Hi there - we are all asleep in the UK (I have insomnia!) but people should start coming online in the next 2 or 3 hours so if you want to post pictures of any worry areas keep them in this thread so everything is together
First thing is check he is definitely a boy. There are lots of Guinea Pig Guides linked at the top of this page which are great for new owners!
Next, yes he will hide a lot for a while, this is quite normal. They are prey animals and every decision he is making he thinks is life-or-death! If that other pig was picking on him he is probably happier without him, but he will always be happier with others of his kind. Remember that story 'Jungle Book' where Mowgli is raised by wolves in the jungle? Well a lot of folks like dogs, but if you give them the option they would much rather live with people than never see another of their own kind. Piggies would always rather live with, or even next door to, other piggies... they can love us too, but we don't understand what they are saying when they 'talk'. In the US it seems to be common to buy just one. Here in the UK the 'normal' is that they are sold/rescued as pairs, and in some countries like Switzerland it is actually illegal to keep one alone! So our experts will of course talk about finding him a friend at some point. It also shows a whole new side to their personality as they run and play and chat together! Over here is currently a lock-down because of covid but when that finishes our animal rescue centres open up again and they provide a service called 'guinea-pig dating' where you can take your pig along and they will try to find a match for them. Perhaps you can locate some rescue centres in your area and ask if this is available. Don't be tempted to get a 'girlfriend' for your boy - you'll end up with dozens as they breed really quick, and there are often medical emergencies/losses along the way. We don't 'breed' on this forum ☺
Next thing is you will end up seeing a vet sooner or later. Piggies have an average lifespan of about 5 years but some can live a few years longer! Yes a vet trip can be expensive so at this point it might be worth finding a few local vet practices and calling to see the cost of a consultation. Some might not treat guinea-pigs at all... some might be 'exotic experts' (these will probably be more expensive!) but what you want is a practice you can trust and you feel comfortable with. Here are a few links
Guinea Lynx :: Finding a Veterinarian and
Veterinarians: Maryland - Guinea Lynx Records which I hope might be useful. We are a UK based site but guinealynx is really useful too and there are international recommendations. We have to save up so we can afford the vet when we need one because if piggies get poorly they hide it pretty well so by the time we notice it can be pretty urgent and sometimes all it needs is a week of antibiotics and painkiller to make him comfortable and save his life (yes - there is a painkiller for guinea pigs who are feeling uncomfortable!) Some vets are near an animal rescue so they can see more than their fair share of piggies and get a lot of experience, but it all depends on where you are and we just have to try our best.
Next, we recommend weighing him weekly (a kitchen scale is fine... do it on the floor in case he jumps out) as it is a real good way to spot any problems early on. Guinea pig diet should be mainly hay (80%!) which means they chew a LOT and this keeps their teeth in good condition (their teeth grow throughout their lives). If he's shy put hay in his hidey and you should hear him munching! If they just live on pellets and veg it will upset the tummy so it's hay, hay, all the way! They
love grass but if he's not had it before start with a little at a time. They need vitamin C like people do but we don't recommend any supplements for healthy piggies - there is plenty in the grass and hay, and also in things like bell pepper (any colour) which they usually love. I give a slice per pig every day. His weight might go up and down a bit. An adult male might reach 1.2 kilo - my George is a bit fatter - so with an adult you get concerned if there is any weight loss 50g or more (unless he puts it back on the next week!) Make sure he has access to good fresh water all the time - some barely drink but if you get a guzzler it's great as they are much less likely to get urinary problems later in life. Some pigs are too shy to come out when they are thirsty - put his drink bottle/bowl right near the hidey for now so he just has to poke his head out! You will become very familiar with pig poop because there's a
lot of it - they poop all the time. It is another good way to monitor his health. If he poops less, or it is smaller, it can be because he has been too shy to come out and eat so just move the food closer to him. Some people cover the whole cage for the first week or so - I didn't , but I cover mine at night time because they will walk around and eat at night too. You can put in another hidey - a cardboard box is fine (George has one - he also eats a bit of it) and he will run between the two!
If he is nibbing and licking at your hand he likes you and is getting to know you. Also bear in mind that because of their big noses and where their eyes are they can't see where their mouth is so they are always nibbing around, hoping for something tasty!
Right - the health bit. We are not vets and so we can't diagnose but if we see a photo we can tell you whether something looks normal or not! So if you want to post a few pics that's fine. First though, they
all have a bald spot behind the ears - that is completely normal! It is also useful as if your piggy ever ends up having lice (which can be seen, like headlice on kids) or mites (too small to see) there is a very effective spot-on medication that you apply to the skin and I use the bald bit behind the ears! If he is scratching and shedding a lot then you might have to consider mites/lice, especially if he starts getting significant hair loss and bald spots (and especially around his rump). The 'tiny black dots' might be natural colour variation where the hairs would have been, or possible mite 'debris' (poop, basically) but you should see this in hair all over him - and esp at the back end. These critters are not a people-problem so you won't catch anything, but they can be transferred to/from other pigs so best to get it sorted before finding a friend or you'll be treating both! You'll need to see a vet to get the meds if it is this the case. 6-8 hairs is normal shedding... 30+ at a stroke I'd be more concerned although other things can cause this... when we turn our heating on in winter everyone sheds a bit more! If you can possibly afford it and you can find a vet we would always recommend a vet check for any new piggy, especially if they are going to be added to ones you already have - but I realise this is not possible for everyone.
Tell us how old you think he is - less than a year? Less than 6 months? Some pigs do change colour as they get older. Take a pic of his paws as he is standing (if you can!) here is a pic of 2 of mine. See how the one on the left has a black toe and claw? Perfectly healthy - just her really creepy colouring!
Sometimes pigs can get 'bumblefoot' but you'll easily recognise this because it is an open sore on the sole of the foot (normal soles can look very weird and lumpy but no open sores or blood, obviously!) It can be treated but is best avoided. But don't confuse yourself too much over these things unless you think they are a problem. You might just have a very wonderful and perfectly healthy guinea-pig and I can tell you already love him very much
