What can excessive grooming or fur chewing indicate in a cavy?

Excessive grooming or fur chewing in a cavy is often a clear sign of stress. This behavior can manifest when the animal is feeling anxious or uncomfortable in its environment, which may be caused by various factors such as changes in habitat, lack of companionship, or even underlying health issues that haven’t been addressed.

When cavies groom themselves excessively, it can sometimes become self-destructive, leading to fur loss or skin irritations. Understanding that these actions typically stem from stress is crucial for the owner to take the appropriate steps to alleviate the cavy's discomfort. This might include improving their living conditions, providing more social interaction with other cavies, or ensuring they have enough stimulating activities to engage in.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of this behavior; for example, happiness is generally associated with a more relaxed demeanor rather than excessive grooming. Similarly, healthiness would be indicated by normal grooming behaviors, and hunger typically signals a desire for food rather than compulsive grooming.