Tiny
Teenage Guinea Pig
So, I've had my girls with me for about 6 weeks; they're about 14 weeks old. Of course, they've grown massively since I got them, and it's been fascinating gaining their trust and watching their little personalities come out.
I weigh them weekly (Willow more often when she had her abscess issues); Marble has always been a little heavier and broader, Willow's longer and sleeker. They 'fit' their breed look/shape, with Marble being Aby/Peru and Willow being more Silkie-like.
Now, I'm hoping this is just a sign of them being über-comfortable with me and having settled in well (surely every piggy owners wish!). Willow has started sleeping in open areas of the cage. Not on/in the cosy furniture. And she seems to be sleeping/resting more. She's NOT puffed up, or hiding in a corner (far from it). She's eating and pooping fine, but is allowing me to pick her up easier (still doesn't like it but is less resistant). I was initially worried that Marble had been territorial over the cosy areas and may have been turfing Willow out/off, but she's not. They rarely share the hay tray, but it's pretty even - they can both hold their own or be submissive in equal measures. Willow also lost a bit of weight (about 30g in a week) but she's now regained that. If she's snoozing by the bars, she also lets me stroke her (this is from a previously cautious pig who'd shoot away if I attempted that). However, she does eat well, does popcorn and zoomies, she's just a little more... subdued?
Could I have:
a) a sick pig?
b) a pig who's outgrown the exuberance of babyhood?
c) a very trusting, chilled pig and a hyper vigilant brain?
I'm hoping c), but knowing that piggies can expertly hide illnesses, I'm worried I'm looking too deeply into something that isn't there!
I weigh them weekly (Willow more often when she had her abscess issues); Marble has always been a little heavier and broader, Willow's longer and sleeker. They 'fit' their breed look/shape, with Marble being Aby/Peru and Willow being more Silkie-like.
Now, I'm hoping this is just a sign of them being über-comfortable with me and having settled in well (surely every piggy owners wish!). Willow has started sleeping in open areas of the cage. Not on/in the cosy furniture. And she seems to be sleeping/resting more. She's NOT puffed up, or hiding in a corner (far from it). She's eating and pooping fine, but is allowing me to pick her up easier (still doesn't like it but is less resistant). I was initially worried that Marble had been territorial over the cosy areas and may have been turfing Willow out/off, but she's not. They rarely share the hay tray, but it's pretty even - they can both hold their own or be submissive in equal measures. Willow also lost a bit of weight (about 30g in a week) but she's now regained that. If she's snoozing by the bars, she also lets me stroke her (this is from a previously cautious pig who'd shoot away if I attempted that). However, she does eat well, does popcorn and zoomies, she's just a little more... subdued?
Could I have:
a) a sick pig?
b) a pig who's outgrown the exuberance of babyhood?
c) a very trusting, chilled pig and a hyper vigilant brain?
I'm hoping c), but knowing that piggies can expertly hide illnesses, I'm worried I'm looking too deeply into something that isn't there!
