I was giving my pigs a bath and nail trim when I saw a dark growth on there feet. I asked my parents what they taught it was and they had no idea. The pigs are eating normal and walking/jumping around normal. They have had them for around a month now. I would of gone to a vet but my parent's said if they are acting normal to just leave it. I just found this website and was hoping to find an answer to what it could be. the growth looks like poo but wont come off in water it is also hard
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my Guinea Pig's have a dark hard growth on there feet
- Thread starter fay fay
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Gia
Teenage Guinea Pig
Welcome to the forum! Can you please upload a photo of it?
Hannah_xx
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Hi and welcome! You’ve come to the right place for advice 
What type of bedding are they on? And photos of the feet would be great for us to see
What type of bedding are they on? And photos of the feet would be great for us to see
Lady Kelly
Senior Guinea Pig
Hi and welcome to the forum. In my experience dark "growths" are either a stuck and dried up poop or a foot spur but photo's would be handy to be able to see what you are referring to
AMMAH
Junior Guinea Pig
Yes, one of mine used to get foot spurs (like a soft nail that randomly grows out of their foot!).
If that's what they are, they are quite common
Hi!
Spurs are very common on front feet. About a quarter of guinea pigs develop them. They are basically a dead skin growth. You only need to do anything about them if they pose a danger of catching on something and ripping off. Never cut too close to live skin, as that is very painful and can cripple the piggies.
However, poos can get stuck to feet and are surprisingly hard to get off again!
Here are pictures and more information on spurs: Guinea Lynx :: Guinea Pig Feet and Foot Problems
Here is a guide that takes you through the body to help you learn what is normal or not when you do your weekly health check: Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
The other part of the weekly health check is the weigh-in. By doing this, you can hopefully catch any developing problems early on:
Weight - Monitoring and Management
thank you all for being willing to help here's a pic of the biggest one and the bedding I use.
I clean there cage weekly and give them baths once a month
sorry this is the best pic I could get with out her getting unconformable
I clean there cage weekly and give them baths once a month
sorry this is the best pic I could get with out her getting unconformable
Yes, that is a classic spur. Please rather ask a vet or a piggy savvy nurse to cut it back for you than doing it yourself. But nothing to worry about!