A few questions from a new guinea pig owner :)

[Georgiacait]

Hi,

I had a few questions and didn't want to bombard the forum with lots of different threads, hope that's okay.

I have two rescue girls from the RSPCA, so don't know tons about their history, only that they were abandoned.

They are in a homemade wooden cage equivalent to a 2x5 c+c cage. We are upgrading their cage this week, which will be 220x70cm. I have found that they're not the most active. They spend most of their time under their Ikea doll bed. I am leaving it in at the minute as they are spending a lot of time next to each other, hopefully keeping each other warm. I try and give them floor time as often as I can and do find them much more active when I do, as long as I don't include their doll bed.

I think they get along, but I don't think they have the best relationship. There is a lot of head raising at each other and quite a bit of rumble strutting. How do I know who is at the top of the pecking order? I have only seen Lola rumble strut, is it most likely to be her? If I was to add a neutered male in the future, would this break their bond or help it? As the cage will be plenty big enough, it is something I would like to do at some point soon. There is a gorgeous boy at an RSPCA nearby.

Today, I noticed that one of the girls has a bit of a dirty bum. Like she has sat in a little bit of wee. She's short-haired but with some long hair at the back. How is best to clean it?

One other question I had was about the colour of the wee. They are on fleece, which I do like. but sometimes I see some white stains. How do I know if it is calcium related or just normal cloudy urine?

I am about to book a vet appointment for one of the girls as there have now been two occurrences where she has broken her teeth. She's still eating her hay and vegetables and pellets. She does like to jump on top of some of her hides, but none are at a great height. To my knowledge, she doesn't chew the bars on the front of the cage. Any ideas as to why it could be happening?

Sorry for the long piece of text, I could split into the relevant categories if that would be helpful?
TIA!

 

[Georgiacait]

I have had them since the 6th of November if that helps

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Lola on the left and Phoebe on the right

 

[Piggies&buns]

They are gorgeous!

In terms of increasing their cage, make sure to use some of the previous bedding in the new set up. A cage size change constitutes a change in territories so using soiled bedding means it still smells of them and makes the transition easier for them.

The head raising and rumbling is normal dominance, nothing to be concerned about. It does not mean they don’t get on, it is them simply confirming their relationship and hierarchy and of course being sows when they are in season you may see an increase in this behaviour.

You can add a neutered boar if you wish for do so.
A boar is part of group hierarchy but not part of the sow hierarchy, however, he will need to be accepted by the sows so dating is safest to ensure they want another piggy in their bond.
Adding a boar will not help their bond - if two sows really don’t get on, adding a boar will not change that.

You can give the occasional bum bath if necessary but young, healthy piggies should be keeping themselves clean. You can also perhaps use a cloth of pet safe wipes if there is minor soiling. Ensure long hair around the back end is cut short.

White stains is the excretion of calcium. Seeing them is not an issue unless it is happening a lot or if they feel gritty.
In that case, a review of the diet is needed to ensure unlimited hay, one cup of veg (with high calcium veg being give less frequently) and one tablespoon of pellets is being given.

 

[Cheekypigs]

Hello Phoebe and Lola!

I'm not surprised they're still hiding a lot, it's not been very long. Give them time to settle in.

A certain amount of dominance behaviour is just normal for guinea pigs, it's not a sign they don't like each other. That seems to be something that a lot of new owners worry about, but it really is just the way they are. The cut and thrust of normal piggy interaction.