Jealous Guinea Pig

[Potatofriend]

Hello all! My boy Theo (baby, 3 months) has been medicines for a while now, and also needs syringe feeding critical care whenever he wants it to keep his weight up.
The problem is my boy Zizi (senior pig, ~3 years) thinks it is treats he’s not allowed - he tries to get to the critical care particularly, and I’ve had to shoo him away to stop him biting the syringe. I give him an occasional peaflake and cuddle, but he’s still very sulky and has started nipping Theo
Is there anything I can syringe feed Zizi that won’t upset his stomach that will make him feel less left out? Would that help? I’ve tried giving him treats but there were too many (Theo has a lot of syringe feeds) and Zizi ended up with squishy pops.
Is there anything else I can do help him feel less left out?

 

[Wiebke]

Hello all! My boy Theo (baby, 3 months) has been medicines for a while now, and also needs syringe feeding critical care whenever he wants it to keep his weight up.
The problem is my boy Zizi (senior pig, ~3 years) thinks it is treats he’s not allowed - he tries to get to the critical care particularly, and I’ve had to shoo him away to stop him biting the syringe. I give him an occasional peaflake and cuddle, but he’s still very sulky and has started nipping Theo
Is there anything I can syringe feed Zizi that won’t upset his stomach that will make him feel less left out? Would that help? I’ve tried giving him treats but there were too many (Theo has a lot of syringe feeds) and Zizi ended up with squishy pops.
Is there anything else I can do help him feel less left out?

Hi

Just let him have a little nibble of syringe feed, too. It makes good training for medication later on.
The 'I want what you have' instinct in group animals like guinea pigs can be a blessing but with any extras you have to make provision that the companion is smelling the same around the mouth.

 

[VickiA]

I always let any cage mates have a little taste, too. In our cages the empty Emeraid syringes do the rounds so that every pig can nibble the end and get a taste.

 

[Potatofriend]

I will let him have a little bit then - hopefully he will be satisfied and not want the whole thing Thank you for the advice!

 

[Wiebke]

I always let any cage mates have a little taste, too. In our cages the empty Emeraid syringes do the rounds so that every pig can nibble the end and get a taste.

Same here; just serve any leftovers in a bowl or let the companion have a little nibble at the syringe with just a bit of feed inside so they feel not left out and grow up thinking that feeding support is a treat.