White patches

[SallyM79]

Hi all,

Hope someone can help. We have been guinea pig owners since Thursday and all going well so far. They are still nervous so haven't attempted to hold them yet.
However my question today is that I have noticed some small white patches appearing on the fleece. Any idea what these are and should I be worried?
Thank you

 

[Wheekallweek]

They look like calcium deposits to me. I believe it’s normal in guinea pigs provided the wee isn’t sludgy and the piggy has no pain when toileting

 

[Posyrose]

These are deposits from wee. Check the texture - gross I know - the things we do for our piggies! If it is powdery that's fine and quite normal, if it feels gritty then take your piggy to the vet as it indicate that they may have stones or sludge in their bladder.

 

[Betsy]

Its quite normal so don't panic. The only way piggies can excrete excess calcium in their diet is in their wee.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

Hope someone can help. We have been guinea pig owners since Thursday and all going well so far. They are still nervous so haven't attempted to hold them yet.
However my question today is that I have noticed some small white patches appearing on the fleece. Any idea what these are and should I be worried?
Thank you

Hi! Guinea pigs excrete excess calcium in their diet via their pees. these are milky looking and dry to powdery white deposits. That is nothing to worry about.

I would however strongly recommend to look at your diet if you get lots of them on a nearly daily basis and to see your vet if you notice sharp, gritty bits in the powder (crystals that can form sludge in the bladder, often caused by a diet that is too high in calcium).

Please take the time to read these guides here. You will find them helpful and hopefully interesting. Be aware that the majority of calcium comes not necessarily from your veg but from the water and the pellets, but that too much veg and pellets can be life shortening and cause health problems.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Guinea pig body quirks

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