Eating Poop

[Ellbell]

Hey,

I recently just watched my 12 week old girl turn around and eat her poop. This can't be healthy. Is it normal?

 

[gus+walter]

Hey,

I recently just watched my 12 week old girl turn around and eat her poop. This can't be healthy. Is it normal?

This is totally normal. They produce certain poops that they eat to get all the nutrients out of their food.
The first time I seen one of my boys do this I thought ewww there are better things on the menu!

 

[Ellbell]

Wow I really didn't know that. Makes me feel so much better knowing it's normal though. Thanks!

 

[gus+walter]

Wow I really didn't know that. Makes me feel so much better knowing it's normal though. Thanks!

You'll see them usually take it straight from their bums. They almost make it look cute!

 

[Freela]

It's normal, and in fact is actually essential for their digestion to function properly. All the long fibers in hay and grasses are very hard to digest. The special 'cecal pellet' poops that they eat contain minerals and nutrients that we essentially missed the first time around. It's similar to a cow chewing their cud repeatedly- different mechanism, same purpose served.

If you want to really experience gross, look up posts on 'poop soup,' which basically involves taking the poop from a healthy guinea pig and feeding it to an ill guinea pig with digestive upset in order to repopulate their normal healthy gut flora that can be disrupted by illness or antibiotics. I've had to make 'poop soup' a couple times... nasty from a human perspective, but very good for an ill guinea pig with digestive upset!

 

[Freela]

My daughter suggested that if they would just learn to eat ALL their poop they would be the perfect, self-cleaning pet. I can't help but think she has a point, with the amount of poop they produce!