First night together!

JEFF&JOJO

JEFF&JOJO

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi there, I’m new here and just looking for a bit of advice. We have just adopted a new Guinea pig today from a rescue. He is a 1.5 year old male and had always lived alone. We needed a new companion for our 10 month old male as he lost his friend recently. The bonding has gone pretty well and they have been together in the cage a lot of the day and all evening. I’m just wondering should I separate them overnight and tomorrow while we are at work? Is it too soon for them to say together unsupervised?

Also the new piggie who is very friendly and laid back hasn’t been so friendly towards us and has snapped a few times at the kids and tried to bite them so I’m a bit worried.

Any advice welcome, thanks so much in advance. I have been so stressed today keeping an eye on these two and feel bad separating them in the cage as they wouldn’t have much room. I just want to do the right thing. Worried sick! Thanks
 
No don't separate them as you will have to bond them all over again. New piggy is still frightened and getting used to his new surroundings and smells and will take a while to feel settled. Leave him be for the time being to get acclimatised. Put yourself where he is.
He has been uprooted from the (probably) the only place he has known, plonked in a rescue and just when he was getting used to that he has found a friend and then he has been taken somewhere else with frightening noises, new smells and a totally new environment. Poor thing doesn't know if he's coming or going. You know you aren't going to hurt him, but he doesn't know that. You have to teach him that fact. No wonder he is a bit snappy with you. Piggies are prey animals and take time to learn to trust huge humans whose hands are almost the same size as their bodies.
 
JEFF&JOJO said:
Hi there, I’m new here and just looking for a bit of advice. We have just adopted a new Guinea pig today from a rescue. He is a 1.5 year old male and had always lived alone. We needed a new companion for our 10 month old male as he lost his friend recently. The bonding has gone pretty well and they have been together in the cage a lot of the day and all evening. I’m just wondering should I separate them overnight and tomorrow while we are at work? Is it too soon for them to say together unsupervised?

Also the new piggie who is very friendly and laid back hasn’t been so friendly towards us and has snapped a few times at the kids and tried to bite them so I’m a bit worried.

Any advice welcome, thanks so much in advance. I have been so stressed today keeping an eye on these two and feel bad separating them in the cage as they wouldn’t have much room. I just want to do the right thing. Worried sick! Thanks
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Hi and welcome

Please never split bonding boars. They have to start right back in square one again if you do that. You can move them to their neutralised quarters if you have got another hour for observation and have removed any hideys with only one exit. Otherwise you can leave them together in the bonding area overnight if you are too worried. If necessary peg a sheet or blanket over the bonding area to give them a feeling of protection and leave them with plenty of hay and access to water.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Here are our tips on how you settled skittish piggies and make friends with them in a way that they instinctively understand. But please give the newbie time to settle with his new mate first and find his feet. He will come round more quickly if you allow him to settle in and gradually build up trust first. With a happy boar bond in place, he is going to take his cues much more from his new friend.
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

You'll find more helpful information via our new owners guide collection (of which these guides are part of): Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

All the best!
 
Once they have been put together they need to stay together. Only separate them if they have a fight and blood is drawn.
You can’t put piggies together and then separate them and then reintroduce them - it causes them stress and they will start the process all over again.
 
Betsy said:
No don't separate them as you will have to bond them all over again. New piggy is still frightened and getting used to his new surroundings and smells and will take a while to feel settled. Leave him be for the time being to get acclimatised. Put yourself where he is.
He has been uprooted from the (probably) the only place he has known, plonked in a rescue and just when he was getting used to that he has found a friend and then he has been taken somewhere else with frightening noises, new smells and a totally new environment. Poor thing doesn't know if he's coming or going. You know you aren't going to hurt him, but he doesn't know that. You have to teach him that fact. No wonder he is a bit snappy with you. Piggies are prey animals and take time to learn to trust huge humans whose hands are almost the same size as their bodies.
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And on top of this its firework week
 
Piggies&buns said:
Once they have been put together they need to stay together. Only separate them if they have a fight and blood is drawn.
You can’t put piggies together and then separate them and then reintroduce them - it causes them stress and they will start the process all over again.
Click to expand...
Okay that’s very helpful thank you! I was just worried they may fight during the night and I wouldn’t know. Sorry I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing and because it’s their first day together I wasn’t sure. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply! I probably still won’t sleep well tonight...
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

Please never split bonding boars. They have to start right back in square one again if you do that. You can move them to their neutralised quarters if you have got another hour for observation and have removed any hideys with only one exit. Otherwise you can leave them together in the bonding area overnight if you are too worried. If necessary peg a sheet or blanket over the bonding area to give them a feeling of protection and leave them with plenty of hay and access to water.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Here are our tips on how you settled skittish piggies and make friends with them in a way that they instinctively understand. But please give the newbie time to settle with his new mate first and find his feet. He will come round more quickly if you allow him to settle in and gradually build up trust first. With a happy boar bond in place, he is going to take his cues much more from his new friend.

What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

You'll find more helpful information via our new owners guide collection (of which these guides are part of): Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

All the best!
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Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. All the advice has been so helpful. I’m sorry, it’s just that I’ve read so much conflicting information and I wasn’t sure if it was too soon to leave them together. I was just worried something might happen when I wasn’t there. I’m just a bit stressed about keeping them safe and am new at this. Thanks so much!
 
Betsy said:
No don't separate them as you will have to bond them all over again. New piggy is still frightened and getting used to his new surroundings and smells and will take a while to feel settled. Leave him be for the time being to get acclimatised. Put yourself where he is.
He has been uprooted from the (probably) the only place he has known, plonked in a rescue and just when he was getting used to that he has found a friend and then he has been taken somewhere else with frightening noises, new smells and a totally new environment. Poor thing doesn't know if he's coming or going. You know you aren't going to hurt him, but he doesn't know that. You have to teach him that fact. No wonder he is a bit snappy with you. Piggies are prey animals and take time to learn to trust huge humans whose hands are almost the same size as their bodies.
Click to expand...
Okay thanks so much! All the replies have helped put my mind at ease! I’m just worrying too much I think and wasn’t sure what to do! I just want to do what’s best for the piggies and help the new guy settle in as best as possible. Thank you!
 
Bill & Ted said:
We have all been there with new piggies, yes you won’t sleep properly tonight but that means you really care about them and their welfare. Good luck with the bonding x
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Thank you so much! I cannot relax! I just went in and popped another open ended hidey and topped up the hay and now there is a lot of teeth chattering after them seeming so settled up until now! I’m scared to leave them. Oh no! :(
 
I feel really sorry for my first little piggie too as he can’t even have his beloved cosy to sleep in tonight :(
 
JEFF&JOJO said:
Thank you so much! I cannot relax! I just went in and popped another open ended hidey and topped up the hay and now there is a lot of teeth chattering after them seeming so settled up until now! I’m scared to leave them. Oh no! :(
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I will be going through the same thing in 4 weeks time. I'm going to try bond my boar with my sow. Hope all goes well four yours 👍😁 This thread is handy for me to read up on
 
Skypipdot said:
I will be going through the same thing in 4 weeks time. I'm going to try bond my boar with my sow. Hope all goes well four yours 👍😁 This thread is handy for me to read up on
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Oh thank you! Hope you aren’t as much of a nervous wreck as me! I look forward to following how yours do! Long night ahead for me I think though they have both settled down and are sleeping 💤
 
JEFF&JOJO said:
Thank you so much! I cannot relax! I just went in and popped another open ended hidey and topped up the hay and now there is a lot of teeth chattering after them seeming so settled up until now! I’m scared to leave them. Oh no! :(
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There is going to be chasing, mounting etc until they establish their relationship, don’t intervene unless there is a fight. Plenty of space (cage size wise) for boys is essential, multiple open ended hideys, multiple food bowls and bottles etc.
 
The teeth chattering could be because you put a new hidey in and there might have been a little tension over who it belongs to :)) piggies do like to claim things especially if dominance isn't fully sorted out. Everytime I put something new in with my group they all know it belongs to Daisy first and foremost and I'm glad I have a clear top pig
 
Piggies&buns said:
There is going to be chasing, mounting etc until they establish their relationship, don’t intervene unless there is a fight. Plenty of space (cage size wise) for boys is essential, multiple open ended hideys, multiple food bowls and bottles etc.
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Okay thank you so much. Last night went well, I even slept on the sofa to keep an eye on them! They are on their own today while I’m at work so fingers crossed!
 
Lady Kelly said:
The teeth chattering could be because you put a new hidey in and there might have been a little tension over who it belongs to :)) piggies do like to claim things especially if dominance isn't fully sorted out. Everytime I put something new in with my group they all know it belongs to Daisy first and foremost and I'm glad I have a clear top pig
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Yes I think it was because it soon settled down and they seemed happy in their hideys. I slept on the sofa last night to be near them as I couldn’t relax in bed. All went really well, they were quiet most of the night, all I heard was a little squeaking and a little munching! They are on their own today so fingers crossed! Such a stressful experience! Thanks for taking the time to reply. Everyone has been so helpful :)
 
Hope they are settled for when you get home today x it’s very stressful and I bet you have been worrying at work all day, I’d be just the same.

Keep us all posted
 
Bill & Ted said:
Hope they are settled for when you get home today x it’s very stressful and I bet you have been worrying at work all day, I’d be just the same.

Keep us all posted
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Thank you so much! Glad last night went well but still feeling on edge! Can’t wait to get home and see them safe and sound! Will keep you posted x
 
Little update everyone!

All going well, both seem to be pretty happy and content so far... Does anyone know how long it takes for them to bond properly? And can I only use open ended hideys for good now? Also should I keep handling to a minimum with the new piggie for a while until he settles. He loves a chin rub but then snaps at your finger. Never had any issues with my piggies biting before. Thank you everyone, really appreciate all your help so far :)
 
Bonding properly can take quite a while - a couple of weeks.
I only use open ended hideys when they are in their hutch but out in their playpen they have other hideys as the have more space to get away from each other.
I kept handling to a minimum when my boys were new but each pig is different and some will get used to handling quicker. Offering food from your hand is always a good place place to start
 
Piggies&buns said:
Bonding properly can take quite a while - a couple of weeks.
I only use open ended hideys when they are in their hutch but out in their playpen they have other hideys as the have more space to get away from each other.
I kept handling to a minimum when my boys were new but each pig is different and some will get used to handling quicker. Offering food from your hand is always a good place place to start
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Okay that’s great thank you! All this advice has been really helpful. Things are going well so far and I’m really pleased, hopefully will continue that way :)
 
You could buy a mini cctv to link a smartphone to if you have the money and a smartphone. Only problem is that if your far away somewhere, theres not much you can do
 
I found one called smart dog. For £20 online. It connects to your home wifi. Then you connect to wifi wherever you are on your phone or it might even work on mobile date. Not sure
 
Skypipdot said:
You could buy a mini cctv to link a smartphone to if you have the money and a smartphone. Only problem is that if your far away somewhere, theres not much you can do
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We actually have those in our house already but don’t have a great view with the angle. But I was also thinking the same thing that if I saw something there’s not much I could do. Nice for peace of mind though to check in and see them happily munching away :)
 
Skypipdot said:
I found one called smart dog. For £20 online. It connects to your home wifi. Then you connect to wifi wherever you are on your phone or it might even work on mobile date. Not sure
Click to expand...
Oh I will have a look at that! Thank you so much! 😊
 
JEFF&JOJO said:
We actually have those in our house already but don’t have a great view with the angle. But I was also thinking the same thing that if I saw something there’s not much I could do. Nice for peace of mind though to check in and see them happily munching away :)
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Yea its actually a good way to use modern technology. I might ask for one for christmas for myself. I have decided to bond my 2 pigs after xmas because i take them with me when we stay at the mother in laws over xmas and dont want to bond them then put them in a new environment. Guess which one is the sow? View attachment 99889
 
Skypipdot said:
Yea its actually a good way to use modern technology. I might ask for one for christmas for myself.
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Yes the ones we have in already are fab and you can check in with your phone any time! Well worth it 😊
 
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