Guinea Pig hurt himself and is now scared of me?

[J.D]

I got a guinea pig for an early Christmas present in 2020 and its been going good for a while! Today though, something happened. He was chewing on his cage (that he does quite often, but I have him set on a certain feeding schedule and don't have any chewing sticks for him at the moment, so I thought it was okay to let him do it) and suddenly he squeaked really loudly and pulled away from the cage really quickly. I got up to check on him because he hurt himself and all he did was lightly squeak, make short loud scoffing sounds every now and then, and chew his teeth. I pet him and comforted him and he seemed fine, so I doubled checked to make sure he was ok and sat back down. Adter watching him for a bit, he sat in the back of his cage and didnt move so I decided to feed him early and try to comfort him some more, but he jumped up violently and hit the top of his cage and wouldnt stop? After a while I just sat on the edge of my bed and watched him and everytime I moved he'd jump so I decided to just feed him and leave him be? The taking the bowl out of his cage and trying to replace it was hard because he kept jumping and hitting the cage. After I finally got done with that I sat down and started watching him again but more to the middle of my bed to see if he would relax? And now hes just sitting in the corner of his cage nit doing anything. I'm a young teenager so I dont really kniw what to do and I come from a poor family so I dont know if I can take him to the vet or not. Please help, hes just sitting in his cage and not moving.

 

[Wiebke]

I got a guinea pig for an early Christmas present in 2020 and its been going good for a while! Today though, something happened. He was chewing on his cage (that he does quite often, but I have him set on a certain feeding schedule and don't have any chewing sticks for him at the moment, so I thought it was okay to let him do it) and suddenly he squeaked really loudly and pulled away from the cage really quickly. I got up to check on him because he hurt himself and all he did was lightly squeak, make short loud scoffing sounds every now and then, and chew his teeth. I pet him and comforted him and he seemed fine, so I doubled checked to make sure he was ok and sat back down. Adter watching him for a bit, he sat in the back of his cage and didnt move so I decided to feed him early and try to comfort him some more, but he jumped up violently and hit the top of his cage and wouldnt stop? After a while I just sat on the edge of my bed and watched him and everytime I moved he'd jump so I decided to just feed him and leave him be? The taking the bowl out of his cage and trying to replace it was hard because he kept jumping and hitting the cage. After I finally got done with that I sat down and started watching him again but more to the middle of my bed to see if he would relax? And now hes just sitting in the corner of his cage nit doing anything. I'm a young teenager so I dont really kniw what to do and I come from a poor family so I dont know if I can take him to the vet or not. Please help, hes just sitting in his cage and not moving.

Hi and welcome

Are you sure that your boy is not popcorning for fun? 'Popcorning' and 'zooming' - joy and exuberance (videos)

If your boy is in a real fright, then please use our piggy whispering tips to reassure him and make friends again: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Please be aware that guinea pigs are group animals and that they should not be kept on their own because no human can fully speak their language and be with them all the time for the 5-7 years of a healthy average life span. Some of the behaviour you are mentioning sis typical attention seeking behaviour because he needs more stimulation.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?

Your boy is currently in the age whether he relies heavily on the guidance from an 'uncle boar' to learn the finer points of how to be a boar and how to master his environment. He will soon turn into a teenager.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[J.D]

Hes calmed down a bit and I can pet him now. He still wont eat or drink tho but I'm happy hes calm. My sister got herself another guinea pig, but shes only a few months old while mine is at least a year old. But, we do put them together often with supervision from both of us so nothing happens.
No, I dont think its Popcorning. My sister's guinea Popcorns often all day everyday because she can, while Ive only ever seen mine Popcorn when I was giving him food or treats or something like that. This is different though. Hes skittish and scared and runs away when I try to offer him food or water. It is kinda like Popcorning, exept is violenter and hes panicky when he does it.
I got to pet him a bit, but he eventually bit and started to run across he cage and hide in the other corner away from me. I believe he's okay now, just upset and skittish.

 

[J.D]

@Wiekbe I'm looking more into it and trying to calm him down and get him to like me again. Hes moving now so I supposenthats good.

 

[Siikibam]

Please don’t put your boy with your sister’s guinea pig again. It takes a mere few seconds for the mating and pregnancy. You should have them live next to each other but be sure that your boy can’t escape and get in with the girl. And vice versa.

Perhaps consider getting him neutered and he can live with the sow after six weeks. They need companionship so should at least be living next to each other.

 

[J.D]

Please don’t put your boy with your sister’s guinea pig again. It takes a mere few seconds for the mating and pregnancy. You should have them live next to each other but be sure that your boy can’t escape and get in with the girl. And vice versa.

Perhaps consider getting him neutered and he can live with the sow after six weeks. They need companionship so should at least be living next to each other.

Yeah, I know, but thats why we watch them and hold them so they cant get close enough to mate, but I will look into trying to neutered, thank you.

 

[Siikibam]

You need to stop that and just have them in (secure) cages next to each other. And they don’t do play dates either, which is essentially what you’re doing. It’s stressful for them.

Just to pick up on another thing you mentioned. Are you able to get support from somewhere for vet bills? It’s just that guinea pigs aren’t the cheap pets they’re made out to be. Especially when it comes to vet costs in the US.

 

[J.D]

You need to stop that and just have them in (secure) cages next to each other. And they don’t do play dates either, which is essentially what you’re doing. It’s stressful for them.

Just to pick up on another thing you mentioned. Are you able to get support from somewhere for vet bills? It’s just that guinea pigs aren’t the cheap pets they’re made out to be. Especially when it comes to vet costs in the US.

Okay, then I'll keep them separated the way you asked. And I have no idea about that kinda stuff.

 

[Siikibam]

One of their welfare rights is access to a vet if they fall ill. Guinea pigs are expensive pets. If they both became ill is there as money put somewhere that could be dipped into? Do you have a vet fund?