Help!

[new_owner]

I just got a guinea pig on Tuesday. He's a baby, but I'm kind of worried about him. It doesn't seem like he's eating or drinking enough. He barely touches the pellets I give him and I never see him drink water. I gave him an orange slice once and he loved it, but now he won't eat that either. He eats the hay I give him and he nibbled on a carrot this morning, but I'm worried. Oh, and he also spends most of his time in his igloo. He doesn't show any other physical symptoms of illness (like watery eyes), but idk. Any ideas/suggestions?

 

[PiggiePooh]

Is he on his own? Guinea pigs should be kept in pairs or groups. Could you get him a friend to keep him company?

 

[minimowers]

Hi new owner, how old is the baby? He may be feeling very lonely and frightened in his new environment and will take some time to settle in.

Where did you get him from? Are you able to find out what food he was used to eating? He may not have had pellets before so that could be why hes not eating them, why not try a different food mix? Its good that he's eating hay and carrots, keep trying him with different fruit and veg and you'll soon find his favourites. If he's young and on his own why not think about getting him a friend. Another boar the same age should bond with him and you may find his outlook on life changes when he has someone to share it with.

Dont worry - there are plenty of people here to help you!

 

[gracie]

we should get a sticky for new owners =\ people don't seem to trying to find a post relevant to their issue before starting their own.

leave him to get used to his new home, he's probably scared and needs time to settle. it might take him a while but leave him plenty of food and give him some peace and quiet for a couple of days. this is totally normal behaviour for a new guinea pig.

 

[Claire W]

Hello and welcome As others have said really. He just needs time to settle in. He will be scared and getting use to his new surroundings. Is it possible for you to get him a friend? He will be more at ease if he has another piggy to share his life with x

 

[Farquhar]

Welcome to the forum. All of my piggies took weeks to settle when I first got them. I was also worried that I never saw them drinking however their water bottle was going down so I knew they must have been drinking. Try tempting your piggy with some fresh grass. I'm sure he will settle down.

 

[alcesterpigs]

Greetings.
How old is the new pig?
Sometimes they are taken away from the mother too soon and sold as an only pig.
I have been given pigs like that in the past and have found the only way to get them to eat is to put them with an older pig. This teaches them social skills, competition for food and gives them the companionship which is vital for their welfare and contentment.