Given that guinea pigs are such delicate companions, they are unable to withstand the same level of attention and care that you would provide to your other pets, such as cats and dogs.
To avoid inflicting injury to your guinea pigs, you must take precautions to guarantee that the fleas are appropriately treated.
To prevent the insect from reproducing and taking over your home, you need get rid of it as quickly as possible after discovering its presence.
Consequently, let’s delve into the intricacies of how serious it is in order to gain a better understanding of its seriousness.
Are fleas dangerous for guinea pigs?
Despite the fact that guinea pigs are not primary hosts for fleas, studies and medical professionals have confirmed that those bothersome little parasites can be fatal to our guinea pigs.
Fleas will attack any warm-blooded animal, even our guinea pigs, if they have the opportunity.
However, even though guinea pigs do not require routine flea treatment like other pets, you may still need to treat the fleas if you notice that one of your guinea pigs has one in his or her fur.
In addition, according to another study, one of the most serious potential problems is that your guinea pigs may end up ingesting the eggs or larvae of the fleas, which may cause the worms to grow into a tapeworm, which can be fatal to our animals. If this happens, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
While brushing their fur, guinea pigs may inadvertently consume fleas, which may not seem like a big deal. However, it is something to be aware of.
Some fleas, on the other hand, are carriers of diseases like as myxomatosis, which can be fatal for any pet. As a result, make certain that the fleas are completely eliminated from your property.
Table of Contents
What are fleas?
Fleas are microscopic parasites that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals such as humans and dogs.
Guinea pigs are not typically infected with a specific type of flea, but the common cat fleas and dog fleas can infest your guinea pigs and cause them to become sick or even die.
Fleas are not known to host on guinea pigs for an extended period of time.
They are on the lookout for potential hosts in the area, which may include you, dogs, cats, birds, and other animals, and will take advantage of any opportunity to jump on them.
Fleas are typically brown or black in color and can grow to be up to 2mm in length.
A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs in a single day (for a total of 500 eggs), which means it won’t be long until they’ve infested your entire home with their eggs.
In your home, they may lay an egg on one of your pets or on your rugs, carpets, or any other soft furnishing.
In most cases, other pets in your home, such as dogs, cats, and birds, serve as ideal hosts for them to lay an egg and reproduce in large numbers.
There is nothing complicated about their lifetime, and it can last anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on the environment and the host:
Flea life cycle: egg – pupa – larva – adult
Despite the fact that many people feel that guinea pigs are not the ideal hosts for fleas to lay eggs and multiply, according to the RSPCA, there is a risk of flea infestation in our guinea pigs as well.
What causes guinea pig fleas?
Guinea pigs are prone to contracting fleas from other pets, visitors, or their immediate environment. If you have other pets in your home, such as dogs and cats, it is possible that their fleas will be transferred to your guinea pigs.
Fleas from your dogs and cats may find their way into your clothing from time to time, and if you come into contact with your guinea pigs, they may jump onto them as well.
Aside from that, if a visitor comes into your home with fleas on their clothing, the fleas will infect your guinea pigs and infect them. If you keep your guinea pigs outside for some lap time, they may contract fleas from your yard in rare instances.
If you’ve had flea problems in the past or are experiencing an epidemic of the disease in your other pets, you should take extra precautions to avoid spreading the disease to them as well.
Because of the increased blood flow in pregnant and nursing guinea pigs, they are at greater risk of infestation. Make sure to keep an eye out for any possible signs of flea infestation and treat them as needed.
Do guinea pigs attract fleas?
No, guinea pigs are not directly attracted to fleas; but, their environment can do so.
According to studies, fleas require a warm, moist, and dark living environment in order to thrive, and these requirements coincide well with what we see in the majority of guinea pig cages.
The ideal temperature for guinea pigs is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is also the ideal temperature for fleas to thrive in.
Fleas and guinea pigs both dislike being in a brightly light or sunny environment.
Furthermore, because of their pee and poop, most guinea pigs have wet and humid surroundings in their bedding, which makes the atmosphere even more favorable for the development and flourishing of fleas.
Even if your guinea pigs do not have fleas, the habitat in which they live in their cage provides an ideal environment for fleas to flourish.
Can guinea pigs catch fleas from cats?
Yes, guinea pigs can obtain fleas from cats, which is a common occurrence. If your cats walk around the home or come into contact with your guinea pigs, it is possible that the fleas will attach themselves to your guinea pigs.
Another possibility is that fleas are transferred from the cats onto your skin and then leap back to your guinea pigs as you reach out to touch them.
Can my guinea pig get fleas from my dog?
In fact, guinea pigs have been known to pick up fleas from cats on occasion. It is possible that your cats will prowl around your house or that they will come into close contact with your guinea pigs, causing the fleas to jump on them.
Another theory is that fleas are transferred from the cats onto your skin and then leap back to your guinea pigs when you reach out to touch them.
Can guinea pigs get fleas from hay?
The answer is yes, guinea pigs can contract fleas from hay. Fleas require a host in order to survive, but they can remain dormant for an extended period of time until they find a suitable host to attach themselves to.
As a result, if you typically purchase hay in large quantities, such as hay bales or from a farmer’s supply store, there is a good likelihood that it will contain fleas as well.
Despite the fact that many companies package and prepare hay, this does not make it flea-proof; rather, it significantly minimizes the likelihood of this happening.
As a result, it would be best if you made certain that your guinea pigs were fed hay that was fresh and of high quality.
If the hay is not properly maintained, it might become damp, which can attract fleas as well as other insects. As a result, make certain that it is kept safe.
Can guinea pigs get fleas from grass?
Yes, guinea pigs can get fleas from grass as well as from other sources. Because fleas can be carried by the wind and land, if you allow your Guinea Pigs to roam freely in your yard or keep them in an enclosed run in your yard, there is a good potential that your Guinea Pigs will pick up fleas from that area.
While we always place our guinea pigs in an enclosure or run around in a shady area to prevent direct sunlight from reaching them, fleas do not like it when they are exposed to bright sunlight at all.
In addition, these regions are a prime breeding ground for fleas, increasing the likelihood that your guinea pigs will contract fleas from the grass in your yard as a result of this.
Signs your guinea pig has fleas
Fleas are small and move quickly, so it can be difficult to detect one on your guinea pig’s fur at first glance.
While not the most obvious indicator of flea infection, flea dirt is among the first signs that our guinea pigs are infested with the parasite.
Flea dirt appears as a brown or black speck in the dog’s fur. You can use a flea comb to carefully comb through your guinea pig’s hair to find any flea filth that has accumulated.
After that, you can use a white paper towel (wet) to cover the contents of the container.
In this case, if the soil turns red, it is almost certainly flea dirt, and you should take immediate action to eliminate it completely.
Flea larvae live on this dirt, so it’s critical to act quickly if you notice a problem.
There are a few other signs or changes in behavior that can potentially indicate a flea infestation, aside from the obvious. The following are examples of warning signs:
- Itching
- Patch in hair or hair loss
- Lethargy and unwilling to move
- Rashes in the skin, etc.
How to get rid of guinea pig fleas?
The treatment of fleas in guinea pigs can be somewhat different from the treatment of fleas in our cats and dogs.
However, while the foundations of therapy are the same as they always have been, we aim to avoid using chemicals and flea treatment, which are typically used on cats and dogs.
Despite the fact that guinea pigs are gentle creatures, they require special attention when faced with a problem like this.
So, what should you do in order to get rid of the fleas on your guinea pig? Here are seven simple steps you can do to get started:
Use a flea comb
The first and most fundamental method of getting rid of guinea pig fleas is to comb them out with a flea comb, which is available at any pet store.
All you have to do is fill a container halfway with water and then begin brushing the fur off of your guinea pig in parts. Make certain that you reach every nook and cranny and that you thoroughly comb them.
Fleas, their eggs, and flea filth should be checked for on the comb before using it. Fleas that have been captured should be drowned in water and the process should be repeated.
It is possible that you may need to comb your guinea pigs twice a day for one week to ensure that all fleas have been eliminated.
The only thing you have to do is continuously comb them for a few days if all your guinea pigs have is fleas and no eggs, larvae, or flea filth, and you’ll be good to go.
However, if you discover evidence of other substances as well, you may need to take additional precautions.
Isolate your guinea pigs from other pets
Isolating your guinea pigs from other pets is most likely one of the most important things you should take to ensure their well-being.
Other pets, such as dogs and cats, might bring fleas into your home and infest your guinea pigs.
This way, you can get rid of the fleas on your guinea pigs without having to worry about spreading the disease to your other pets by putting them in a cage.
Treat other pets for fleas
Once you’ve separated your guinea pigs from the rest of your animals, it’s time to treat them for flea infestations.
A high possibility exists that the fleece came from simply your cats or dogs if you have them in your home.
As a result, administering a suitable flea treatment to them and keeping them away from your guinea pigs may assist you in dealing with it effectively.
Eradicate fleas from your home
Fleas can be difficult to eradicate once they have taken up residence in your home.
During the winter, fleas can lay dormant in your household furnishings such as sofas, mattresses, floor mats, and rugs for several months before finding a suitable host to restart their life cycle.
As a result, if you leave even a single flea behind in your home, they have the potential to reproduce in large numbers in the future.
However, there are particular procedures that you may take to ensure that they don’t come back in the future.
- Vacuum your home including the lounges, rugs, and carpet regularly. Do make sure you empty the vacuum cleaner outside and trash the dirt in a sealed bag.
- Steam clean your carpets every three months. (Use this amazing compact steam carpet cleaner)
- Frequent laundry of your pets bedding(dogs/cats) can help control fleas
- Change or wash your guinea pigs bedding every week. Switch to quality bedding that keeps cage dry and clean. (I prefer Guineadad fleece liners)
- Get a pest control service if you cannot handle the mess.
Give them a bath
It can also be beneficial to give your guinea pigs a brief bath to help remove flea eggs and dirt from their coats.
In order to get rid of the fleas from their hair, you need use a high-quality guinea pig shampoo.
Please keep in mind that you should avoid giving your guinea pigs a bath if you have never done it before or if they are suffering from any other medical problem.
If you are unsure of what you should do, you should visit a veterinarian.
We offer a comprehensive instruction on how to bathe your guinea pigs, as well as information on what you should know before doing so.
Apply a guinea pig safe fleas treatment
The usage of flea medication is good, but it is only used as a last choice when it comes to treating fleas in guinea pigs.
It is important to note that not all flea treatment treatments available on the market are safe for our guinea pigs, so it is important to check the component list before using one.
This excellent flea spray that I purchased for my guinea pigs and bunnies from Amazon was a personal favorite of mine.
I performed some independent research and discovered that a medicine known as Imidacloprid (also known as Advantage in the United States) can be used to effectively treat problems such as fleas, mites, and lice in guinea pigs.
There are a variety of additional drugs available on the market. However, you should always consult with your veterinarian before administering any medication to your guinea pigs.
Prevent fleas from returning
Flea control is a never-ending battle, especially if you have pets in your house.
As a result, you must remain on top of things at all times. Once you’ve brought fleas under control, you can take the following procedures to ensure that they stay under control:
- Once a week, use a flea comb to comb through the coat of your guinea pig.
- Change the bedding in your guinea pig’s cage on a regular basis, and keep the cage clean at all times.
- Keep an eye on your guinea pig’s health and keep an eye out for any signs of flea infestation in your home.
- If you are doubtful, see a veterinarian.
- Maintain a regular schedule of laundry and steam cleaning your soft furnishings throughout your home.
In guinea pigs, flea treatment is not necessary on a regular basis. In other circumstances, though, if fleas keep returning, you may want to take steps to prevent them from occurring in the first place. If you require additional assistance in determining the source of the problem, consult a veterinarian.
Can guinea pig fleas bite humans?
Fleas are capable of biting people. If you have fleas on your guinea pigs or other pets in your home, there is a good risk that you will have them on you as well.
Fleas, on the other hand, prefer pets and soft furnishings in which to deposit their eggs, so you may be safe in this regard.
You should keep in mind, however, that some humans can develop allergies if certain insects, such as fleas, bite them; therefore, you should be aware of this possibility.
