Don't think my older guinea pig is happy

[Kenny234]

Hey y'all! I want to start by say that physically, both my guinea pigs are completely healthy.

However, last year one of my original two guinea pigs passed away, leaving just Twix. I got another guinea pig later, bubbles and they don't bond super well so they are in separate cages next to each other. Twix doesn't really play by herself like she did with her old cage mate. Twix stays in the hideout most of the time. Both pigs are similar in age, both 5-6. I don't really know of anything I can do and I can't get another guinea pig either. Any suggestions? Things I can do to entertain her?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

As older piggies, I would not really be expecting much play anyway.
It’s about mental stimulation mostly. Do you have enrichment in her cage, things that make her think?
Piggies naturally spend hours foraging so recreating that really keeps them occupied.

Things like having loose piles of hay in her cage and not hainf haystacks or hay bags which remove the ability to get inside the hay. Scattering veg and pellets in amongst the hay and around the cage and bit using food bowls. Filling cardboard boxes with holes cut with hay or paper bags filed with hay.

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Kenny234]

Welcome to the forum

As older piggies, I would not really be expecting much play anyway.
It’s about mental stimulation mostly. Do you have enrichment in her cage, things that make her think?
Piggies naturally spend hours foraging so recreating that really keeps them occupied.

Things like having loose piles of hay in her cage and not hainf haystacks or hay bags which remove the ability to get inside the hay. Scattering veg and pellets in amongst the hay and around the cage and bit using food bowls. Filling cardboard boxes with holes cut with hay or paper bags filed with hay.

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Yeah I often put the hay loose in her cage and spread out the veggies so she can look for them. I give her wood balls and stuff with hay in them but she always just pulls them into the hideouts. She just doesn't go around anywhere unless she's getting something to bring back to her hide out. I'm not sure if this is normal, Bubbles is very active and will run around and she's pretty much the same age but maybe I'm comparing them to much and Twix is just different. The rest of Twixs cage is hardly use though because she stays in her hideout so much.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Does she have several different hideouts scattered around? If not, I'd try that so she can maybe run from one to the other from time to time.

Would she accept a hidey like a mini table? So, a roof on 4 legs rather than a cabin-type thing? That way, she'd be safe from 'birds of prey' from above (instinctual fear) but might get used to being in a more open space.

otoh maybe it's just something to accept that she simply prefers sitting in her 'safe space' where she can feel hidden away (I can't see you, you can't see me.)

 

[Kenny234]

Does she have several different hideouts scattered around? If not, I'd try that so she can maybe run from one to the other from time to time.

Would she accept a hidey like a mini table? So, a roof on 4 legs rather than a cabin-type thing? That way, she'd be safe from 'birds of prey' from above (instinctual fear) but might get used to being in a more open space.

otoh maybe it's just something to accept that she simply prefers sitting in her 'safe space' where she can feel hidden away (I can't see you, you can't see me.)

Yeah a mini table would be a good idea! Also sorry I haven't responded sooner I was super busy this last week. She has a fleece tunnel that she goes though and a fleece hut. Though thinking about it I can sew a corner hammock cover thing super easy so maybe I'll make a few of those.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

No worries about answering sooner or later. I'm in early retirement for health reasons and have lots of time for forum - not that there aren't TONS of other things I ought to be doing but reading around the forum and responding where I can is so much easier than cutting the grass or filing documents or...