What Are Guinea Pigs Allergic To?
75Fortunately, guinea pigs are NOT allergic to cuteness.
Although they are becoming more popular as pets, not all vets or pet-sitters you will encounter will know what guinea pigs are allergic to. It is therefore up to you as guinea pig guardian to know what your pet is allergic to. Here are the main allergens:
Penicillin
This and the medicines listed below will kill guinea pigs, just as it would with a human who is allergic to penicillin, unless an antidote is administered in time. Death is usually by diarrhea, as all of the good bacteria in the digestive system is killed off. As most pet animals are NOT allergic to penicillin, it couldn't hurt to gently remind your vet.
Other Medications
amoxicillin (Clavamox)
ampicillin
bacitracin
cefadroxil
cephalexin * (derivative: Cefadroxil)
cephalosporins
cephazolin
chlortetracycline
clindamycin
dihydrostreptomycin
erythromycin
lincomycin
oxytetracycline
streptomycin
Aloe Vera
This popular antibacterial is natural and gentle enough for babies and puppies - but not guinea pigs. It makes them itch. Even products with a small percentage of aloe vera will irritate a piggy's skin so much they will scratch themselves open. This was discovered only a few years ago, so any older guinea pig care books that recommend aloe vera gel for guinea pigs are WRONG.
Cedar Shavings
This is a cheap and widely available bedding often touted for guinea pigs. However, guinea pigs are allergic to the oils in cedar bedding. Over time, they will develop health problems in their internal organs. Some will immediately get skin rashes from it.
Pine Bedding
This was considered the premium guinea pig bedding until the last few years, when it was proven that pine bedding not only can bring about liver damage with long term use, but is a home for mites. These mites only bother small animals, but can make you itch briefly.
Iceberg Lettuce
Guinea pigs will argue with you about this, as they do love the taste. However, this is the least nutritious of lettuces and can give painful digestive problems. It is also thought that iceberg lettuce may contribute to kidney problems.
Chocolate
This will get guinea pigs very sick, if not kill them. They just can't handle it. You probably already know this, but anyone visiting your guinea pig may not. Guinea pigs tend to explore the world with their mouths, so they will nibble on a proffered piece. If you want to give a guinea pig a treat, try something from this list instead.
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Comments
guinea pigs are not alergic to cedar bedding b/c my teacher has used cedar bedding for 3-4 years and has not had any problems with it
What else are they allergic to??
What else are they allergic to??
Heyy you are exactly right about everything . I have 18 guineapigs and i have a piczo website called www.xsapphirecaviesx.piczo.com
Cynthia... cedar is the worst bedding you can use for any small animal. Google cedar toxicity in small animals and do your research. For Guinea pig health see www.guinealynx.info
I went to the vet cause my piggy had some infection on his right paw. He recommended me to use aloe vera.
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THis is just the hing im looking for! I am now glad I know that aloe Vera is not good for guinea pigs thank you!:) that helps me alot.
i have two guinea pigs. I was watching one eat today and i saw her with a huge/medium bald spot! Ive ben gathering information on if they shed what are mites and all the other stuff....by looking at my guinea pig, it might have mites. btw i use PIne Bedding!
my piggie died because of bad medicene.always check labels and thx for telling me about those medicenesbeing bad!
omg,thank for the advice i wouldent have knowed about the medicene thing;)
My guinea pig has mites (again) and I dabbed it with aloe vera after a bath and she screamed!!! Will never use again. (Bathed her again later to get it off of her) Before - when our g pigs had mites - vet gave a shot of ivermectin and the mites were gone. Now we're going back. (This vet rx'd fish oil cap innards on her food) ((Didn't work)) And by the way - things that harm pets don't always do immediate harm. Sometimes it takes years (as in the cedar shavings). Cedar repels most insects (and animals) because they are so toxic.
im making a cage for a guinea pig, what kind should or shouldn't use. Im doing this for my little brother who desperatley wants a guinea pig. Do you have any suggestions on how to make a guinea pig cage or what it should look like (dimensions). Also thx for all the wonderful info on their allergies it really helps me out XD.
in cages that you buy at the store they have plastic bottoms. do GP's usually eat stuff like plastic or stuff other than veggies? If so is it harmful for them to consume plastic.
Scott,
Try www.guineapigcages.com for good info on building a cage. Hope this helps!
Im working on saving up for a guinea pig and I think that this sight will really help my guinea pig live for a long time. Thanks!
When you are bathing your guinea pig, do you have to buy a special shampoo for them or should you just wipe them down with a wet cloth?
how come my guinea pig seems real lonely?
and we cant play with her because she bites alot!
help :[
Hi do you have to bye special guinea pig bathing stuff your can you just wash them in water? please answer
how do you tame your guinea pigs mine are real scared
Your guinea pig just has to get used to you. If you don't play with it it will never have the chance. It is important that you slowly introduce yourself to it. If you stick your finger in its cage it will naturally think it is soemthing to chew on. Try holding veggies out to your little piggie. IT will grow to associate you with the tasty treat. Make sure you give your guinea pig plenty of time and attention an eventually it will grow to love you just as wny other animal would. It is important that you make this connection. Guinea pigs are social creatures and need someone with whom they can connect and spend time.
Hi I am thirteen and my two guinea pigs have mites and i think they are alergic to them. they keep itching and scratching and turning round, and then. having a FIT. I have bathed them in mite shampoo for guinea pigs, kept an eye on them, and everything like that. I don't know whether to take them to the vets about it, because a friend told me that they couldn't get rid of the mutes, their guinea pig lost it's fur and when they took it ti the vets it was given an injection -which killed it. I am so so worried, and i don't know what to do, it terrifies me when they start fitting, and i don't want them to die as i love them very much. PLEASE HELP!
buy ivervectin,Rhiannon...
and check the right dosage of ivervectin for your g pig and how to use
go to vet also
To Cynthia: These are COMMON allergys to guinea pigs. MOST are allergic to cedar, but that does NOT mean YOUR guinea pig. Ok?
Just got three Guinea pigs... very excited. They are VERY verbal and lots of fun. Thanks for all the info.
Just got two cute guinea pigs recently. one is about 8weeks and the other I would say is about 5-6weeks. Well the little one; I'm noticing is starting to scratch from time to time. Concerned so I made an appointment with the vet. I'm worried though because I'm afraid they may mis-diagnose and they give him some medication that will harm him. I understand that if they are scratching, could be mites. Can anyone tell me what medication if vet prescribes maybe harmful so I don't allow him to apply that particular medicaton.
Could this piggy be allergic to EastEnders? Film by 99jdee
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Tina Orchard says:
17 months ago
this site don't really tell me if a guina pig is allgic to nuts (anytype)