Guinea pigs are small, furry creatures that make great pets. But did you know that, like humans, guinea pigs go through a teething process? Understanding how and why guinea pigs go through this process is essential so you can take proper care of your pet. So let’s take a look at the teething process in guinea pigs.
Do guinea pigs go through teething?
Guinea pigs undergo a teething process that’s both similar and yet different from humans.
In the same way that human infants experience growing pains from new teeth erupting, guinea pigs do too.
An essential difference between these species, however, is the length of time their teething lasts – for guinea pigs, it’s 6 to 10 weeks, compared to approximately three years for human children.
During this period, owners should expect their beloved pets to chew on anything they can find – nails, toys, and furniture.
This can be disappointing, but it should also remind us that our pet understands how frustrating teething can be.
The good news is that they should no longer resort to destructive behaviors once they’re out of teething.
You can provide lots of suitable chewing material, such as hay or wood sticks, so that they can satisfy those gnawing needs healthfully.
Teething Basics
Guinea pigs begin to cut their teeth when they are just a few weeks old.
While it’s common for guinea pigs to start cutting their teeth earlier, most will wait about four weeks before beginning the process.
During teething, new and permanent teeth will replace the baby teeth present when your pet is born.
The entire teething process can take two to three months and is marked by several stages.
At first, your guinea pig will lose its baby front incisors and molars.
After this, they’ll gain their permanent incisors and then their molars.
Your pet should have 20 teeth—four incisors on top and bottom and six molars on top and bottom.
Common Symptoms During Teething
During the teething period, it’s essential to pay close attention to your pet’s behavior; some signs may indicate pain or discomfort due to the teething process.
Common symptoms may include drooling or excessive salivation, reluctance to eat hard food or treats, redness or swelling around the mouth area, or even bloody gums if the new teeth are coming in too quickly for your pet’s comfort.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your guinea pig during teething, speaking with a veterinarian for advice on how best to support them may be helpful.
What can I do to help them?
As guinea pigs typically don’t get to wander about and find twigs or grasses to chew on, we, as owners, must provide items like rawhide chews designed explicitly for small animals.
Ensure you are carefully checking your guinea pig’s teeth weekly to ensure everything is looking healthy and that new baby teeth are coming in correctly.
We care for these furry little creatures, so ensuring our guinea pigs’ teething issues are a significant part of that job.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs go through a teething process just like humans do! Understanding what this looks like is critical in taking proper care of your pet — from recognizing common symptoms of discomfort due to teething so you can help them out during this time down to knowing how many permanent teeth they should end up with once they’re done going through this stage of development.
Ensure you’re paying close attention during your pet’s teething period — helping them along the way can set them up for success later on.
