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How common is eye pokes from hay?

Shelley anne

Shelley anne

Junior Guinea Pig
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At night one of my piggies like to sleep under hay so I put heaps of extra fresh hay in every evening so they can burrow under it. Bindy absolutely delights in it. I hear her squeal as she moves around the hay to make herself a little nest under the hay and then she just sits and eats and naps and eats again. I was wondering if so much hay could be a problem with eye pokes or am I just being paranoid. I like doing this because she enjoys it so much
 
It can always happen! I had pigs for 10 years when I was younger without a single eye injury but with my three currently, all of them had one within 6months last year, brining it up to four in three years. Unfortunately, as hay is the main part of their diet and such a big part of their enrichment, it is a risk you have to take. Good quality hay may help, but two of my injuries were from a super soft yummy green hay, so you can never tell!
Some people choose to only give hay from racks or bags so they can’t burrow in it, but I have hay-divers too and I couldn’t take that away from them now, so I just check their eyes ever time I see them and keep my fingers crossed.
 
Cool thanks for that. Yes they love playing in the hay. I will just keep an aye on them.
 
It happens often enough, but I have had pigs (including current pig Hadley) who delight in running face-first into the hay and have managed never to poke themselves in the eye with it. However, they need and love the hay, so I think it's just something to be aware of and check for to catch any eye problems early if they occur. Otherwise let them have their fun and hope for the best!
 
I have one piggie who has had 2 eye pokes and 2 abcesses from what the vet thinks are from hay pokes, it's the way he dives in and puts him nose down and throws the hay up over himself. It's hard to explain, I've never seen another piggie act quite like this. As I put handfulls of hay in the cage I have a good feel of it to try to make sure there are no sticks or sharp bits. Not much more you can do really.
 
It does happen.
I’m only surprised it’s not more common.
I’ve had piggies with hay poke and most of the time it’s easily and quickly treated.
 
Thanks everyone. Good to know its easily treated most times. I will keep adding lots in as she enjoys it so much and its fun to watch her having fun. She makes funny little squeaks as though its quite an effort to move it all and make her little nest. Its obviously important to her. Sweet.
 
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