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Flinching When Touching Sides

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Demi

Demi

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Hi I was wondering if this is common my female Guinea pig Bella is flinching when I touch her sides is the common or may it be something else? She is around 4 months old. Thanks
 
Is it only her sides? Is there one side she flinches more for? Guinea pigs themselves flinch a lot. They're very alert as they're prey animals and suddenly touching her is bound to startle her a bit. Is she also bolting away? Maybe she's uncomfortable with being picked up and assumes that's what you're going to do or has a personal preference for NOT being touched in that area. Remember to reach for guinea pigs cautiously and let them know of your prescene. They're super skittish and will be uncomfortable and scared if you suddenly touch them.

If it is just her sides there are many possibilities. She could've hurt her sides doing something and is having some aches there. We've all had those moments. How long has this been going on for? If it has been a prolonged period of time I advise you go to the vet. This is something that is pretty vague and possibly only a vet can assess it. Notice any other strange behaviours she my be exhibiting such as a change in diet, more hyper or more lazy, etc.

I hope a solution is found to her problem and it's nothing too serious.
 
Hi there!

Some guinea pigs just simply dont like being touched in certain areas. One of my girls absolutely loathes a chin tickle, but my other 2 love it..

Is she bright/eating/active still? Does her skin look irritated and/or seem itchy?

If this isnt normal behaviour for your GP, i would suggest a vet visit to rule out any abdominal discomfort or skin issue that makes contact painful (such as mites).

All the best x
 
Hi thanks for your reply a she likes been handled she give piggy kisses and was doing so last night when I was handling her. I have never noticed it before but maybe I've never done it before? She's eating fine and is her usual self :) just thought it was a little wierd how she was just flinching from the sides I guess I'll just leave her there it was just worrying me it might be like bloat or pain in her stomach. I'll keep a eye on her :) thank you again
 
Well this morning during veggie feed she was popcorning all over so I think she's probably not in any pain haha
 
Hi, we have three boars and two of them hate being touched on their sides, just in front of their back legs.
 
She loves been stroked and climbs up my chest to get to my face she's so funny :p I just stroked her on her sides as she's looking a little chubby on her sides she's always been a bit of a pear shape though since I've had her at 8 weeks
 
We've got guinea's that will "round house" kick you if you touch their sides and moan when you touch their back end!
 
Kerrie74 said:
We've got guinea's that will "round house" kick you if you touch their sides and moan when you touch their back end!
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Haha that's quite funny :p it's just the worrying side of me as we lost a piggy at just 6 months old I took her to the vet numerous times but I just couldn't save her.
 
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