Guinea pig hoarding items

[BertandBella]

Our guinea pig drags everything into his hidey. And I mean everything and the latest thing is a wooden toy that you can stuff full of food and hay. I mean do they realise that they can’t move if they block the entrance by doing this?

He is a lone piggie as he never bonded with any of his fellow piggies, he is quite happy being on his own and comes over to us when we approach him.

 

[Bill & Ted]

It may be a form of company for him? Does he have a neighbouring piggie who he can talk to between the bars. Side by side neighbours is a good way of piggies living alone but with interaction from their own species

 

[Bill & Ted]

I have just read your other post. I am sorry you lost Bella, sending hugs. Bertie may be displaying a form of bereavement if he is dragging everything into his house. I would weigh him daily and make sure his weight is stable, if he is losing weight then he is clearly very sad. Hopefully he should come around and get on with life again. I would consider finding him a new friend through boar dating at a rescue. Most good rescues will boar date a bereaved boar for you. Have a look on our UK list. There is a great rescue in Doncaster, drop them an email, stating you have a bereaved boar, I’m sure they will be happy to help Bertie find a new friend

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[Lorcan]

I mean do they realise that they can’t move if they block the entrance by doing this?

From experience, they only realise when there's a hurry to leave, like when fresh food's on the go. Suddenly I'll get a bunch of panicked yells because they think they're missing out on yummy food but also, there's a haycube in the doorway. They can get themselves back out again, it will take time.

But I agree with @Bill & Ted, Cavy Corner in Doncaster would be a great place to try and find him a companion, even if it's just a companion through the bars.

 

[Bluebell]

I had a chuckle at this - I've got several who do this with smaller items such as food dishes, but I've also got a couple who consistently try and put the big tunnels into their cardboard box beds. One of my oldest pair I think is actually trying to make the tunnel into a porch and as soon as I move it back he will actually get under it and walk around with it on his back until he gets it to the entrance where he then dumps it. He has done this for most of his nine years so I think he just likes doing it!