Do Guinea Pigs Fart? (Is It Normal?)

It might sound weird, but guinea pigs do fart. 

It happens when they eat a certain type of food. It messes up with their digestive system; result, bloating and gas.

Farting is completely normal and natural behavior and considered healthy, and there’s nothing to worry about it.

Do Guinea Pigs Fart

But if your cavy is farting and passing gas regularly, it could be a sign of upset stomach, digestive issue, excessive gas, and bloating, which should be addressed as soon as possible.

In this article, we will look into the reasons why do guinea pigs fart and some possible solutions.

Do Guinea Pigs Fart?

Yes, guinea pigs do fart, and it’s completely normal behavior, but farting often could be dangerous.

Guinea pigs have a digestive system similar to ours, yet they cannot pass a large amount of gas through their intestine, resulting in bloating, which could be life-threatening.

So, when your guinea pig eats foods that cause gas (dairy, vegetable, e.g., broccoli and cauliflower) or gulp food without chewing it properly, it can cause gas in the bodies of these little rodents.

Why Do Guinea Pigs Fart?

Guinea pigs have a digestive system similar to ours, so when excessive gas upsurges in the intestines, they fart to release the gas.

It usually happens with they eat foods that build excessive gas or gulp food without chewing it properly.

Another cause of excessive bloating could be volvulus (intestinal twisting), a dangerous situation that causes intestinal blockage and can disturb the digestion process.

It can cause abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, constipation, and bloody stool, and it could be deadly if left untreated.

So, you must pay attention if your cavy is farting more often; it could be a sign of excess gas or bloating, which requires medical attention.

Bloating In Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs have a digestive system similar to ours, but they cannot pass a large amount of gas through their internal organ. 

Bloating In Guinea Pigs

So it’s obvious to build a certain gas amount of intestinal gas during the digestion process.

Bloating occurs when the excess gas trapped in the stomach causes organs to become compressed.

While farting is normal and considered good for a healthy digestive system, sometimes it could lead to bloating, which can cause discomfort, immobility, pain, and even death if it’s not treated within time.

Symptoms of Bloating

It’s common to produce gas while digesting food, but if your guinea pig continuously produces gas without passing them out of the body, it can lead to bloating.

Guinea pigs have similar digestive systems to us, but they can’t pass a large quantity of gas through their intestine.

So, bloating occurs when the excess gas trapped inside your guinea pig’s body begins to compress its organs.

In guinea pigs, bloating could be severe, discomforted, and often much more painful.

Here are some common symptoms of bloating:

  • Hard and swollen belly
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness
  • Lethargy
  • Weight loss
  • Lessor no bowel movements
  • Breathing issue

These are the common signs of bloating. However, sore or distended belly; gassy smell also could be a sign of bloating.

Thus, if you suspect your guinea pig bloat, immediately take your guinea pig to the vet.

Causes Of Bloating And Gas in Guinea Pigs

Building gas is a natural part of healthy digestion, but sometimes your pet may produce excessive gas, which further leads to bloating.

Bloating could be really uncomfortable, painful, and even fatal if not treated within the time. 

The primary reason for bloating is the wrong diet or when your cavy eats something that causes excessive gas, but there could be other reasons.

Here are some of the common reasons for excessive gas and bloating:

A Sudden Change In Diet

Diet plays a vital role in building gas and causing bloating. 

Guinea pigs may have dietary intolerance and digestive issues that might cause bloated belly or excessive gas.

A Sudden Change In Diet

Some vegetables may be hard for your little cavy to digest. So, if your pet is farting excessively, you should limit or avoid feeding vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and peppers. These may produce excessive gas in your guinea pig’s belly.

So, if you notice that your cavies have dietary intolerance or issues with any of these vegetables, consult your vet right away and change their diet accordingly.

Twisted Bowel

Intestinal twisting could be a reason for excessive gas and farting. It’s a serious condition that can slow down the digestion process by blocking the gastrointestinal tract, making it difficult for your little bud to pass gas.

A cavy suffering from a twisted bowel will experience a lack of appetite, hairball impaction, no bowel movement, and lethargy.

So, if you notice your pig is eating less than usual or refusing to eat and have a distended belly, it could be a sign of intestinal twisting. In this case, you should consult a vet right away.

Gulping Food

Gulping food could be a reason for bloating. So, whenever your little cavy eats food without properly chewing it, they end up swallowing the air that cannot pass through their digestive tract.

So, if your cavy eats food too quickly, it may cause bloating and stomach pain.

Dehydration

Dehydration and stress could also be a reason for gas formation in guinea pigs. If your cavy is drinking less water, their digestive system may suffer and can build gas, resulting in excessive farting and bloating.

So, keep checking if your little guinea pig is drinking sufficient water or not, and always offer them fresh, clean, and room temperature water.

Fermentable Fibers

Fiber is good for health, but fermentable fibers could be harmful; it releases a lot of gassy byproducts, which collectively cause bloating and excessive farting.

Whenever your cavy eats excess sweet fruits, fresh herbs, and vegetables such as brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, white cabbage, beans, and legumes, it produces gas which can cause bloating and impulsive farting.

Treatment

Most of the time, guinea pigs farting isn’t dangerous, and you do not have to do anything at all.

However, if it’s messing up with your guinea pig’s eating habit or they are experiencing pain or swollen belly, you should consult with your vet, and he will suggest you the proper treatment for your pet.

The easiest way to stop excessive gas and bloating is by limiting the foods that cause gas when it comes to treatment. Cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, greens, and cabbage are the major culprits.

Your vet may also prescribe anti-gas medications, a combination of probiotics and antibiotics that can provide relief and aid in restoring usual intestinal function.

Usually, medicines are effective in excessive gas and bloating, but still, if your guinea pig suffers from excessive gas and bloating several times during its lifespan, your vet may conduct surgery to solve the problem.

Do Guinea Pigs Farts Smell?

It might sound weird, but you won’t really get the smell of your guinea pig fart even if it has a foul odor.

They are so small that their fart doesn’t affect or change the air around them, but if they fart while you are holding them, then you might get a sense of it.

Guinea pig farts don’t usually smell bad, but just like us, if they have a digestive issue, upset stomach, gas, or bloat, their fart can stink up the room.

So, in the case of smelly gas, I recommend you visit a vet. He will figure out and tell you the exact reason and appropriate treatment.

How Often Do Guinea Pigs Fart?

Most of the time, guinea pig farts a few times a week or so, and it means their digestive system is working and it’s healthy.

And sometimes they fart more than usual if they have something that causes gas like beans, milk, or vegetables such as broccoli, cabbages, bok choy, peppers, or cauliflower.

So, if your guinea pig is farting after eating any of these, then they might be alright after a few hours or the next day.

But if your guinea pig is farting more often or repetitively, it could be an indication of something serious. In this case, schedule an appointment with a vet.

How To Stop Excessive Farting In Guinea Pigs?

Generally, farting happens to get rid of the excess gas from the stomach, but if your guinea pig is farting more often, it could be a sign of a digestive issue.

The most probable reason could be your guinea pig’s diet. They are herbivores, and it’s essential for them to have a good amount of fiber in their diet for the smooth functioning of the digestive system.

Don’t offer them junk or greasy food, which we usually eat, and avoid vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and peppers; they can worsen the situation.

And try to include less dense and fibrous foods carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, and a lot of leafy greens that are easy to digest.

Is Farting Normal? Should I Be Worried?

In general, guinea pig farting is normal behavior, and there is nothing to worry about it. In fact, farting is considered a healthy activity as it helps to get rid of the gas from their body.

However, suppose your guinea pig is often farting, with a bloated belly, discomfort, anorexia, or signs of pain. 

In that case, it could be a sign of something serious health problem which requires medical attention.

So, to keep your guinea pig healthy and energetic, always give them a fresh, balanced diet with a lot of fiber and other nutritious.

Final Thoughts

Guinea pigs do fart, and it’s absolutely normal.

Usually, gas or bloating occurs due to unhealthy food, so the best thing you can do to reduce the farting is, provide them with a well-balanced diet with high fiber to maintain a healthy digestive system.

However, if your guinea pig is farting more often, it could be a sign of a bloated belly, excessive gas, discomfort, anorexia, or pain. In this case, I strongly recommend you to visit a vet.

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