Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Their Feet? This Is Why!

Guinea pigs groom themselves regularly, and that includes their feet. Sometimes, though, foot biting is a sign of itching, pain or stress.

Why do guinea pigs bite their feet? Short licking and nibbling of the feet and nails is normal grooming. Constant biting, sore or bald feet, or bleeding can point to mites, bumblefoot, pain or stress, and needs a vet visit.

Difference Of Natural Grooming And Barbering

Guinea pigs groom their whole bodies, including their feet. They may nibble the fur on their feet, their nails and between their toes.

Grooming sessions usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes. They often happen after eating, sleeping or being handled.

Your guinea pig may also lick and nibble its toes after scratching behind its ears.

This kind of brief grooming is normal and doesn't cause injuries.

How Does Barbering Work?

Sometimes guinea pigs chew their fur too much. This is called barbering, and it leaves thin or bald patches.

The Merck Veterinary Manual describes barbering as hair-chewing, typically among caged guinea pigs. A guinea pig housed alone may chew its own fur from boredom.

Barbering can also be a reaction to itching, pain or irritated skin, so it's worth a vet check.

Do Guinea Pigs Barber Other Guinea Pigs?

Yes. Guinea pigs kept in groups may chew each other's fur, often as part of social competition or dominance.

Watch your guinea pigs to see which one is doing the barbering. Merck advises separating aggressive animals if needed.

Do Guinea Pigs Barbering Because Of Stress Or Boredom?

Yes. Fur chewing can mean your guinea pig is stressed or bored. Other signs of stress or boredom include:

• Chewing the cage bars
• Chewing or playing with the water bottle
• Changes in appetite or behavior
• Hiding all the time
• Losing interest in its usual activities
• Pacing or circling

How To Address Barbering On Guinea Pigs?

Start with a vet checkup. Mites, ringworm and painful conditions can look like stress-related barbering, so rule them out first.

Barbering Because Of Stress

If your vet finds no medical cause, look for the source of stress and remove it. Common causes include:

• Conflict with another guinea pig
• Not enough hiding places
• Loud noises
• Sudden changes in their environment
• A cage that is too small

Barbering Because Of Boredom

Merck recommends providing long-stem hay to chew on to help prevent barbering. Hay also keeps their teeth and gut healthy.

Guinea pigs also enjoy tunnels, hideouts and safe chew toys. Supervised time out of the cage in a safe area is good enrichment. You can also try:

• Scatter-feeding vegetables in their hay
• Simple mazes made of cardboard
• Hiding treats for them to find

Guinea pigs are social, so most do best with at least one compatible guinea pig companion as well as daily time with you.

What Is Bumblefoot?

Bumblefoot, or pododermatitis, is inflammation and infection of the footpads. It often starts when small cuts or sores on the bottom of the feet become infected.

Merck lists the causes as cuts, wire flooring, poor sanitation and obesity. A guinea pig with sore feet may bite or lick them. Other signs include:

• Red, swollen or scabbed footpads
• Sores on the feet
• Swollen joints
• Loss of appetite
• Walking less or limping

How To Treat Bumblefoot On Guinea Pigs?

Bumblefoot is painful and needs a vet. Untreated infection can spread to tendons, joints and bone.

Merck notes that treatment includes moving the guinea pig to smooth flooring with soft bedding and better sanitation, along with foot soaks, bandaging and medications your vet prescribes. Severe cases may need surgery or even foot amputation.

Never give a guinea pig antibiotics or other medicines without your vet's advice. Some antibiotics that are safe for other animals can be deadly to guinea pigs.

How To Prevent Bumblefoot?

Good husbandry prevents most cases of bumblefoot:

• Use solid, smooth flooring, not wire
• Clean the cage often and change bedding regularly
• Use soft, dry, non-irritating bedding
• Give your guinea pig plenty of space to move
• Feed a healthy diet with hay and enough vitamin C
• Keep nails trimmed
• See your vet regularly, especially if your guinea pig is overweight or moves less

Skin Irritation Or Itching In Guinea Pigs

Foot biting can also be a sign of itchy skin. Aside from bumblefoot, common causes include:

• Mites, which can cause intense itching, hair loss and inflammation
• Lice
• Ringworm, a fungal infection that causes bald, scaly patches
• Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), which can cause pain and a rough coat
• Cysts or other skin lumps

Watch for scratching, thin or patchy fur, crusts, limping and weight loss.

Keep the cage clean and feed a healthy diet with vitamin C. If you see any of these signs, see a vet. Mites are diagnosed with skin scrapings and need prescription treatment.

Why Do Guinea Pigs Bite Their Legs?

Guinea pigs may nibble their legs while grooming. Frequent biting can mean mites, ringworm or pain, so take your guinea pig to the vet if it keeps happening.

Final Verdict

Brief licking and nibbling of the feet is normal grooming. Constant biting, sores or fur loss can mean bumblefoot, mites, fungal infection, pain or stress, so ask your vet.

Source: theguineapigguide.com, petmd.com

Sources

• Skin Problems of Guinea Pigs, Merck Veterinary Manual
• Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs, Merck Veterinary Manual