Matasha
New Born Pup
I've had my guinea pig for a little over 5 years, since he was 2 months old. He is not usually scared of things, but just this week, out of the blue, he became petrified of being in his cage. He was very sniffy and spazzed out, running to the corner of the cage. He would not eat or drink, he was just frozen in fear. I took him out of the cage and into his play pen and once there he was pretty normal, eating and being social.
I've read a few posts about different things to do such as, cleaning out his cage- looks for insects or anything else - found nothing, giving him a bath, just leaving him alone keeping the same routine. Nothing has seem to work. When I did try and place him back in the cage he was sniffing again, looked at one side and ran frantically to the corner again. He tried to climb out and stayed in a corner for hours - no eating, drinking or even using the bathroom so I placed him back in the play pen. He is not as comfortable in there now and hides, but still eats, drinks and uses the bathroom.
When I take him out and place him in my lap, he is more relaxed and at ease, but not in the play pen as much or the cage still.
It's been 2 days about to go on 3 days with this behavior.
He used to have a cage-mate, who passed over a month ago. He had time to say his goodbye when it happened and he was been oddly very happy since the passing (they did not always get along.) Having and raising guinea pigs was definitely a positive experience, but I fear that if I do get another guinea pig, I will have a never ending cycle of them and the one I have now is the last one I plan to have for awhile. Along with the fact, that he never truly loved, but mostly only tolerated, his cage mate, I worry that if I were to get another one he would never get along with it, especially since he's old and a bit grumpy at times. Mostly happy though.
I am making a vet appointment for a general checkup as soon as possible and I plan on moving the cage a few feet over from where it is currently is in hopes that will help. I've read that it can take days or even a week for him to get out of his funk, but I feel bit hopeless at the moment. I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions?
I've read a few posts about different things to do such as, cleaning out his cage- looks for insects or anything else - found nothing, giving him a bath, just leaving him alone keeping the same routine. Nothing has seem to work. When I did try and place him back in the cage he was sniffing again, looked at one side and ran frantically to the corner again. He tried to climb out and stayed in a corner for hours - no eating, drinking or even using the bathroom so I placed him back in the play pen. He is not as comfortable in there now and hides, but still eats, drinks and uses the bathroom.
When I take him out and place him in my lap, he is more relaxed and at ease, but not in the play pen as much or the cage still.
It's been 2 days about to go on 3 days with this behavior.
He used to have a cage-mate, who passed over a month ago. He had time to say his goodbye when it happened and he was been oddly very happy since the passing (they did not always get along.) Having and raising guinea pigs was definitely a positive experience, but I fear that if I do get another guinea pig, I will have a never ending cycle of them and the one I have now is the last one I plan to have for awhile. Along with the fact, that he never truly loved, but mostly only tolerated, his cage mate, I worry that if I were to get another one he would never get along with it, especially since he's old and a bit grumpy at times. Mostly happy though.
I am making a vet appointment for a general checkup as soon as possible and I plan on moving the cage a few feet over from where it is currently is in hopes that will help. I've read that it can take days or even a week for him to get out of his funk, but I feel bit hopeless at the moment. I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions?
