Just came home

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
This was my first time traveling away from my piggies and noticed a few things when I came home that I am extremely worried about.
1. There were about four large calcium deposits on the fleece. My piggies rarely even make one small one.
2. Only one of their water bottles was empty. They normally go through one water bottle every 24 or so hours, meaning that four or more should have been empty.
3. They were super bonded to me but now won't even get near me.
4. They are being slightly aggressive with one another (chasing, mounting, etc.).
What should I do? I am so stressed and feel like I ruined my bond with them.

 

[Swissgreys]

How long were you away for and was someone else looking after them while you were gone?
If so hopefully they were filling the water bottles and maybe they fed them something that they shouldn't?
Did you check that all the bottles are still working and not blocked?
I also find my piggies drink less if the water hasn't been changed every couple of days - I don't usually wait until the bottle is empty.

Maybe something happened that spooked them?
Or maybe they just found the change in routine unsettling?

We regularly leave our guinea pigs when we go away and the only real difference we notice when we get back is that they tend to be a bit quieter for the first few days.
I assume it is becasue the pet sitter only comes in to feed, water and clean the cages and so they aren't used to having people in the house all day.

 

[stef.trg]

Hi!
This was my first time traveling away from my piggies and noticed a few things when I came home that I am extremely worried about.
1. There were about four large calcium deposits on the fleece. My piggies rarely even make one small one.
2. Only one of their water bottles was empty. They normally go through one water bottle every 24 or so hours, meaning that four or more should have been empty.
3. They were super bonded to me but now won't even get near me.
4. They are being slightly aggressive with one another (chasing, mounting, etc.).
What should I do? I am so stressed and feel like I ruined my bond with them.

I can‘t offer much expertise but maybe this will make you feel better I went away for a 10 days in August, first time I was away from the piggies (my OH looked after them while I was gone). When I came back I was obviously super excited to see them all again. Well, they weren‘t as much haha. 3 of them hid when they saw me and Pewter came to sniff my hand, gave me the most disappointed look ever, and waddled off. I could’ve cried because I thought all the bonding was for nothing. But after a couple of days of being back and some hand-fed coriander they all went back to normal and everything was as always.

So I wouldn’t worry too much about that, I‘m sure they‘ll come around quickly you‘ve got such a great bond with your piggies after all!

 

[alpacasqueak]

Yes definitely agree, I had to stay in hospital for a few days a few years back (damn wonky brain!) and my sister had been caring for the beasts. The pigs (Rupert and Jess who at that time think I’d had 4 years) were very funny with me, not the usual squeaky happy beasts that loved their mum!
My rat Ollie would not come near me! Even made hissy noises I’d never had from him ever! I must’ve smelt very odd (nasty hospitals!) and it was strange I was back!

They were back to normal within a couple of days, think it was just a change of routine and a strange person doing things, then me suddenly back!
Try not to worry, just let them get used to you being back and talk to them, maybe a few tasty munchies as we know that always helps with piggles and go easy on the handling etc until they’re a bit more relaxed x

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

How long were you away for and was someone else looking after them while you were gone?
If so hopefully they were filling the water bottles and maybe they fed them something that they shouldn't?
Did you check that all the bottles are still working and not blocked?
I also find my piggies drink less if the water hasn't been changed every couple of days - I don't usually wait until the bottle is empty.

Maybe something happened that spooked them?
Or maybe they just found the change in routine unsettling?

We regularly leave our guinea pigs when we go away and the only real difference we notice when we get back is that they tend to be a bit quieter for the first few days.
I assume it is becasue the pet sitter only comes in to feed, water and clean the cages and so they aren't used to having people in the house all day.

Hi!
Thank you so much for your help and advice!
I wasn't away for a very long time, and I had a friend and my dad both looking after the piggies. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but they started drinking a bunch when I came home yesterday.
My dad thinks that they became somewhat stressed and frightened when I left because I have been with them (mostly all day) for the past year of owning them. I rescued them as babies, and they have never had another caregiver. They seem to be a bit better today, but Stubbins' poop, which finally firmed up after about seven months, is now mushy again. I think that I will wait to give the vet a call, as I have a feeling that she just needs a day or two to adjust to me coming home.