Found Guinea Pig

[aethe]

Ok, I found a Guinea Pig in my apartment yard. I homemade poster of it, incase people lost it. However, after weeks, I assume they abandomed that little critter intentionally. This is sad, because judging form its size, it's probably an infant (i wouldn't know, first time raising one). My mom and older sis is scared of it, so i can't buy a new for the guinea pig to be friends with. However, it seems to become really close friend with my dog, which is strange.

What's weird is, after all this time (months), the Guinea Pig is still afraid of me. Sure it sometimes walk towards me, but when I try to touch it, it let me, but when I try to hold it, it runs away. Why is it like that? I never did anything like cruel to it, in fact, I sorta rescued it.

Should I bath it? I heard from somewhere I should, but in the same time people say don't... I also want to know, do Guinea Pig carry disease?

 

[megface]

Guinea pigs are prey animals, so they will mostly always be scared.
I've almost had my boys a year and they hate being picked up!n
It's not anything you've done, it's just their natural instinct!

Yes you can bath the guinea pig, I'm sure there is someone who can help more with this.
Where are you located? Maybe take the piggy to the vets to get it a check up?

 

[Chappers]

Ok, I found a Guinea Pig in my apartment yard. I homemade poster of it, incase people lost it. However, after weeks, I assume they abandomed that little critter intentionally. This is sad, because judging form its size, it's probably an infant (i wouldn't know, first time raising one). My mom and older sis is scared of it, so i can't buy a new for the guinea pig to be friends with. However, it seems to become really close friend with my dog, which is strange.

What's weird is, after all this time (months), the Guinea Pig is still afraid of me. Sure it sometimes walk towards me, but when I try to touch it, it let me, but when I try to hold it, it runs away. Why is it like that? I never did anything like cruel to it, in fact, I sorta rescued it.

Should I bath it? I heard from somewhere I should, but in the same time people say don't... I also want to know, do Guinea Pig carry disease?

Mine run away from me all the time, they are prey animals and to be honest are scared of their own shadows.

I was scared of them when we got them at Christmas, so start of with them stroking them and then who knows where it will lead. I was scared and now have five with three more coming soon.

Think you should bath every three months, we did snuggles once and was a right laugh.

 

[aethe]

I live in Australia, and I found it in my apartment's yard. The area is usually locked, only people living in the apartment have the key to access the yard. So I assume it was bought by people from the pet store, and they just abandomed it. Do they usually carry disease?

 

[Julesie]

Guinea pigs are very sweet animals. Rarely do they bite or hurt anyone. Occasionally if they do nibble its to tell you something such as that they need a wee.

For someone who is scared of them, I'd recommend having them just hand feed the piggy through the cage bars. It'll show you they won't hurt you. They just want food.

I'm scared of most animals and won't go near dogs even if bribed a million pounds but after being scared to touch my piggies from fear of being bitten I now hold them, stroke them, feed them from my hand, cut their nails, bath them and many things. They are probably one of the easier pets to have when it comes to being nervous.

They are prey animals and it takes a while for them to trust you. I have two piggies who completely trust me, one runs up to greet me daily, standing up for me yet he still flees if I try to pick him up and I have to wait for him to run into his pigloo to lift him so he doesn't freak out. It's in their nature. You could try and use a soft cloth and wait for him/her to climb into it then lift him out and hold him to your chest as you sit on the sofa. The cloth will make them feel safe and learn to trust you.

 

[Lilly]

I live in Australia, and I found it in my apartment's yard. The area is usually locked, only people living in the apartment have the key to access the yard. So I assume it was bought by people from the pet store, and they just abandomed it. Do they usually carry disease?

Guinea pigs do not carry diseases that can be picked up by humans. And they can't catch diseases from us. One of my boys has been with me for almost 2 years now and the other for almost a year. They still hate to be picked up but once I have them they are fine and love lap cuddles. It is normal for them to run away from us giants.

 

[Hanwombat]

Can I ask what you're feeding the guinea pig? I would direct you to our list of appropriate foods but I'm on my mobile so would be fab if another member would

Guinea pigs are lovely pets. If he's still quite nervous, keep calm round him and speak quietly. Cuddle him daily to gain his trust and discover what he enjoys eating and see if you can encourage him to eat from your hand.

Where are you keeping him? A single guinea pig needs accommodation that is atleast 100cm in length, plus they love hiding! So plenty of housing is a must!

Their diet is mainly fibre-based so unlimited hay is 100% essential.

 

[Hanwombat]

Here is a helpful link with regards to their diet

http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

I found it helpful to swaddle my pigs like a baby when we first got them. It makes them feel secure and prevents them from taking flying leaps out of your arms (they have very poor depth perception ). Make sure you give him vitamin C and plenty of hay. And if you can talk your mum into it, he would be much happier and secure with a same sex companion. Many rescues offer dating services where they can pick out there own friend. Hth

 

[Glynis]

I live in Australia, and I found it in my apartment's yard. The area is usually locked, only people living in the apartment have the key to access the yard. So I assume it was bought by people from the pet store, and they just abandomed it. Do they usually carry disease?

Gidday and welcome to you and your piggie to the forum
yup from another aussie
Please look at the top of each section on here for some fab advice on foods, behaviour and bedding
It does sound like he was abandoned :0 how cruel! I'm so glad you've taken him in
The more you chat to him and offer little treats (NOT iceberg lettuce tho) he'll get more and more used to you
I'm in Victoria, whereabouts are you ? there's a few of us aussies on here, QLD, NSW, SA and VIC

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x

 

[deakierivers]

diseases

Guinea pigs do not carry diseases that can be picked up by humans. And they can't catch diseases from us. One of my boys has been with me for almost 2 years now and the other for almost a year. They still hate to be picked up but once I have them they are fine and love lap cuddles. It is normal for them to run away from us giants.

only one i can think of at mo but its not really serious ringworm, bathing try a shampoo with neem in it or soap you can buy this of ebay ,,,,

do you kno i would say this guinea pig is men,t to be with you stick in there he will become ** best friend and find a way to get into ** heart good luck