Hi there, as I was playing with my guinea pigs today, I noticed Jack was not being his usual, curious but cautious self. He just runs away and jumps, almost like popcorning when there is a noise, any noise, and is desperate not to get caught. I have no other pets right now, so an animal cannot have frightened them. I also noticed Jack is gaining weight, and I'm certain he is a boy. Any answer would help! Thanks so much!
Do I Have A Really Scared Guinea Pig?
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Junior Guinea Pig
Is he usually NOT skittish, and now suddenly he is?
I know my two youngsters are incredibly skittish. Han flees from me if I make even the slightest movement toward him. Even just bending over near the cage to grab the bag of hay makes him jump and RUN to go hide.
I know my two youngsters are incredibly skittish. Han flees from me if I make even the slightest movement toward him. Even just bending over near the cage to grab the bag of hay makes him jump and RUN to go hide.
He always was, but he is alot more skittish now. When ever I go in the room he stops what he's doing and hides etc. Its like he's been scared by something really big or scary too him or something
How long have you had him and does he have a companion?
Guinea pigs on their own can often be a lot more nervous than if they have a friend.
Does he have lots of places to hide in his cage?
I found that when Oreo joined us she was super skittish to begin with, so we covered a large section of the cage with a fleece blanket to make it all a bit more cave like. Then we would stop frequently by the cage and feed the otehr 3 irresistible bits of fresh veg, and it didn't take Oreo long to work out that bravery would always be rewarded.
Guinea pigs on their own can often be a lot more nervous than if they have a friend.
Does he have lots of places to hide in his cage?
I found that when Oreo joined us she was super skittish to begin with, so we covered a large section of the cage with a fleece blanket to make it all a bit more cave like. Then we would stop frequently by the cage and feed the otehr 3 irresistible bits of fresh veg, and it didn't take Oreo long to work out that bravery would always be rewarded.
Something can have upset him. Please be aware that guinea pigs have finer senses. It also takes a while to settle down again when their prey animal instincts a woken up. I have a day or two of mass stampedes in my piggy room whenever one of them has spooked at something (even a sudden gesture from me or simply me getting up from my computer chair) and then they take umbrage at every sudden unexpected noise or movement...
Don't worry, he be likely back to normal by tomorrow. Just don't push him too hard today and let him come to you instead of you going after him.
Is Jack still single? I guess that you can now start looking for a companion for him?
Jack hopefully will be back to normal tomorrow. Jack actually came with his brother Joe, and they seem to get along fine!
He does, we have had him almost 4 weeks now, and his brother Joe seems more settled down then he does.
You always get piggies that are naturally more skittish than others, even in the same litter. I have triplets where one sister is pretty laid-back and one is extremely uptight and very quickly upset. The third is somewhere in the middle.
Ok. What do you think about him gaining weight?
Can you please be more specific - how old is Jack, how long have you had him, how much is he weighing, how much has gained in which period etc.?
If you are worried about the gender, please check the inside of his slit. In a boy, it just goes down, whereas in sows there is a kind of x-shaped arrangment with side flaps that is closed when a sow is not season.
Alternatively, please post a preferably clear and well lit picture of his genitalia in our pregnancy and sexing section.
Sexing Guinea Pigs: How to Sex a Guinea Pig
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