Guinea pigs are adorable little creatures that make cute noises to show their presence and grab your attention. But sometimes, their noises may sound unusual, which leads to the question, do guinea pigs fart?
Yes! They do fart. Surprisingly your pet piggy also has a digestive system that resembles humans and food goes through the same process as humans. However, some food may cause trouble in their stomach and lead to bloating, flatulence, and gases in their stomach. As a result, you might hear your pet piggy farting at times.
So, if you hear fart noises coming from your pet piggy, you shouldn’t be worried and this is just a normal process. But, if it occurs frequently, you might have to make some changes. Here’s a detailed insight into this.
What Makes A Guinea Pig Fart – 2 Major Causes
The reason why your pet may fart is due to the build-up of gasses in the intestines and stomach. This build-up is caused during the process of digestion.
There are two reasons why this happens.
1) Air Is Swallowed When Your Pet Is Eating:
The most major cause of this gas build-up is that every time you feed your pet any food, some air is usually swallowed in the form of air packets when he/she is munching. As a result, bloating and flatulence may occur.
It cannot be avoided and is part of the eating process of your pet piggy.
When air enters your pet’s body, it must be sent back and the only way this can happen is by farting. This is why you might see your pet fart sometimes.
2) Air Is Formed In The Process Of Digestion:
The 2nd most major cause of this gas build-up in your pet piggy’s body is the result of digestion of food. During the process of break down of food, some foods will lead to the formation of air or gas in your pet’s body.
This too is a natural process and cannot be avoided since your pet’s digestive system is sensitive. Naturally, when your pet is suffering from flatulence or bloating, it will use farting as a means of getting rid of this gas.
The only way to help your pet deal with the gas caused by foods is to make certain changes in your pet’s diet. You need to feed your pet a balanced diet and avoid overfeeding fruits and veggies that cause gas.
If you’re looking for healthy fruits and veggies for your pet, head over to our healthy treats section to find out more.
For now, let’s focus on what bloating is and answer some questions that guinea pig owners may have regarding their pet farting.
Bloating In Guinea Pig – 7 Signs To Lookout For
Guinea pigs have a weak digestive system and unfortunately, they do not have the ability to process or pass gas as humans do.
The gases produced in your pet’s body from the poor digestion of food, combined with the swallowed air pockets produce a significant amount of gas collectively.
Since your pet cannot pass gas willingly, as a result, their abdomen becomes swollen and your pet may become bloated. It can be painful and in worse cases, it may end up being fatal for your pet piggy if not treated.
Symptoms Of Bloating:
If you’re worried your pet might be bloated, here are some signs to look out for:
- Your pet appears uneasy.
- Physical weakness.
- Significantly heavy breathing and loss of breath.
- Lack of bowel movements.
- You might notice certain behavioral changes. Your pet may become more aggressive and he or she will tend to avoid any social activity.
- Although it might be physically hard to see, a swollen belly can be an indicator of bloating.
- Loss of appetite. If you notice that your pet hasn’t eaten in the past 5 – 6 hours, it may be an indication of bloating. In this case, it will be best to see the vet immediately.
Additionally, bloating can also be caused due to intestinal twisting, which also leads to excessive pain. Wondering what intestinal twisting is? Let’s dig in further and find out more about this.
What Is Intestinal Twisting? – 3 Easy Ways To Avoid This From Happening!
Intestinal twisting is a major health complication that causes the intestines of your pet to twist. This causes the intestines to be blocked and can lead to excessive bloating and flatulence, which will put your pet in severe pain.
Apart from the pain, it poses a significant threat to your pet’s life since it primarily affects the digestive system of your pet guinea pig.
When your pet is suffering from intestinal twisting, it stops the digestion of food so your pet will not be getting any energy from the nutrients. Although it can be treated by medicine, if things get worse, surgery will be required.
1) Causes Of Intestinal Twisting:
It is usually caused by certain foods, viruses, bacteria, and, parasites. Hairball impaction is also considered a cause of intestinal twisting since the weak digestive system of your pet cannot process or pass hair.
2) Signs Of Intestinal Twisting:
The signs or symptoms of intestinal twisting are rather the same as signs of bloating. Ideally, your pet will have irregular or no bowel movements whatsoever accompanied by excessive farting.
3) Treatment Of Intestinal Twisting:
A visit to the vet is the most recommended choice here. After visiting your vet, you’ll have two modes of treatment to choose from. Here’s a detailed insight into both of these.
- Invasive Method – Your vet will conduct a surgical procedure on your pet but there are chances that intestinal twisting might occur.
- Non-Invasive Method: Intestinal twisting can be treated by giving your pet anti-gas medications along with antibiotics. These will recover normal intestinal operation.
Sometimes, taking the two would yield better results, but sometimes your vet will only recommend antibiotics only or anti-gas medications only. The best course of medications will only be recommended after your vet physically examines your pet guinea pig.
But, if you take proper care of your pet guinea pig’s hygiene, you can avoid this from happening.
4) 3 Easy Ways To Avoid Intestinal Twisting:
Intestinal twisting can be avoided by following two simple steps.
- Make sure to clean up after your pet is done having a meal and remove any leftovers from your pet’s cage.
- Tidy up your pet’s cage and remove any hair you may find.
- Provide your pet piggy with a balanced diet and ensure you’re not overfeeding them foods that cause gas.
In short, proper clean-up and a balanced diet is all you need to lower the risks of intestinal twisting in your pet piggy.
More Information On Guinea Pigs Farting
There are some extra things that you must know about guinea pig farting to avoid any kind of harm to your pets.
1) Do Guinea Pigs Fart Smells?
Unfortunately, when a guinea pig farts, it can end up being smelly, but there is a catch. Usually, when food is digesting and processed in your pet’s body, it transforms into waste.
This waste may contain gases that stink and adds smell to your pet’s fart. Their farts primarily contain trace amounts of Sulphur which may have an egg-like aroma.
But since your pet piggy is a tiny creature, their farts usually do not get up to the levels of your nose. This means you cannot smell the farts of your pet guinea pig until and unless you’re holding your pet.
However, if you do notice the smell of their farts, it may indicate a larger issue. If the smell is more frequent and you can notice it even when you’re not holding your pet, a visit to your pet would be ideal at this point.
It may be a sign of excessive bloating and your vet will have to examine your pet piggy for further diagnostics.
2) Should You Be Worried If Your Guinea Pig Is Farting?
The only time you should be worried if your guinea pig is farting excessively and you notice other signs of discomfort and pain. If that’s the case, you need to observe your pet and notice their behavior for a few hours.
If the symptoms persist and the condition of your pet worsens, you will have to take your pet piggy to the vet immediately.
However, if you do not see any signs of discomfort and the farting is occasional, then there is nothing for you to be worried about.
5 Ways To Manage Excessive Gas In Guinea Pigs
When it comes to dealing with gas in the intestines of your pet, you will have to make certain adjustments to the diet of your pet. Here are some ways you can manage excessive gas in guinea pigs.
- The key factor here is to always keep moderation in your pet’s diet. Never overfeed your pet any food since an excess of anything is considered bad for your pet. Overfeeding will lead to many health complications including excessive gas.
- Make sure your pet’s diet is well balanced in terms of their daily requirements.
- Your pet’s main source of energy is hay which comprises of over 80% of your pet’s diet. Make sure you’re feeding your pet plenty of hay as part of your pet’s daily diet. This will also ensure your pet is receiving enough fiber from its diet.
- Introduce your pet to guinea pig pellets to ensure their daily requirements are met and their digestive system is healthy.
- Avoid feeding your pet too much fiber or it will take a toll on your pet’s digestive system. Additionally, you should also avoid feeding your pet foods that cause gas.
More on this is discussed in the next section.
8 Foods That Should Be Avoided To Lower Gas And Flatulence
Certain foods in your guinea pig’s diet will lead to producing significant amounts of gas. However, these foods will only cause gas if you overfeed them.
Don’t worry, these foods aren’t poisonous or harmful to your pet. As long as you feed them as occasional treats, there is nothing that you should be worried about. Such foods can be enjoyed 1 – 2 times a week.
To be on the safer side, you need to keep an eye on your pet when you introduce them to treats like these.
Some pets might react differently to such treats and if you notice any adverse reactions, you should avoid giving them such treats. Ideally, the foods that cause gas in your body are what will cause your pet to have gas.
To get you started, here are some foods that you need to feed your pet in limited quantities.
| Broccoli | Collard Greens |
| Peppers | Cabbage |
| Cauliflower | Bok Choy |
| Dairy products | Beans |
While these foods might benefit your pet’s health, but if you overfeed them, these will become a challenge for your pet piggy. Your pet’s poor digestive system will have trouble breaking it down and it may lead to gas.
Not all guinea pigs are alike and each has a different digestive strength. A good rule of thumb is to give your pet a diet that is tailored to its needs to avoid issues like bloating and flatulence.
18 Healthy Alternative To Introduce Your Pet To
When it comes to the foods that your pet can have, the list can get quite lengthy. The best way to ensure your pet stays healthy is to introduce them to a variety of foods and veggies.
Raspberries, Parsley, Brussels Sprouts, Oranges, Mangoes, Peaches, Blackberries, Cilantro & Pineapples are part of a balanced diet.
If you serve them in moderation and never feed them the same treats daily. There is nothing that can go wrong. Your pet will also be benefiting from such treats significantly.
Here are some healthy foods that you can introduce your pet to:
| Apples | Tomato |
| Beets | Cucumber |
| Figs | Watercress |
| Bibb lettuce | Escarole |
| Beet tops |
Additionally, make sure to add plenty of vitamin C rich foods to your pet guinea pig’s diet. As you might already know, your pet cannot produce vitamin C on its own and only acquires them from outside sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is It Normal For Guinea Pigs To Fart?
Passing gas is a healthy process and it is completely normal for guinea pigs to fart. However, if the farting becomes more frequent and they start affecting your pet’s health. You might need to examine your pet.
2) Do Guinea Pigs Fart Loud?
The answer to this question is yes. A guinea pig’s fart can either be silent or loud. However, since your pet is considered a pocket pet and is significantly smaller in size, it is highly unlikely for you to hear their farts.
The only time you will hear or smell their farts is if you’re holding your pet or if you’re peaking through their cage.
3) Do Guinea Pigs Stink Up The House?
A guinea pig can get smelly and stink up the house if you do not clean up its cage routinely. If you look after their hygiene and tidy them up, you will not have to worry about guinea pigs stinking up the house.
Do Guinea Pigs Fart? – Conclusion:
Guinea pigs fart due to the build-up of gases in their intestines and stomach usually caused by foods. It is a natural process and completely healthy for a guinea pig to fart.
If it gets stinky and excessive, it might be indicating a much bigger problem. Ideally, a visit to the vet will be recommended at this point. It can be fixed by using non-invasive methods such as anti-gas medications.
Additionally, to help your pet with farting. You will have to make certain changes in your pet’s diet and keeping it well balanced.