavy will not want to play as much and may appear sleepy most of the time.
3. Highly irritable
In addition, depression can make your guinea pig highly irritable. An irritable domestic cavy gets frustrated and annoyed by even the most minor things.
4. Excessive or under-grooming
Guinea pigs are always delighted to self-groom on any given day. But sometimes, these pet rodents may over-groom themselves or their cage mates when depressed or bored. They may also neglect to groom their fur due to depression.
5. Reduced appetite
Guinea pigs have the inclination to eat whenever they can because of their natural foraging nature. But when depressed, your pets may refuse to eat even their favorite treats, including:
- Hay and grass
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Green leaf lettuces
6. Hiding inside the cage
In most cases, guinea pigs hide in their cage when they are lonely or frightened. However, depression can also make these rodents hide in the corner of their cage without showing interest in their toys, cage mates, or food.
7. Disinterest to socialize
Guinea pigs are social animals by nature. They prefer to live in groups. So, if you notice your pet not wanting to socialize or communicate with you or their cage partners, the rodent could be depressed.
8. Refusing to be handled
These pet rodents love to be cuddled and held by their owners once they get accustomed to you. However, when stressed or depressed, guinea pigs may refuse to be held or touched. And if you try, they could bite you.
9. Excessive barbering
Sometimes, your guinea pigs may nibble or chew their fur, leaving a bald or scruffy patch on their skin. This happens when these rodents are highly stressed or depressed. They may also chew the hair of their cage companions.
Here is a video of a guinea pig barbering:
Do Guinea Pigs Get Depressed By Themselves?
Yes, Guinea pigs can quickly get depressed if they don’t have a cage mate. You see, these pet rodents are social by nature. Therefore, they do best when housed with another piggy.
![Do Guinea Pigs Get Depressed By Themselves](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Do-Guinea-Pigs-Get-Depressed-By-Themselves.jpg)
Without a companion, your guinea pigs are more likely to suffer loneliness and boredom. If this issue is not addressed early, your pet rodents could eventually become depressed.
Can A Guinea Pig Die Of Depression?
Yes, your pet rodent can die from depression. It’s the side effects of depression that can kill your guinea pig. Of course, the depression would have to be long-lasting or extreme for this to happen.
Some reasons guinea pigs die from depression are loss of appetite and refusal to exercise. When your pet rodent is depressed, it may stop eating, leading to weight loss. Consequently, your pet may suffer from general body weakness, which can be fatal.
![Can A Guinea Pig Die Of Depression](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Can-A-Guinea-Pig-Die-Of-Depression.jpg)
Additionally, when your guinea pig does not exercise because it is depressed, this may increase its risk of:
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
All these side effects can lead to the death of your pet rodent. However, your piggy will not die if you know the signs of depression and how to cure a depressed guinea pig.
What Causes Depression In Guinea Pigs?
Since guinea pigs can die of severe depression, you might wonder, what makes these rodents depressed? Read on to find out.
![What Causes Depression In Guinea Pigs](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/What-Causes-Depression-In-Guinea-Pigs.jpg)
1. Loneliness and boredom
One of the common causes of depression in guinea pigs is loneliness or boredom. Your domestic cavy can become lonely and bored due to the following:
- Living without a companion
- Unchanging cage environment
- Failure to give your pig sufficient attention
- Lack of a variety of toys to play with
2. Small cage space
Confining your guinea pig in a small cage is yet another cause for these pets’ depression. This is because a small cell will not have enough space for your rodent to move around and explore.
3. Loss of a cage partner or owner
Guinea pigs form deep bonds with their cage mates and owners. Therefore, if the owner or their cage partner dies, these rodents may become lonely and suffer from depression.
4. Illness or severe pain
Guinea pigs are prone to many diseases. However, these rodents are superb at hiding signs of illnesses and pain. This is because they are prey animals. Unfortunately, if your piggies are exposed to constant pain, this could trigger depression.
5. Bullying from cage mates
Sometimes, guinea pigs may not get along. So, if you keep more than one piggy in the same cage, one may get bullied by the other. If the bullying behavior persists, the victim guinea pig may slowly fall into depression.
How To Cure A Depressed Guinea Pig?
![How To Cure A Depressed Guinea Pig](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/How-To-Cure-A-Depressed-Guinea-Pig.jpg)
Once you realize your guinea pig could be depressed, you can cure it. However, the right cure for depression in these pet rodents depends on the cause of the problem. Here are some tips to help you.
Offer a good size cage
A single piggy needs a minimum of 7.5 square feet of space. But the more room, the better.
Provide plenty of interactive toys
Toys help keep your guinea pigs mentally stimulated, protecting them from boredom. So, be sure to put various toys in their cage, including chew balls, tunnels, cardboard boxes, and crumbled papers.
Get your lone piggy a companion
If your guinea pigs are depressed because of loneliness, you should bring in a cage mate for companionship.
Give them lots of attention
If your cavy appears depressed, you must devote more time to it. Play with your pets as often as possible, groom them, and teach them various tricks.
Separate the piggies
If your guinea pigs don’t get along and one is being bullied, you should put them in separate cages. Once they have bonded, you can house them together in a single enclosure.
FAQs
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the different signs and symptoms of a depressed guinea pig.
Q: How can I make my depressed guinea pig happy?
The best way is to give your cavy extra attention, cuddle him, and get him a cage mate to prevent loneliness.
Q: Do newly adopted guinea pigs suffer from depression?
Yes, these pet rodents may get depressed from being separated from other guinea pig friends or previous caregivers.
The Bottom Line
Similar to other pets, guinea pigs are also susceptible to depression. If not treated on time, your pet rodent could die from this health problem.
Fortunately, there are many ways to tell if your piggy suffers from this condition. This makes it easy to treat this health problem while still in the early stages.
Resources and References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416001195500202/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329905497_PRELIMINARY_STUDIES_OF_GROOMING_BEHAVIOR_OF_DOMESTIC_AMERICAN_GUINEA_PIG_Cavia_porcellus
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26198213/