How do the feet differ...

[Beemz]

... between our domestic guinea pigs and their closest wild relative?
We are told that ours have very delicate feet and must be given a soft surface to prevent bumblefoot. Do ours have thinner skin and if so is this the result of living on soft surfaces or because as we bred them their feet got softer?
I’m really hung up on the whole nail trimming thing as obviously in the wild their relatives wear their nails down by being outside but yet we’re told we must trim the nails rather than prevent them growing.
Am I missing something? I need answers from someone who really knows their cavy anatomy. Thanks

 

[sport_billy]

Probably environment. Think of humans who don't wear shoes such a tribes in a jungle, their feet would harden up to allow them to walk on uneven, sharp surfaces without pain

As for nail trimming again piggies living on rocks all day their nails would wear down, ours live on fleece etc.... not going to wear anything down.

 

[Beemz]

Probably environment. Think of humans who don't wear shoes such a tribes in a jungle, their feet would harden up to allow them to walk on uneven, sharp surfaces without pain

As for nail trimming again piggies living on rocks all day their nails would wear down, ours live on fleece etc.... not going to wear anything down.

My late father n law was a zoologist- his knowledge is a huge loss but he always told me to try and mimic an animal’s ancestral environment. I don’t believe our pet pigs have had long enough to evolve so differently from their closest relatives- temperament and slight change of body shape yes. Human feet are exactly as they were 250,000 years ago and I know even with one summer my soles thicken
I’ve always been one to think outside the box so therefore I have added a terracotta tile to their cage. I want their feet to toughen very gradually then add another.
On the flip side I read that guineas solely on fleece can get tissue overgrowths because it’s too soft to even keep their skin down let alone the nails.
Their ancestors lived on rocky outcrops and lived in caves, cracks in rocks or animal burrows.
Controversially I think we are mollycoddling our piggies too much.

 

[Beemz]

To be further controversial- in the livestock world, especially goats it is very much looked down on if you need to trim the hooves more than twice a year- the reason being they are supposed to be kept on hard ground with rock piles etc.
Feet and hooves can’t be compared but my theory is if we are having to cut the guinea’s nails then surely we are keeping them in the wrong environment? I know most wont agree but I simply don’t want to put my pigs through the stress of nail cuts if I can prevent it.

 

[Tiamolly123]

It's finding the right thing to wear there claws down.
Regarding Molly coddling our piggys, Noooooooooo
I only fed them the best, grate there dinner so it all looks good, cuddle them, talk to them to the extent, that my family think lm mad. Naw I don't moddling me piggies.

 

[Beemz]

It's finding the right thing to wear there claws down.
Regarding Molly coddling our piggys, Noooooooooo
I only fed them the best, grate there dinner so it all looks good, cuddle them, talk to them to the extent, that my family think lm mad. Naw I don't moddling me piggies.

 

[Beemz]

I’m using a roof tile-fairly smooth but hopefully abrasive enough.
I also use a handmade tile (terracotta) where their pellets are. The other side of the cage is hay and hideys.

 

[piggieminder]

Years ago I had outdoor piggies who had half their enclosure covered with concrete patio slabs, they still needed their nails cut regularly although probably not as often as my cosseted present day piggies on vet bed!