I didn't know where to post this, but I had a specific question

piggyma

piggyma

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I apologize if I post this in the wrong section, but I have a question.
I have two male guinea pigs. I only planned to have the two. However, my aunt couldn't handle taking care of her guinea pig, so she asked if I could/would take it. Of course, I said yes, so that my aunt could still keep updates about the little piggy, bc she didn't WANT to get rid of it, she just can't handle it due to her health & hectic of life.

The guinea pig she's given me, is a female. Of course I know the girl will have to be housed separately from the males.
My question however, is should they be homed in separate rooms in the house, or would they be okay in the same room, with different cages?
 
They'll be OK in the same room, but try to get the new piggy a friend. It'll improve her quality of life so much! Best to adopt a new guinea pig from a reputable rescue, ideally with guinea pig dating facilities. Of course, a castrated male would be the ultimate companion for her but a female would be good too.
Well done for adopting the new pig and keeeping space free in an animal shelter for other animals!
 
Hi and welcome!

My advice is the same. Boars that grow up with sows in the same room are usually not all that fussed, but introducing a sow pheromones into a boars-only room can seriously upset them.

It would be great if you considered finding the little girl a companion of her own (another sow or neutered boar, ideally of her own choice) in the long term.
Here are tips on how what you can do for single piggies as well as the challenges they can pose: Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
 
I've had this female guinea pig close to a week now. Not GREAT progress. I will admit, I've been hectic busy moving, and having visitors that include noisy children. I'm afraid the children are making it more difficult for the guinea pig to become comfortable with me, or in her new home/environment. I didn't expect her to bond easily tho, since she belonged to someone else first, and that she's been with one owner for about 3-4 months, tho they didn't provide her with the best of attention.
 
Sorry I can’t link now but search for the piggy whispering thread. There’s useful info in there on how to talk to them in their own language. And it’s only been a week. She was ripped from what she knew and put in a new environment.
 
piggyma said:
I've had this female guinea pig close to a week now. Not GREAT progress. I will admit, I've been hectic busy moving, and having visitors that include noisy children. I'm afraid the children are making it more difficult for the guinea pig to become comfortable with me, or in her new home/environment. I didn't expect her to bond easily tho, since she belonged to someone else first, and that she's been with one owner for about 3-4 months, tho they didn't provide her with the best of attention.
Click to expand...

Hi!

You may find the information and tips in these two links here helpful. They give you an understanding how things look from the perspective of your guinea pig, how prey animal instincts work and how you can avoid triggering them. It also tells you how you can invite your girl to become a member of the group you are leading (giving her an group identity and you a piggy identity at the same time) and how you can tell her that you love and cherish her in piggy body language so it makes instant sense to her.
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

Not having had much in the way of understanding and friendly human interaction and being in a busy, noisy home won't unfortunately help you at all.
Please be patient and persist, but don't push her too far too fast; listen to her and respect her if she wants you to stop. then you take two steps back, give her time out and start again from a lower level. Building up again should happen each time a little more quickly.
Trust needs to make deep roots first before it can grow. This is a process that takes weeks or often even months but nothing is like that amazing moment when you realise that you have earned the full and implicit trust of a being that has never had anything in the way of friendly interaction and for who humans were smelly and noisy giant predators, able to kill her on a whim.
 
Aw, good on you for giving her a new home, I’m sure she will settle in soon x
 
Update on the female, she's gotten more comfortable immensely since first mentioning her. I've moved her into a different room, and she's seemed to like it far better. She eats more with me around. She'll come to her hutch door for treats etc. She still doesn't like to be grabbed/held, but that's most guinea pigs in general? I'm not sure, but I'm happy with the progress so far. :)
 
Some pigs never like being caught, others get used to it, especially if it means something good like going out for a run/coming home for food etc. I’ve had my latest boys for 3 months now and Oggie has just started to climb up into my hand when I go to take them out, so it may take a while before she feels comfortable. Stick with it!
 
I've had my piggies for 31/2 years and none of them like being picked up. They will eat food out of my hand no problem but I have to herd them into hideys to pick them up unless I catch one of them asleep.
 
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