Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 06:34 pm
o Keeping guinea pigs is a lot of fun because they are very interesting and manage to make our owners’ day happier.
Guinea pigs love to play with them, hold them and talk to them. But sometimes some strange things happen, such as when they don’t want us to touch their belly.
Why does a guinea pig not let you touch its belly?
Guinea pigs do not like to be touched on their bellies because it is their natural behavior they are prey when they are in nature and they do not want to show their bellies or maybe because of pregnancy.
In today’s article, we will find out why guinea pigs avoid touching their stomachs and similar questions related to this topic.
Why do guinea pigs not like to be touched on their belly?
Guinea pigs are very smart, but also very sensitive about some parts of their body such as their belly.
They don’t want us to touch their bellies because that’s what mother nature taught them. They don’t want us to touch them on the belly even when they are pregnant.
When guinea pigs are sick or have problems with diarrhea, parasites, abscesses, and other diseases they will not want you to touch their belly.
Apparently touching a guinea pig’s belly is a very sensitive spot for them and they will avoid letting you do it at all costs, except on rare occasions when they have a lot of trust in you.
Let’s take a closer look at these reasons and the refusal of guinea pigs to touch their bellies.
Guinea pigs do not like to have their bellies touched because they are prey
Guinea pigs, like other small animals, are usually prey, and therefore they have to hide during the day and come out at dusk and dawn to find food to survive.
Also, Guinea pigs do not want us to touch their stomachs because that is how they are taught in nature.
WHEN predators attack guinea pigs they usually grab them by the bellies.
That’s why guinea pigs have developed self-defense against touching their stomach, they can’t forget that it’s their place that predators use most often when they want to kill them.
When guinea pigs have diarrhea, they don’t want us to touch their bellies
Diarrhea is a very unpleasant phenomenon for all animals, so it is also unpleasant for guinea pigs.
When guinea pigs have diarrhea they are very sensitive to their bellies and will not let you touch them.
Also when guinea pigs have diarrhea in addition to easygoing stools, it can be noticed by the following symptoms:
- dehydration
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
When guinea pigs have diarrhea, they also have difficulties with digesting food, stomach pains, and certainly least of all, they want someone to touch their bellies.
Diarrhea is a dangerous disease that must be treated immediately by a veterinarian in order not to cause fatal consequences and the death of guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs do not like their owners touching their bellies out of fear
Guinea pigs do not allow you to touch their bellies because they are afraid.
It will take a long time for the guinea pig to allow you to touch its belly after you start keeping it.
When he gains a lot of trust in you, only then will he allow you to touch his stomach. Some guinea pigs may never allow you to touch their belly, and that’s completely normal.
There is no need to force your pets if they don’t want to be touched on their stomach, you can touch them on other parts of their body.
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract
When guinea pigs have gastrointestinal problems they do not want anyone to touch their bellies.
In such an occurrence, there is a reduction in movement or a complete cessation of movement in the digestive system of guinea pigs.
Then the guinea pigs have a blockage in the movement of their intestines, which is very uncomfortable and can be a big problem.
When guinea pigs have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it can be noticed by the following symptoms:
- lethargy
- aggressive behavior
- poop changes in shape and color
- decreased appetite
- reducing water intake
When guinea pigs have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, they must be taken to a veterinarian immediately to begin treatment, as the consequences can be fatal to their health and life.
In order to prevent such an occurrence, proper nutrition with hay, water and a healthy diet rich in fiber and other nutrients is necessary.
Because of pregnancy
When guinea pigs do not want to be touched on their belly they probably having pregnant.
If your pet has previously allowed you to touch its belly and suddenly stops allowing you to do so, then it is a sign that your pet is pregnant.
When guinea pigs are pregnant, it can be noticed by their diet, because they will start eating much more than the usual food.
In addition to eating more, they will start to gain more weight, that is, they will increase their weight.
Parasites and abscesses
When guinea pigs have parasites such as mites they will not allow you to touch their bellies.
Sometimes abscesses can also be the cause as they can form as swellings under the skin and be problematic and painful for guinea pigs.
When a guinea pig has something wrong, disease or parasites they will normally avoid touching their delicate belly.
It is very important how the guinea pig will be kept at home at the beginning of its life.
If you regularly pick him up and play with him from the beginning, then the chances are much higher that he will allow you to touch his belly.
If the guinea pig has not had enough socialization in its environment then it will probably never allow you to touch its belly.
That’s why it is necessary to start showing him how much you care for him, and how much you love him because they notice it much more than you think.
Read more: Do Guinea Pigs Have Belly Buttons? (Let’s Discover)
Conclusion
Guinea pigs usually do not want to be touched on their bellies, because it is a very sensitive place for them.
They do not like to be touched on the stomach because they have a natural instinct to protect their stomach which is often the place of attack from predators when they are in nature.
Guinea pigs do not want us to touch their bellies and if they are simply not used to it since they were small, or they did not have enough socialization with their owners.
Other reasons why they don’t want us to touch their bellies are pregnancy and various diseases such as diarrhea, abscesses, and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Although guinea pigs may not allow you to touch their belly, it does not mean that they do not love you, there is no need to be angry with them.
Read more: Can Guinea Pigs Abort Their Babies? Let’s Discover
