Guinea pigs poop - a lot! Most piggy parents struggle to keep up with the poo-picking routine for their pets’ habitat. But what happens when the poop stops? Let’s take a smelly ride to find out what causes impaction in guinea pigs, what the signs and treatment of anal impaction in guinea pigs are, and how serious it really is!
What does it mean when a guinea pig is impacted?
When a guinea pig is impacted, it means they can’t pass poop because of a blockage somewhere along the gastrointestinal tract. This is also known as anal impaction, and can be most common in male guinea pigs of a certain age, but any piggies can suffer from it. Let’s find out what causes impaction in guinea pigs!
The causes of impaction in guinea pigs
Guinea pig impaction can happen when your piggy eats anything that can create a blockage in their digestive system (like bits of plastic, fur, or food that wasn't chewed properly). In more serious cases, it could be a sign of an internal tumour, but it can also just be caused by old age.
In fact, the most common problem with anal impaction in male guinea pigs is old age. As piggy parents know well, our furry friends go through a constant cycle of eat, poop, sleep, and the occasional popcorn. When boars enter the senior pigizenship stage, the muscles in their anus stretch and weaken. They then struggle to pass all their poop and - surprise - they get impacted.
What does guinea pig impaction look like?
We don’t want to be party poopers, but be warned that anal impaction in guinea pigs doesn’t look nice - and it doesn’t smell nice either. Most piggy parents can notice that their guinea pigs are impacted because they've gone off their food, are less active than normal, look uncomfortable, and they're straining when pooping.
To make sure you got it right, you can pick up your pig - gently, because they’re probably sore - and have a look at their bottom. If there’s poop stuck in the perineal sac (the skin outside their private area) and the area feels hard, especially if the impaction has been there for a few hours, the guinea pig is impacted.
Now, the good news: your cavy-savvy vet can help you figure out where the problem starter and offer treatment for your guinea pig’s impaction.
How do I treat my guinea pig’s impaction?
When it comes to anal impaction in guinea pigs, time is of the essence. Impacted guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly, so it’s important to see a vet straight away. The vet can clean out the impaction, find out what caused it, and provide cavy-savvy treatment, including gut stimulants, pain medicine, and syringe feeding.
If the male guinea pig impaction is chronic, the piggy parents will need to get involved with their treatment and learn how to clean out the impaction. Find out below how that works.
How do I go about cleaning out a male guinea pig with impaction?
There’s no way around this: cleaning out impacted guinea pigs stinks, in more than one way. If your piggy can’t do a number two, it’s a serious - and sometimes fatal - condition, so piggy parents have to deal with a lot of crap to help their pets... literally!
If your boar keeps suffering from impaction, it’s a good idea to set up a bottom cleaning routine for them. Many piggies with chronic impaction get cleaned out once a day, but some may need help more regularly. You can watch your pig to see at what point they get uncomfortable, and then clean them regularly, so there isn’t too much poop build-up.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- An extra pair of hands
- A pad or liner
- Cotton tips
- Mineral oil (optional)
- Gloves (optional)
It’s easiest to clean out a male guinea pig with impaction when you have an extra pair of hands to hold the piggy, but it’s also possible to do it solo. Here are the steps to follow:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before you start and put on gloves, if you prefer.
- Get a clear view and good access to your pig’s bottom - either by turning them very carefully onto their back or sitting them up on the pad or liner. Many pet owners recommend applying some mineral oil with a cotton tip to the area because it helps ease the poop out.
- Use your thumb and pointer finger to gently press down around the poo mass and ease it out. The area feels soft when all poop has been removed. (If you’re struggling to get hard poop removed, a few minutes in warm, shallow water can help soften the mass. Just make sure you dry your piggy after, just like you would for a bath.)
- When you’re finished, wash your hands thoroughly and give your pig a gentle hug. Some pigs may eat the poop you removed, as the cecal pellets are part of a healthy diet (find out more about guinea pig poop here!).
Still unsure on what to do? Here's a video on how to clean out an impacted male guinea pig by the Kavee Rescue's pig-expert Tara:
Is there a cure for impacted guinea pigs?
The best way to help an impacted guinea pig is finding out what’s caused the issue as soon as possible. Have they eaten something they shouldn’t have? Did they not chew their treats properly? Is there an internal mass? Or is it simply old age?
Once you’ve figured out the reason for the impaction with a vet, you can move on to finding the right treatment for them. If an object or mass is blocking the pig’s digestive system, the vet can try to remove it. There’s a good chance the guinea pig can recover fully from this, so you won’t need to worry about anal impaction in guinea pigs afterwards.
However, there's no cure for anal impaction in older male guinea pigs, and the best treatment for them will be regular cleaning and a good diet.
Can you prevent impaction in a male guinea pig?
Vets suggest a great diet with lots of hay and plenty of cage space for exercise to prevent anal impaction in a male guinea pig. This is because impaction can be linked to a lack of fibre or weakening muscles, so keeping your pig healthy from a young age can make a big difference. While pairing your piggy with an active furry friend is a great idea to encourage exercise. Help them popcorn together, so they can poop-corn better!
But please note that there’s no guarantee when it comes to guinea pig impaction, especially for older boars, so regular checks of the perineal sac are a must. For more tips and tricks on elderly piggy care, check out this video:
Can guinea pigs die from impaction?
Unfortunately, guinea pig impaction has a huge impact on a pig’s wellbeing, so guinea pigs could die from impaction within hours. The small furries eat constantly and pass poop, so when the impaction blocks the digestive track and stops gut movement, it’s a serious condition. To avoid the worst case, any impacted guinea pig should see a vet immediately.
Older boars with chronic impaction should also be monitored for eating habits. If they are showing signs of extreme discomfort, another vet visit is in order.
Conclusion
When it comes to anal impaction in guinea pigs, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Taking your piggy to the vet is the best way to help an impacted guinea pig. The vet can clear the impaction, offer the right treatment, and also find the cause for the impaction.
Older boars often end up with anal impaction in a male guinea pig, so they need help with their poop every day (and sometimes even several times a day). And although there’s no cure for this condition, piggy parents around the world can manage it well. Everything to get our beloved furry friends back to pooping & popcorning!
About the author
Fine is an ardent animal lover and particularly enjoys the company of her three guinea pigs, Tiberius, Ziri, and Henry. With more than 15 years of pigsperience, she knows the ins and outs of guinea pig care. Today, Fine lives in Glasgow, Scotland, with her three pigs and three noisy birds.
