My new guinea pigs have red, puffy feet. Is it serious? How to help?

Question

My boyfriend and I just recently adopted 2 adult male guinea pigs. Zeke and Cinnabon. We noticed while trying to trim their nails that their feet were very red and kind of puffy. We are unsure if this is a concern or of this is the way they’re supposed to look. They are very uncomfortable with us and we were wondering if there are any tips we can try to make them feel at home. Pet's info: Small Animal | Guinea Pig | Male | 2 lbs

Penelope Graben, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, Guinea pigs can develop pododermatitis, or infections on the bottom of the feet, from standing on hard or wire surfaces. It's difficult to tell from the picture if the feet are abnormal or not. Check all four feet on both of the pigs to check for swellings, flaking, or changes in color. These are signs they need to be seen by a vet. Guinea pigs are very skittish prey animals, and it can take some time to earn their trust. Avoid loud noises or sudden movements. Spending time near them and being still, such as when reading or watching tv, can help them get used to being around you. Here is an article on guinea pig behavior that may help you better understand their social needs: https://lafeber.com/vet/behavior-basics-guinea-pig/ I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

My new guinea pigs have red, puffy feet. Is it serious? How to help?

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