Beans Acting Strange Since Maple Arrived - Big Weight Loss

Beans&Toast

Beans&Toast

Adult Guinea Pig
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So since introducing Beans to Maple on Thursday they've been getting on okay. No fights but just what I considered normal - some rumbling, chasing, attempting to mount.

Maple seems to really want to be near Beans, when she goes for her nap, or just goes anywhere in the cage Maple will follow her and want to sit next to her.

Beans also follows Maple about, but it's almost like she is trying to chase her/sniff her. I can't work out if Beans is being protective of her or if she maybe doesn't like her in the cage.


Beans weighed 1124g last Wednesday. Pretty much a normal weight for her give or take 20g. On Friday (the morning after getting Maple) She had went down to 1090g. Yesterday (Sunday) I weighed her and she was 1069g. This morning I weighed her she was 1049g, the lowest weight she's ever been. Since the introduction I've noticed Beans isn't eating as much hay, and isn't going near her favourite hay that she usually spends all day burrowing in. Why is this? It almost seems like Beans is too distracted with what Maple is doing to eat.


I don't I understand what's going on. It seems like Beans wants to be near Maple as she follows her to lie next to her and they slept next to each other last night. But she also seems to be getting annoyed if Maple comes near her other times.

I'm worried about the big weight loss since introducing Maple. She's lost 40g from Friday- Sunday, and lost 74g in total since last wednesday.

Can it be normal for a pig to lose weight from the stress of bonding?

I'm so worried for Beans, could it be that she prefered to be on her own? Is this normal and she's just adjusting to the change?
 
Katiedid said:
I am watching this because Jet has done the same - chasing and weight loss - I was about to post the same thing.
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Oh really? A big weight loss? I'm so worried. I'd hate to think I've done the wrong thing by adding in a friend and maybe she was happier on her own? I don't know.
 
I expected him to have a weight loss yesterday as he basically ran round, but he starts at 1,060 in the morning and by evening is 1100. lunchtime today he was 1,050!
 
Firstly I would say don't panic.
Try to only weight at the exact same time every day, as weight can vary a lot at different times of day.

I would say it is probably due to increased exercise and excitement offered by a major change in living circumstances.
If Beans seems happy and is definitely eating, drinking and pooing, then it might just take a few days for her to calm back down and get used to having an active companion around.

But it might also be worth taking her out of the cage (or partitioning a small area off) for an hour or two and giving her the chance to really relax and eat calmly and without interruption.
This would also give you a good chance to observe how she reacts when she is on her own.
 
I am in agreement with @Swissgreys on this one. If she is eating pooing etc.... then dont'toverally panic. How old is Miss Beans now?

Great advice from Fiona above
 
Thanks @sport_billy and @Swissgreys for the advice.

She is pooing but she's not at the hay as much as she was before or the water bottle, but will take her veg. It's honestly like she's on edge, like she's keeping her eye on Maple and wants to follow her if she moves somewhere.. if that makes sense.

Beans is about 6. She's also got quite bad arthritis in her back legs/hips which she's on pain relief for so I'm worried about that too, maybe all the running has hurt her? I'm just panicking that I've made the wrong decision and now Beans isn't happy with friend - even though she seems happy with Maple at times.

She is running around a lot more now so I appreciate it could be from all the extra exercise. But something just seems off with her. I don't know if it's just normal stress of bonding like you say
 
I had the same happen with Bramble when I introduced Ebony, in total she went down from 1000g to 900g! Shes slowly gaining a little back, I think it was as said above, increased activity with a new friend. Ive been getting her out from time to time for some quiet time and a meal away from Ebonys excitement which seems to be helping.
 
It's reassuring that it seems to be a bit normal for piggies to act this way after a new introduction. The weight loss worries me as she's older.

How long before the chasing should stop? They get on at times and they're fine but then other times Beans just will not stop chasing her and wants to sniff her and almost show her who's boss?
 
Beans&Toast said:
How long before the chasing should stop? They get on at times and they're fine but then other times Beans just will not stop chasing her and wants to sniff her and almost show her who's boss?
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The other thing you could try would be to make the cage a bit smaller for a few days.
I know you have a fantastic cage set up, but maybe with less space they will be able to see/smell each otehr constantly and this will allow Beans to settle a bit?
As she is a bit older her sight and hearing might not be what they once were, and so she feels to the need to keep an eye on Maple. If they had less space this might help?
 
Swissgreys said:
The other thing you could try would be to make the cage a bit smaller for a few days.
I know you have a fantastic cage set up, but maybe with less space they will be able to see/smell each otehr constantly and this will allow Beans to settle a bit?
As she is a bit older her sight and hearing might not be what they once were, and so she feels to the need to keep an eye on Maple. If they had less space this might help?
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Thank you :nod: It's definitely worth a try anyway. I checked her weight this evening before dinner compared to this morning before breakfast and she's put 20g back on. I know the weights can vary but it's better than having lost more.
 
My experience of almost all bondings is that there is a period of adjustment with lots of moving around. Even younger piggies can lose weight. I think it may be a good idea as the others have suggested to make the run a bit smaller while they settle in. Are there 2hay areas, 2 feeding areas etc to make sure that Beans can eat undisturbed? Good news that she’s gained a bit of weight again.
 
VickiA said:
My experience of almost all bondings is that there is a period of adjustment with lots of moving around. Even younger piggies can lose weight. I think it may be a good idea as the others have suggested to make the run a bit smaller while they settle in. Are there 2hay areas, 2 feeding areas etc to make sure that Beans can eat undisturbed? Good news that she’s gained a bit of weight again.
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Thats good to hear then that its not uncommon. There's 6 hay areas and 3 water bottles so there's no reason she wouldn't be able to get to them, I don't know if I'm humanizing them but it's like Maple is this young baby who just wants a friend and wants to follow Beans around and Beans is this grumpy old pig who wants a friend but also needs her alone time...
 
Beans&Toast said:
Thats good to hear then that its not uncommon. There's 6 hay areas and 3 water bottles so there's no reason she wouldn't be able to get to them, I don't know if I'm humanizing them but it's like Maple is this young baby who just wants a friend and wants to follow Beans around and Beans is this grumpy old pig who wants a friend but also needs her alone time...
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Nope - I think that’s probably exactly how it is!
 
Beans&Toast said:
Thats good to hear then that its not uncommon. There's 6 hay areas and 3 water bottles so there's no reason she wouldn't be able to get to them, I don't know if I'm humanizing them but it's like Maple is this young baby who just wants a friend and wants to follow Beans around and Beans is this grumpy old pig who wants a friend but also needs her alone time...
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They do have those kind of personalities don't they. I actually think you may have hit the nail on the head earlier. If she has arthritis and has been running about more than usual, it will probably be giving her a wee bit of gip, and she'll be feeling a bit sore and grumpy....just like granny when the damp gets her rheumatism going. lol
 
That's Beans now lost 100g since last Thursday. I'm getting worried now, I don't want this turning into a dental issue as well if she's not eating enough hay. She's never had a single dental problem the whole time I've had her.


I don't know how to explain it, but since Getting Maple, Beans doesn't seam to want to leave her side, and vice versa. So at night time the two of them cuddle up in the hidey for a sleep and don't leave for ages. Wheras usually Beans would potter about nibbling hay throughout the night.

What's going on?..
 
Beans&Toast said:
That's Beans now lost 100g since last Thursday. I'm getting worried now, I don't want this turning into a dental issue as well if she's not eating enough hay. She's never had a single dental problem the whole time I've had her.


I don't know how to explain it, but since Getting Maple, Beans doesn't seam to want to leave her side, and vice versa. So at night time the two of them cuddle up in the hidey for a sleep and don't leave for ages. Wheras usually Beans would potter about nibbling hay throughout the night.

What's going on?..
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In that last post from you it really sounds as if they are enjoying each other’s company if they are snuggling up together. Beans could be in some discomfort from the extra exercise so do you have any Metacam or Loxicom you could give her until she’s more settled therefore not feeling the need to follow her new companion around so much? As others have said a little time on her own may encourage her to eat and relax for a while!
 
Janice C said:
In that last post from you it really sounds as if they are enjoying each other’s company if they are snuggling up together. Beans could be in some discomfort from the extra exercise so do you have any Metacam or Loxicom you could give her until she’s more settled therefore not feeling the need to follow her new companion around so much? As others have said a little time on her own may encourage her to eat and relax for a while!
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Thank you, Beans is already on Tramadol and Loxicom daily for her arthritis, although it could be increased slightly (after asking the vet of course) I have been bringing Beans out to have some grass and nuggets on her own. It's honestly like she's so cosy with Maple she doesn't want to move. I know that sounds daft but it's what it looks like.
 
Beans&Toast said:
Thats good to hear then that its not uncommon. There's 6 hay areas and 3 water bottles so there's no reason she wouldn't be able to get to them, I don't know if I'm humanizing them but it's like Maple is this young baby who just wants a friend and wants to follow Beans around and Beans is this grumpy old pig who wants a friend but also needs her alone time...
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This sounds a bit like the story of "Up!"
 
Aww bless her. Poor little Beans. She maybe thinks she has to babysit this little troublemaker. I'm glad they're getting on ok but hope Beans gets back to normal soon. Could you even maybe reduce their cage size for a while so that Maple doesn't run so much and Beans doesn't have to chase her?
 
She's lost another 30g over night so that's 130g lost in a week. She eats veg and nuggets when given to her, it's hay she's not eating anymore for some reason, and only since Maple arrived last Thursday.

I've made the cage a bit smaller but it made no difference, Beans just constantly follows wherever Maple goes to see what she's doing.


Could it be that all the extra running around is causing Beans pain and that's why she's not eating hay?

Could it be that she's stressed with Maple being there? She follows her everywhere and always sleep next to each other but maybe she's on edge?


I'm panicking now. I'm even feeding Beans more nuggets than usual to try keep some weight on her but it's not helped. Should I make an appointment at the vets now?
 
I would go and see he vet, Biscuit lost 50g but has maintained for 2 days. Jet lost 60g but has now put 30g of that back on and he is running round after Binky - but now he has calmed down enough to stop and eat.
 
I'm going to phone, I'm so worried for her.

I can't understand why she's suddenly stop eating as much hay, to the point where she's losing so much weight. Only thing I can think is the running about is painful for her.

@Katiedid how long did it take for your pigs to settle again?
 
Bear in mind that my 4 had THE most relaxed boding ever (Biscuit slotted in as Matriarch, Jet has been asserting dominance over the other 2 but has been a LOT more active as Binky has wanted to play continually with Uncle Jet because . We put them together on Sunday - Jet lost a load of weight, Biscuit didn't (the little ones didn't at all - although Ziggy is poorly again so losing weight). Monday Jet was down more and biscuit had lost some weight. Tuesday Jet lost more weight as did biscuit. Wed Jet maintained, Biscuit put on 20g. Today Jet had put on a load and I haven't weighed Biscuit as I weigh her before bed.
 
Stupid question is she still eating her poop? Because both of mine lost weight because they were too busy doing things and seemed to stop eating their poop totally (the cage was full of soft poops).
 
Katiedid said:
Stupid question is she still eating her poop? Because both of mine lost weight because they were too busy doing things and seemed to stop eating their poop totally (the cage was full of soft poops).
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I can honestly say I haven't noticed if she's stopped... I'll keep an eye out. Would that be a reason for weight loss though?
 
I would definitely get her checked out, if only to put your mind at ease. I was thinking though - does she have to go up a ramp, or climb into a litter tray to get to the hay? If her joints are annoying her, is it possible that it's a bit sore to get to the hay, so she's just eating what she can reach easily? (My main kitchen area is up a ramp, which is why this occurred to me)
 
Reenie said:
I would definitely get her checked out, if only to put your mind at ease. I was thinking though - does she have to go up a ramp, or climb into a litter tray to get to the hay? If her joints are annoying her, is it possible that it's a bit sore to get to the hay, so she's just eating what she can reach easily? (My main kitchen area is up a ramp, which is why this occurred to me)
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Nah everything is flat now since finding out she has arthritis.

There is access to by everywhere in the cage. 4 of the 5 hideys have hay in them too so she can get to it all easily enough. I really think it's something to do with the introduction of Maple, I don't get it
 
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