OK, this is probably a silly question, but it is really bothering me so I am going to ask anyway.
Can guinea pigs pine for a human?
We have recently been away on holiday.
We were gone for 13 days, and our regular pet sitter came every day (twice a day when the temperatures were above 28 degrees) to feed, water and clean the piggies (and rabbits and birds).
We have used her many times, I trust her implicitly, and she is very thorough.
We get regular updates (photos and videos).
Over that time 3 of our piggies weights remained stable (ok, technically Eddi gained 15 grams, but I suspect the pet sitter is a bit liberal with the blueberries and has a soft spot for Eddi's endless begging
). But both Oreo's and Lucy's weight changed by less than 5 grams.
And Ruby lost 96 grams
Since we arrived home she has been under close watch, and is eating, drinking, pooing and behaving totally normally. I know she was fine while we were away as I have 2 videos of her pottering around, eating, and being generally Ruby-ish.
Her coat is shiny, eyes bright, etc. and seems to be her usual feisty self.
There is clearly nothing wrong with her which would point to a dramatic weight loss.
But she and my DD share an incredibly close bond.
On a daily basis Ruby would be held by DD for 45 mins + and handled at least 2 - 3 times (but only by DD - she bites everyone else).
Whenever DD goes to the cage Ruby runs to the edge and stands there waiting to be picked up.
When she is laying on DD she goes completely flat, and if DD stands up after a short time then Ruby chatters angrily until DD sits back down.
DD does most of her homework with Ruby either on her lap or on a cushion next to her sprawled out along her leg.
Our other pigs are quite cuddly (except Oreo) but nothing compares to the relationship that DD and Ruby seem to share.
So I guess I am asking if it is possible for a pig to pine for a human and if this could explain Ruby's sudden weight loss?
Ruby is now back on daily weight checks, and is steadily gaining again.
Can guinea pigs pine for a human?
We have recently been away on holiday.
We were gone for 13 days, and our regular pet sitter came every day (twice a day when the temperatures were above 28 degrees) to feed, water and clean the piggies (and rabbits and birds).
We have used her many times, I trust her implicitly, and she is very thorough.
We get regular updates (photos and videos).
Over that time 3 of our piggies weights remained stable (ok, technically Eddi gained 15 grams, but I suspect the pet sitter is a bit liberal with the blueberries and has a soft spot for Eddi's endless begging
). But both Oreo's and Lucy's weight changed by less than 5 grams.And Ruby lost 96 grams
Since we arrived home she has been under close watch, and is eating, drinking, pooing and behaving totally normally. I know she was fine while we were away as I have 2 videos of her pottering around, eating, and being generally Ruby-ish.
Her coat is shiny, eyes bright, etc. and seems to be her usual feisty self.
There is clearly nothing wrong with her which would point to a dramatic weight loss.
But she and my DD share an incredibly close bond.
On a daily basis Ruby would be held by DD for 45 mins + and handled at least 2 - 3 times (but only by DD - she bites everyone else).
Whenever DD goes to the cage Ruby runs to the edge and stands there waiting to be picked up.
When she is laying on DD she goes completely flat, and if DD stands up after a short time then Ruby chatters angrily until DD sits back down.
DD does most of her homework with Ruby either on her lap or on a cushion next to her sprawled out along her leg.
Our other pigs are quite cuddly (except Oreo) but nothing compares to the relationship that DD and Ruby seem to share.
So I guess I am asking if it is possible for a pig to pine for a human and if this could explain Ruby's sudden weight loss?
Ruby is now back on daily weight checks, and is steadily gaining again.
