Advice for possible improvements

[RinT]

Hello!

I rescued a boar from a very neglectful situation back in March of this year - I am not 100% sure of his age but his previous owner got him as a baby and had him for 2 years and for those 2 years he was living inside of a plastic storage box. He was fed pellets (I'm not sure of the brand of pellets but it had a bunch of stuff mixed in it), was given hay once or twice a week and veggies as a "treat". I have had him for almost 5 months (Will be 5 months on the 23rd of this month) and when I got him he was very unwell. I have spent the last 5 months with my cousin (a vet nurse) and a vet working hard to get him healthy again. He has not been neutered as we all agreed it was much more important to make sure he was healthy before putting him down for surgery - he has a vert visit next week to check him over and if he is clear then he will be getting neutered in September. After his neutering, I will be getting him 2 baby sows for friends. I know 2 and a half years alone (he was alone at his previous owner) is extremely far from ideal but I really wanted to focus on getting him better, both for the neutering and I was worried about bringing two baby sows near a sick pig. Anyway - that's his back story, he is a lot healthier now and has gained much more weight, is much more energetic and friendly too. Honestly, the difference in him within these past 5 months really does make me cry. I'm a first time Guinea Pig owner and I have done everything I can for him, which is why I'm here today. He is currently in a 2x4 c&c cage, which will be expanded to either a 2x8/3x8 or 2x10/3x10 once the new piggies come. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to improve his cage? He has multiple hides but I only really tend to put 1 in at a time and usually had a fleece forest (his current one was a bit worn out so a new one will be coming tomorrow, he has been without it since last night). He doesn't seem too interested in toys, I have tried quiet a few and have some more coming tomorrow for him to try. He is on noodle bath mats that have a waterproof liner thing under them to protect my carpet, a storage box (bigger than the one he was in) which has been cut to make a litter box, is fed pellets (oxbow/burgess) and veggies every day, fruit once or twice a week and a unlimited supply of hay. When the new pigs come the wardrobe will be moved and the cage will be put on a table where it will be expanded.

Sorry for the long post - but if there's anything I can do to improve please do let me know!

Thank you!

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/996507220672008232/1008057035591516300/IMG_0647.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/996507220672008232/1008057036111622296/IMG_0643.jpg
(links to 2 pictures of his current cage, I do not use the sawdust anymore.)

 

[Piggies&buns]

Well done for taking him in!
Its brilliant he will be getting some friends!

I would recommend, if at all possible, that you going a rescue centre to find his new friends. That way you can be sure of character compatibility and a successful bond.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Could you please add the pictures directly to the thread by pressing ‘attach files’ so that we don’t have to click on any third party links.

In terms of the toys, most piggies are not interested in them and they usually do end up just being a waste of money. The most exciting things for piggies are large piles of loose hay which they can get inside of, eat, play in, sleep in etc. toilet roll tubes stuffed with hay , cardboard boxes with holes cut in etc.

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[RinT]

Hello!

I rescued a boar from a very neglectful situation back in March of this year - I am not 100% sure of his age but his previous owner got him as a baby and had him for 2 years and for those 2 years he was living inside of a plastic storage box. He was fed pellets (I'm not sure of the brand of pellets but it had a bunch of stuff mixed in it), was given hay once or twice a week and veggies as a "treat". I have had him for almost 5 months (Will be 5 months on the 23rd of this month) and when I got him he was very unwell. I have spent the last 5 months with my cousin (a vet nurse) and a vet working hard to get him healthy again. He has not been neutered as we all agreed it was much more important to make sure he was healthy before putting him down for surgery - he has a vert visit next week to check him over and if he is clear then he will be getting neutered in September. After his neutering, I will be getting him 2 baby sows for friends. I know 2 and a half years alone (he was alone at his previous owner) is extremely far from ideal but I really wanted to focus on getting him better, both for the neutering and I was worried about bringing two baby sows near a sick pig. Anyway - that's his back story, he is a lot healthier now and has gained much more weight, is much more energetic and friendly too. Honestly, the difference in him within these past 5 months really does make me cry. I'm a first time Guinea Pig owner and I have done everything I can for him, which is why I'm here today. He is currently in a 2x4 c&c cage, which will be expanded to either a 2x8/3x8 or 2x10/3x10 once the new piggies come. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to improve his cage? He has multiple hides but I only really tend to put 1 in at a time and usually had a fleece forest (his current one was a bit worn out so a new one will be coming tomorrow, he has been without it since last night). He doesn't seem too interested in toys, I have tried quiet a few and have some more coming tomorrow for him to try. He is on noodle bath mats that have a waterproof liner thing under them to protect my carpet, a storage box (bigger than the one he was in) which has been cut to make a litter box, is fed pellets (oxbow/burgess) and veggies every day, fruit once or twice a week and a unlimited supply of hay. When the new pigs come the wardrobe will be moved and the cage will be put on a table where it will be expanded.

Sorry for the long post - but if there's anything I can do to improve please do let me know!

Thank you!

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/996507220672008232/1008057035591516300/IMG_0647.jpg
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/996507220672008232/1008057036111622296/IMG_0643.jpg
(links to 2 pictures of his current cage, I do not use the sawdust anymore.)

 

[RinT]

Well done for taking him in!
Its brilliant he will be getting some friends!

I would recommend, if at all possible, that you going a rescue centre to find his new friends. That way you can be sure of character compatibility and a successful bond.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Could you please add the pictures directly to the thread by pressing ‘attach files’ so that we don’t have to click on any third party links.

In terms of the toys, most piggies are not interested in them and they usually do end up just being a waste of money. The most exciting things for piggies are large piles of loose hay which they can get inside of, eat, play in, sleep in etc. toilet roll tubes stuffed with hay , cardboard boxes with holes cut in etc.

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Thank you so much for your reply I have replied to my post and attached the pictures - however I could not edit the original to remove the links, I apologise. I will 100% either be going to a rescue for his friends or I will be getting them from the vet my cousin works at. They often get animals surrendered to them and they currently have a few pregnant sows.

I have given him a toilet roll stuffed with hay before but I noticed that he would eat the toilet roll? Not chew it apart, but actually eat it. I was concerned about this so I stopped giving him them

 

[Siikibam]

I would put in another hide as well. And when you come to giving him his veg, scatter it in the hay.

The other thing is that pellets should be kept to a tablespoon a day. That bowl looks too full. Pellets are the chocolate of the piggy world

Well done on taking him in and I’m very sure he’s going to have the best life! Hopefully he can have the go ahead to be neutered. Remember it’s six weeks post op that he can be put with sows.

Once you know he’s being neutered (and possibly the date), I would recommend that you contact some rescues as there is usually a waiting list. Don’t limit yourself to getting him two companions. As in consider the singletons as well. It’s all down to character compatibility in any case.

Good luck.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-forum-recommended-rescues.196734/

 

[RinT]

I would put in another hide as well. And when you come to giving him his veg, scatter it in the hay.

The other thing is that pellets should be kept to a tablespoon a day. That bowl looks too full. Pellets are the chocolate of the piggy world

Well done on taking him in and I’m very sure he’s going to have the best life! Hopefully he can have the go ahead to be neutered. Remember it’s six weeks post op that he can be put with sows.

Once you know he’s being neutered (and possibly the date), I would recommend that you contact some rescues as there is usually a waiting list. Don’t limit yourself to getting him two companions. As in consider the singletons as well. It’s all down to character compatibility in any case.

Good luck.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-forum-recommended-rescues.196734/

Thank you very much! In terms of giving out pellets to 3 guinea pigs (I want to stick to 3 at the moment, but would be more than willing to get 5 in total including him if the space allows it) would it be 3 tablespoons (1 each) in the same bowl or should I put them in different bowls? Also do baby pigs need to have a smaller amount of pellets? Also what age do they stop needing alfalfa hay? They'll have 1 water bottle each.

sorry for all the questions!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you very much! In terms of giving out pellets to 3 guinea pigs (I want to stick to 3 at the moment, but would be more than willing to get 5 in total including him if the space allows it) would it be 3 tablespoons (1 each) in the same bowl or should I put them in different bowls? Also do baby pigs need to have a smaller amount of pellets? Also what age do they stop needing alfalfa hay? They'll have 1 water bottle each.

sorry for all the questions!

You don’t need to use food bowls - just throw the tablespoon of pellets each into the hay pile and they can forage through for them. It encourages natural behaviours. This also helps ensure the more quiet piggies get their share as they dominant cannot be everywhere at once!
If you do want to use bowls, then you need three separate food bowls at least one body length apart, and put a tablespoon of pellets in each bowl.

Its one tablespoon of pellets per pig per day no matter their age.

You don’t need to use alfalfa. It’s not a grass hay and doesn’t need to be in their diet at all.
Its fine to give a very tiny amount to pregnant sows to boost their reserves and babies under three weeks of age but once they are weaned they don’t need it. It’s too high in calcium.

 

[Roselina]

Hello RinT and welcome. How lovely you’ve taken this gorgeous boy in. He’s living a much better life. So good that he is healthier and you’ve had help from your cousin. You’ve had great advice from everyone .
His home looks great just for him and your plans for a bigger c&c when he gets his friends will be perfect.
The rescues are always a very good place to get companions. They can do ‘dating’ to make sure they all get on.The piggies will be properly sexed and will be healthy.
He can eat the toilet roll …it’s good fibre - if you’re worried about germs you can microwave it for a few seconds and make sure it’s cool then fill with hay.I just fill it with hay .I often fill a plain paper bag with hay and a bit of forage and my boys love nibbling it and finding the forage. I’ve wasted a lot of money on toys that are ignored a carrot house I’d good for nibbling and a wicker tunnel is good. I use bowls for my two boys pellets and I don’t leave them in all day. After a couple of hours I remove them. Good luck and check out the guides here.