When do guinea pigs sleep? Guinea pigs have barely uncommon sleep patterns. They will merely nap at any time when they get the possibility to – whether or not that is through the day or the night time.
The majority of their naps will happen within the night, partly due to how cavies have tailored to stay with people.
These little pets will normally sleep with their eyes open, and might stand up to 9.5 hours of sleep in a 24 hour interval.
Let’s take a better have a look at the bizarre guinea pig sleeping sample, and discover out why they get their relaxation like this!
Fun Facts About Guinea Pig Sleep
Guinea pigs are fantastic pets with light demeanors and pleasant attitudes. Their loving natures and cute faces could make anybody perk up after a tricky day.
You may need observed that your guinea pig at all times appears to be awake and able to greet you. In truth, it could appear as if your pet doesn’t sleep in any respect.
But guinea pigs get a whole lot of sleep – you simply could not discover it. So let’s reply some frequent guinea pig sleep questions, together with: do guinea pigs sleep at night time?
The Importance of Sleep
Guinea pigs are mammals, similar to people. And, like all different mammals, guinea pigs require sleep.
While sleep is important for all mammals, sleep patterns and desires fluctuate broadly between species. In truth, the time period “varies widely” is sort of the understatement.
Research means that this variation has so much to do with the completely different metabolic charges and power reserves of animals.
For instance, since people have a reasonable metabolism and talent to order power, they sit smack dab in the midst of mammalian sleep wants at round eight hours an evening.
Rodents like rats, mice, and even guinea pigs have quick metabolisms and use a substantial amount of power.
So, they want a whole lot of sleep with a purpose to replenish this power.
Evolution and Guinea Pig Sleep
However, guinea pigs aren’t the identical as different rodents in all areas of sleeping. They are fairly really completely different to different rodents when it comes to their sleeping habits.
Their completely different sleeping patterns are linked to the prolonged domestication of guinea pigs.
Cavies have been domesticated for properly over 4,500 years (a very very long time, however not practically so long as the domestication of cats and canine).
Studies counsel that this domestication has led to many adjustments within the pure traits of the guinea pig.
Simply put, the animals have modified their sleeping habits to adapt to life with people.
How Long Do Guinea Pigs Sleep
As we’ve already learnt, guinea pigs have quick metabolisms, similar to different rodents.
So, you is likely to be shocked at simply how a lot sleep they should perform usually.
Rats and mice sleep about 13 hours a day. Bigger rodents like guinea pigs sleep about 9.5 hours a day.
It could also be surprising to be taught that your pet guinea pig sleeps greater than you do in case you have by no means really seen your furry pal sleeping.
Broken Up Sleep
Guinea pigs hardly ever sleep for lengthy intervals of time.
They actually solely do that after they go into the REM stage of sleep.
However, because the animals actually solely want about one hour of REM sleep, you may count on your guinea pig to solely relaxation for just a little over one to 2 hours, at most, at one time.
When Do Guinea Pigs Sleep?
If you’ve by no means seen your guinea pig sleeping, you may marvel after they get their relaxation. Do guinea pigs sleep at night time or within the day?
The overwhelming majority of rodents, like rats and hamsters, are nocturnal, which means they sleep through the day.
However, squirrels and a few mice are crepuscular, which means they’re lively within the early morning and night. In normal, rodents and different prey animals will sleep when close by predators are out looking.
Guinea pigs are oddballs on the subject of their sleep patterns although, as a result of they don’t primarily sleep through the day or sleep at night time.
They merely take naps after they can. In this fashion, the animals are so much like cats that snooze a bit through the day and likewise within the night.
This sort of sleeping habits is frequent amongst carnivores that sit excessive up on the meals chain. Since carnivores wouldn’t have to fret about predators, they will sleep in broad daylight.
However, guinea pigs are removed from the highest of the meals chain. In truth, wild South American guinea pigs have quite a few predators that embody hawks, wolves, snakes, and owls.
But, your furry popcorning rodent pal is a distant cousin of his South American ancestor.
Do Guinea Pigs Sleep At Night?
If you consider the way in which your cat snoozes, then you definately in all probability take into account all the “cat naps” your feline takes.
Guinea pigs nap in the identical method, and like your cat, they do take a big portion of those naps within the night.
Since guinea pigs have tailored their sleep schedules to dwelling with their human companions, it naturally is smart that your piggy would get nearly all of his sleep at night time.
During each the day and night time, your rodent pal will undergo intervals of calm restfulness and likewise by intervals of lively wakefulness. The intervals of restfulness might be longer at night time.
This is often when your guinea pig will fall into his every day hour of REM sleep. REM sleep is extraordinarily necessary for all animals, as a result of it’s when the physique is ready to restore itself.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
Guinea pigs usually sleep with their eyes open. In truth, they hardly ever shut their eyes in any respect.
This is instinctual and it helps the rodents stay alert and able to flee at a second’s discover.
Guinea pigs, like different rodents, are prey animals in spite of everything and should stay vigilant in opposition to predators in the event that they wish to keep alive.
Since your furry pal sleeps along with his eyes open, you do see your guinea pig sleep. You simply don’t understand it.
Like most different individuals, you in all probability thought that your piggy, like perhaps a few of your different pets, slept along with his eyes closed.
And there are occasions when this will likely occur.
When Do Guinea Pigs Sleep With Their Eyes Closed?
On event, you may even see your furry pal shut his eyes, both partially or absolutely. This is a uncommon deal with, and one which you need to savor in case your piggy chooses to do that.
Guinea pigs can and can shut their eyes, however provided that they really feel fully protected and content material in your presence.
In different phrases, your pet actually trusts you if he chooses to sleep along with his eyes closed.
Expect to note this extra as your pet ages and also you construct a stronger bond along with your guinea pig.
Squeaks and Nibbles’ resident five-year-old guinea pigs recurrently nap with their eyes closed. Especially after an extended day of munching grass within the yard.
How Do Guinea Pigs Sleep?
Sometimes guinea pigs will take quick naps that solely final a couple of minutes.
If you see your guinea pig standing fully nonetheless, then he’s in all probability resting.
The animals might also lie their heads down gently, lie on their sides, or burrow in some bedding after they resolve to catch a sleep.
But, it’s most typical that they may snooze in small bursts while standing very nonetheless. In truth, there are occasions when mendacity down could be a signal of one thing extra critical.
Signs of Sickness
If you see your pet mendacity down for a number of hours through the day and night time, failing to take a deal with by hand, or sulking in a nook, then these are all indicators that your guinea pig is sick.
It is sensible to hunt out medical care with the assistance of a veterinarian as quickly as doable.
While viral infections are unusual in guinea pigs, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections are a critical concern. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, respiratory situations like bacterial pneumonia are problematic, particularly within the winter.
The infections could cause lethargy and even melancholy, and this may simply clarify why your piggy could also be sleeping greater than he needs to be.
Most infections will be handled efficiently and your fuzzy pal might be
“wheeking” with pleasure earlier than you understand it.
However, infections will also be lethal, so you need to at all times hunt down veterinary care in case you are involved about your pet.
Can Guinea Pig Diets Cause Sleepiness?
If you could have a sleepy guinea pig, then you could be questioning if there may be one other reason for the lethargy. Especially in case you are not witnessing every other apparent signs like heavy respiratory or coughing.
Well, you may wish to take a better have a look at your furry pal’s food regimen. Specifically, lethargy is often linked to a vitamin C deficiency. The deficiency could cause some muscle and joint ache, and this may result in inactivity and malaise.
While many industrial guinea pig meals do comprise an excellent quantity of vitamin C, the storage of the meals in damp, brilliant, and heat areas can significantly scale back the content material of the nutrient. Also, the age of the meals can have an have an effect on on the vitamin as properly.
It’s actually necessary to make use of an excellent high quality meals and to retailer it in the appropriate method.
Your veterinarian can full a easy blood take a look at to test your pet for a vitamin C deficiency. Supplements, treats, and high-quality meals can all be instructed to assist deal with the issue.
When Do Guinea Pigs Sleep?
As you may see, guinea pigs do sleep. But, their sleep schedule might be very completely different than you’d count on.
If you discover something far exterior of the 9.5 hour (and considerably sporadic) sleeping routine or in case you are involved about whether or not or not your piggy is a little more sleepy than he needs to be, then a veterinarian might help to evaluate what could also be inflicting the issue.
Do you could have your individual guinea pig tales to share, or does your furry pal sleep in a cute or uncommon method? Share your tales beneath within the feedback.
References and Resources
- Johnson, R. ‘Something to Wheek About: Get Happy With Guinea Pigs’, Humane Society (2011)
- Zepelin H, & Rechtschaffen A., ‘Mammalian Sleep, Longevity, and Energy Metabolism’, Brain Behav Evol. (1974)
- Lewejohann, L. (et al), ‘Wild Genius – Domestic Fool? Spatial Learning Abilities of Wild and Domestic Guinea Pigs’, Frontiers in Zoology (2010)
- Kato, T. (et al), ‘Patterns of Masseter Muscle Activities During Sleep in Guinea Pigs’, Archives of Oral Biology (2007)
- Hess, L. & Axelson, R. ‘Health Problems in Guinea Pigs’, VCA Hospitals
- Holowaychuk, M. ‘Renal Failure in a Guinea Pig (Cavia Porcellus) Following Ingestion of Oxalate Containing Plants’, Canadian Veterinary Journal (2006)
- Quesenberry, Ok. & Donnelley, T. ‘Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs’, MSD Veterinary Manual (2019)