How guinea pigs see our world, features of the vision of a rodent

If we compare the hearing and smell of a guinea pig, then we can say about vision that it is unimportant, like all rodents. So how do guinea pigs see our world?

Objects that are located above the eyes of the animal are blurred for him. At their level of vision, the relief of the surface is well distinguished and an instant reaction to illumination is observed.

The main reference point for the animal is smell and hearing. Therefore, the face of the owner for her is just something blocking the light.

organs of vision

How this animal looks at the world, what its eyes distinguish. The pig has big eyes. They are located on the sides. Because of this feature, she has the opportunity to view what is happening in front, behind and from the side. The animal can instantly detect danger and hide in a timely manner. The vision of a rodent has not been sufficiently studied, but studies have shown that it is able to see in color, distinguishing a certain number of shades and determines an object in motion.

The guinea pig’s environment is observed in several colors:

• green;
• yellow;
• red;
• blue.

This ability is important for the pet in the process of eating food. The rodent is short-sighted from birth, so the emphasis is on other senses.

How does a pig see in the dark?

Like any other rodent, a guinea pig orients itself and sees in a dark room. She does not become helpless – she eats, drinks, does her own thing. But guinea pigs still have daytime vision. They need light. For this reason, before placing the cage, care should be taken that it is in a well-lit area (but not under direct sunlight or a lamp). It has been noticed that if the animal lives for a long time without daylight, this does not affect his health in the best way. He degrades, gets sick more often, he has problems with immunity.

Possible vision problems

Guinea pigs have almost no vision problems. This rarely happens, and then it is a consequence of other diseases, most often respiratory. Also, eye problems can happen due to dental disease, diabetes, or dehydration of the rodent. Discharge from the eyes becomes noticeable – they are quite cloudy. In this case, the animal can see worse, the quality of vision decreases.

In an animal as a result of damage to the eye, a corneal ulcer may occur. The owner should carefully examine his beloved pet if the eyes are swollen and watery, and the pig is restless, squinting and scratching its muzzle.

Quite rare, but cataracts are often found in these rodents, which occurs due to age or diabetes. Sometimes an animal is born blind, usually it adapts quite well, and what its life will be depends on the owner.

How to check and not start your pet’s eyesight

You can check your eyesight and understand if your guinea pig sees well by consulting a veterinarian. But in order not to start the process, you need to pay more attention to your pet.

Come to the cage more often and take him in your arms, then you will not miss the following symptoms:

• the pupil is cloudy or a film has formed;
• eyeball twitches;
• eyelid reddened;
• discharge from the eyes;
• unnatural position of the eyelid (or it is wrapped);
• protrusion of the eyeball.

The blindness of the animal can be checked by bringing an object sharply, unexpectedly to it. A sighted animal will react to the likely danger and twitch. This is how the instinct of self-preservation works. A blind rodent will not react.

Since the vision of a pig from birth is unimportant, the owner should learn three important rules for the comfortable existence of his beloved pet:

1. If there is a suspicion that something is wrong with the eyes, you need to contact the veterinarian, and not hope that the animal is all right. Often inexperienced owners think that if the animal plays, runs up to a bowl of food, then it sees. This may be a mistake, as the mumps in the environment is guided by smells and is thus misleading.
2. Do not place the cage in a too dark place, as well as in direct sunlight or under a lamp – this negatively affects the animal’s vision and can provoke its deterioration.
3. Closely monitor the animal if it is released to run freely on the grass (for example, in the country). With undetected blindness, the animal can harm itself.

Vision is not the main sense organ in guinea pigs, despite the fact that they have a wide viewing angle. If the animal does not have visible damage to the eyes, then most likely there is no reason to worry.

Read also informative articles about guinea pigs “Intelligence, character and behavior of guinea pigs” and “The external and internal structure of the body of a guinea pig”.

Video: how guinea pigs see