Fluffed up Piggies

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Midge&Panda

Midge&Panda

Adult Guinea Pig
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I just wanted to know other members opinions/ ideas on something that has been puzzling me for a while. Now I know when a piggie is unwell one of the first signs is fluffed up hair/fur but this is usually accompanied with other symptoms.
When I give my girls certain foodstuff in particular cucumber they will fluff up their fur as if they are sickening for something, it usually stays like that for about 30mins to an hour. I thought maybe if the veg was cold it was a reaction to that or even making themselves look bigger so the other girls in the group are put off 'stealing' it.
Any thoughts ?/
 
I'm not sure to be honest, my 3 always seem to fluff up when they are sitting and eating their food from their dish, i think its because they are enjoying it, maybe as you said its because its cold.....
 
William used to do this ALL the time - from being a baby to when he was poorly and passed away.

We took it as a sign he wanted to look bigger so he could get first dibs on food, so no-one would come and challenge him otherwise.

He of course did it when he was really poorly too, but apart from that, the making himself look bigger was what we took from it.

Could be completely wrong :))
 
One of my boys does it, I think it is again to say "All this food will be mine" His brother just ignores it and steals food from his mouth anyway
 
When my group of 11 girls eat my younger pigs will all fluff out and appear much bigger than they actually are. I think mine puff out to try and "protect" their food, you can't blame them though Matilda, Madison & Ruby are scary little monsters around food ;)
 
A few of mine do this too! I like the idea that they do it to appear bigger and its the smaller of the herd that do it. Makes sense.

Its always something I was a little concerned over the last 6 or so years I have had them but they have been a very healthy bunch so I just decided it was a 'guinea thing'. Good to hear its pretty normal behaviour....
 
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