Baby guinea pigs

mls18

mls18

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Does anyone know how likely one month guinea pigs are to die? I cant find a answer online. Also do they require any special care or is it the same as a adult.
 
I wouldn’t think they are any more or less likely than any other piggy if you are basing it purely on age - any health condition can crop up at any point.

In terms of their diet, then they should be fed as an adult piggy - an unlimited hay based diet, with a cup of veg but with new veg introduced slowly so as to not upset their tummies, and a tablespoon of pellets.
In terms of their social needs, then they are far greater than an adult. Piggies under four months of age must not be quarantined and should be bonded with an older piggy immediately
 
Piggies&buns said:
I wouldn’t think they are any more or less likely than any other piggy if you are basing it purely on age - any health condition can crop up at any point.

In terms of their diet, then they should be fed as an adult piggy - an unlimited hay based diet, with a cup of veg but with new veg introduced slowly so as to not upset their tummies, and a tablespoon of pellets.
In terms of their social needs, then they are far greater than an adult. Piggies under four months of age must not be quarantined and should be bonded with an older piggy immediately
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Oh ok! Thanks alot!
 
Are you thinking about taking on a baby for your boar?
Is it a baby from a rescue centre?
 
Do you have a 1 month old or is it something you might get?
 
mls18 said:
Yes I am thinking of adopting a guinea pig who is almost two months old from a shelter.
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I really wouldn’t worry about this piggy being young and being concerned with death because of that.

Babies are often accepted by older piggies as they take them on in a kind of father/uncle guiding role. The fact you are doing this via the rescue, as I said in your other thread, is fantastic and will give your boy a chance to be sure he is happy with a new piggy. As your boy has been alone for a long time, then this is definitely the way to go about it.
 
Piggies&buns said:
I really wouldn’t worry about this piggy being young and being concerned with death because of that.

Babies are often accepted by older piggies as they take them on in a kind of father/uncle guiding role. The fact you are doing this via the rescue, as I said in your other thread, is fantastic and will give your boy a chance to be sure he is happy with a new piggy. As your boy has been alone for a long time, then this is definitely the way to go about it.
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Oh ok that's great news! Thank you! Glad to know that I'm doing this right. :D
 
mls18 said:
Yes I am thinking of adopting a guinea pig who is almost two months old from a shelter.
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Hi and welcome

Great that you are doing your research beforehand.

4 weeks is about the age babies are weaned. By then, they are fully able to eat on their own (the shift from mainly drinking to mainly eating happens in the second week of their lives). Ideally, you want them around 6-8 weeks of age when they are a little sturdier and their immune system has had that bit more time to build up.

Has your 6 years old boar always been on his own or did he have a companion? Single piggies that have lived without companionship of their own kind since a young age may have lost the ability to identify themselves as guinea pigs or may have major gaps in their socialisation and therefore deficits in their social interaction with others of their kind when they meet them.
If at all possible, please talk this through with your rescue before bringing a baby home.
This guide here is having a closer look at some of the challenges you may be facing with a single piggy; especially a long term single: Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

Also be aware that a rescue may not be willing to rehome to a place where piggies and dogs interact. Sadly, too many piggies die from sudden dog attacks; it usually happens in a matter of seconds and too fast for the owner to intervene. It doesn't say anything about your dog, just about the rescue having made some bad experiences and not wanting to put another adoptee in a potentially risky situation for a perfectly valid reason.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

4 weeks is about the age babies are weaned. By then, they are fully able to eat on their own (the shift from mainly drinking to mainly eating happens in the second week of their lives). Ideally, you want them around 6-8 weeks of age when they are a little sturdier and their immune system has had that bit more time to build up.

Has your 6 years old boar always been on his own or did he have a companion? Single piggies that have lived without companionship of their own kind since a young age may have lost the ability to identify themselves as guinea pigs or may have major gaps in their socialisation and therefore deficits in their social interaction with others of their kind when they meet them.
If at all possible, please talk this through with your rescue before bringing a baby home.
This guide here is having a closer look at some of the challenges you may be facing with a single piggy; especially a long term single: Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

Also be aware that a rescue may not be willing to rehome to a place where piggies and dogs interact. Sadly, too many piggies die from sudden dog attacks. It doesn't say anything about your dog, just about the rescue having made some bad experiences and not wanting to put another adoptee in a potentially risky situation.
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He had a cage mate for the first two years of his life before he unfortunately died. Oh I didnt know that, I told the rescue about my dog and they didnt say anything about it. Thank you for all the usefull information!
 
mls18 said:
He had a cage mate for the first two years of his life before he unfortunately died. Oh I didnt know that, I told the rescue about my dog and they didnt say anything about it. Thank you for all the usefull information!
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It very much depends on whether rescues have made bad experiences with other pets or not.
But you may find the practical information in our Singles guides helpful for the planning in case things don't run as smoothly as thought.
 
Wiebke said:
It very much depends on whether rescues have made bad experiences with other pets or not.
But you may find the practical information in our Singles guides helpful for the planning in case things don't run as smoothly as thought.
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Thanks! I have gone through some of it and so far its tought me alot :) thanks alot!
 
mls18 said:
Thanks! I have gone through some of it and so far its tought me alot :) thanks alot!
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I hope that it will help you to work out the best way forward for you and your boy by giving him options without ending up with too much of a mess yourself in case it all goes haywire. I do however hope that it is going to work out. ;)

I know of several 6 year old life-long single boars who have been adopted out from a rescue to find happiness at the end of their lives with a dated bereaved older owners' piggy, so it is very much down to the individual and what works or doesn't work for them.
 
Wiebke said:
I hope that it will help you to work out the best way forward for you and your boy by giving him options without ending up with too much of a mess yourself in case it all goes haywire. I do however hope that it is going to work out. ;)

I know of several 6 year old life-long single boars who have been adopted out from a rescue to find happiness at the end of their lives with a dated bereaved older owners' piggy, so it is very much down to the individual and what works or doesn't work for them.
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Thank you! You have been really helpfull! I also hope that it works out :D
 
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