Mary Allen
Your rabbit doesn’t want to eat? Is the guinea pig sitting crouched in the corner or lying on the floor with its hind legs stretched out? These can be warning signs of pain. PetReader explains which clues you can use to recognize that your rabbit is suffering.
Rabbits and guinea pigs are considered to be true masters at hiding pain – and it’s in their genes. Because this is how they protect themselves from predators in the wild.
Therefore, you should carefully observe the body language of your rodent and correctly interpret even the smallest signs of pain.
Painful Rabbits Often Flap Their Ears
If long ears suffer from pain, this can be recognized not only by their loss of appetite but also by the fact that they often close their ears. If the eyes step back into the sockets and stay half or fully closed, the alarm bells should ring for you.
It is also not a good sign when the cheeks of the Mummelmanns look flat, the whiskers are rigid and are pulled close to the body. If the rabbit shows any of these symptoms, this is a clear indication of pain.
Guinea pigs are Difficult Patients
Guinea pigs are also difficult patients. According to veterinarians, indications for ailments are not just nervous, restless, or apathetic behavior – you should also take a crooked posture and ruffled fur seriously and bring the little patient to the doctor quickly.
If you hear a clear gnashing of teeth and even loud whistles, the disease could already be at an advanced stage.