Chewing yarn can have dangerous complications for guinea pigs, which is why it is so important that you monitor your pigs to make sure they do not chew on their new cozies. Many pigs will leave the cozies alone if they have other things to chew on, like hay. They might take a nibble of yarn and decide they like the hay better.
When a guinea pig swallows a long piece of yarn, it travels through the pig’s digestive system to the GI tract, where it can stiffen, twist, or tangle as the GI tract moves. This is very painful for the pig and my require vet care. For this reason. supervise your animals and check the cozies often.
When you first get your new cozy, DON'T just plop it in the cage and walk away!
. It’s very important that you observe first how your cavies respond to and treat their new cozy. If one or more of your pigs regularly chews on the yarn (i.e. more than just a “taste”) DO NOT leave the cozy in the cage. If your pigs like to chew the yarn, it’s best to use the cozies during supervised floor time only. The key here is monitor, monitor, monitor.
If you do decide to keep a cozy or tunnel in the cage, make sure you check it regularly for signs of yarn chewing, like pulled or frayed stitches or discolored areas.
But don't let all of this scare you.
Our products are being constantly updated to be safer and even-more chew-resistant for your guinea pig. For example, the fleece lining now extends along the folded-over opening to discourage chewing in that area. Here at Crochet Cavy Cozies, we have our own pigs to test out our products and make sure they are safe for your pet. And each order comes with a care and information guide on caring for the products and on keeping your pig safe and cozy.
New rolled-over fleece edges
For more information on this topic and other medical and care issues, go to www.guinealynx.com.