What is a common allergic response seen in cavies?

Skin irritation or inflammation is a common allergic response seen in cavies. This reaction can manifest as redness, swelling, fur loss, or lesions on the skin. Allergies in cavies can be triggered by various factors, including food ingredients, bedding materials, or environmental allergens such as dust or pollen. When a cavy is exposed to an allergen, the immune system may react by causing inflammation in the skin, leading to discomfort and possibly excessive grooming as the animal tries to alleviate the irritation.

Other responses, while they can occur in cavies for a variety of reasons, are not specifically aligned with typical allergic responses. Excessive grooming may be a result of skin irritation itself but is not an allergic response in isolation. Increased sleeping and loss of appetite can indicate general stress or illness but do not specifically identify an allergic reaction. Thus, the presence of skin irritation or inflammation is the direct indicator of an allergic response in cavies.