Moody Male!

[FalieH033]

Our friends home burnt down about two weeks ago, they could not take their guinea pig G with them so they gave him to me. Post usual he was very skittish and scared because of the new area. After about three to five days he was lovey dovey and calm as ever! He is so much healthier then he ever has been because they didn’t properly care and love him. The past three or four days he’s been acting strange though, very moody and became skittish again. Every move I make in my room he watches me like a hawk and stops whatever he is doing. He doesn’t have mites, injuries, or fleas I’ve checked him and I give him regular veggies everyday (celery or lettuce), but lately he’s been moody and he just nipped me for the first time after trying to comfort him! Help please?

 

[Claire5012]

Is he a single pig? He might be moody because he's frustrated and lonely. When I got Frodo he was a single pig. He was a rescue due to him not getting on with other pigs in his last home. I always planned to get him a friend but for the time being he too was a moody so and so. He's very affectionate and loves his tickles but he does have a naughty streak at times. After getting a friend he has calmed down but he still can be a bit teasy sometimes. Like tonight, he always hates me cleaning out his cage. It's nothing new for him to run out of his bed to ram me with his front teeth. He doesn't bite he just pushes me with them ( he only does this during cage cleaning times). This leads me to ask how old is your piggy? Frodo is in his teenage years and a little feisty at times which isn't unusual at that age.

 

[Claire5012]

Also if he is a single pig they tend to be more skittish. The only other thing I can think that would make a pig moody is a cage that's too small?

 

[FalieH033]

Is he a single pig? He might be moody because he's frustrated and lonely. When I got Frodo he was a single pig. He was a rescue due to him not getting on with other pigs in his last home. I always planned to get him a friend but for the time being he too was a moody so and so. He's very affectionate and loves his tickles but he does have a naughty streak at times. After getting a friend he has calmed down but he still can be a bit teasy sometimes. Like tonight, he always hates me cleaning out his cage. It's nothing new for him to run out of his bed to ram me with his front teeth. He doesn't bite he just pushes me with them ( he only does this during cage cleaning times). This leads me to ask how old is your piggy? Frodo is in his teenage years and a little feisty at times which isn't unusual at that age.

From what I know G maybe is a year. Here is a picture of him, he’s never been with a companion but I sadly definitely do not have the money or time for another ginuea to take care of. I just cleaned his cage out right before I made this account, he doesn’t seem to mind because he loves being on my bed, I am wondering if I maybe need to let him roam more or something of that sort. I would definitely love to get another piggy for him but I just don’t have the funding for it sadly.

 

[FalieH033]

Also if he is a single pig they tend to be more skittish. The only other thing I can think that would make a pig moody is a cage that's too small?

That’s what I’m thinking! I really feel like his cage is way too small! This is a picture of him in his cage, the scale of him compared to his cage is just too big to be in a cage that small. I have recently noticed he never has any room and I would love to put something in there for him to be able to hide but I can’t cause there is no room. Haha also excuse my use of having a towel for bedding, sadly none of the stores around me sell bedding. He loves the towels though and has become fond of them.

 

[Claire5012]

He's such a cutie and yes it looks like he will need a bigger cage. It would definitely benefit him especially since then he can have a house to hide in to feel more secure. Frodo is a year old and I think I read that they don't reach adulthood until they are 14 - 15 months old. My piggies only have out of cage time on my bed. I haven't got the space to give them anywhere bigger but they seem happy. They're normally out for between 9 and 12 hours a week. Also does your pig have hay in his cage? Maybe he does but I can't see it. As for the towel... Whatever makes the piggy happy you're onto a winner!

 

[FalieH033]

I let G roam around my room because I have the second master sweet in my house, my room is about the same size as my parents just without the walk in closet and bathroom. I let him roam on a blanket for veggie time and then let him play a little bit, but I only let him on my bed during cleaning time and he hides under my blankets. I just gave him veggies because I forgot them the last two days and he has perked up a lot. The Timothy Hay is a problem, that and bedding are two things I can’t seem to find where I live. But he does have pellet Timothy Hay but I would prefer to get him pure Timothy hay because of it being extremely important. Also, since they never told me if they checked G if he was a male or female I just checked him (having to take him out three or four times to recheck cause he wouldn’t stop squirming to try to get to my blankets put him in a mood but he got out of it already) and from what I am seeing he might actually be a female. I would have to do a thourough check tomorrow if G is a little more perky. I’m definitely going to invest in a cage that is wider. I’ve tried not to let him out too much though because I do have a 14 year old beagle/chihuahua mix that has found that my room by my closet doors has became a perfect place to go when she can’t hold her bladder and won’t tell us she has to go out (sadly she is old and can’t hold her bladder anymore and is going blind and deaf but is still happy and energetic as ever...even though she never really has been the energetic dog but she will still go for walks happily and doesn’t fall...here’s a few picture of her, I literally have over 900 of them in my phone haha, her names Tootsie Roll! I love how this forum lets you post pictures.) So I don’t want G to get frightened by the scents. She doesn’t come in my room anymore, but I try my best to keep G on the blanket because my bed has an opening under it and it would be a disaster trying to get my piggy out from under there. I’ve been looking around for Timothy Hay and a bigger cage, I will definitely do some more deep searching for it along with a baby fence so I can make an official play area for G in the one spot of my room that nothing’s touched.

 

[FalieH033]

He's such a cutie and yes it looks like he will need a bigger cage. It would definitely benefit him especially since then he can have a house to hide in to feel more secure. Frodo is a year old and I think I read that they don't reach adulthood until they are 14 - 15 months old. My piggies only have out of cage time on my bed. I haven't got the space to give them anywhere bigger but they seem happy. They're normally out for between 9 and 12 hours a week. Also does your pig have hay in his cage? Maybe he does but I can't see it. As for the towel... Whatever makes the piggy happy you're onto a winner!

I let G roam around my room because I have the second master sweet in my house, my room is about the same size as my parents just without the walk in closet and bathroom. I let him roam on a blanket for veggie time and then let him play a little bit, but I only let him on my bed during cleaning time and he hides under my blankets. I just gave him veggies because I forgot them the last two days and he has perked up a lot. The Timothy Hay is a problem, that and bedding are two things I can’t seem to find where I live. But he does have pellet Timothy Hay but I would prefer to get him pure Timothy hay because of it being extremely important. Also, since they never told me if they checked G if he was a male or female I just checked him (having to take him out three or four times to recheck cause he wouldn’t stop squirming to try to get to my blankets put him in a mood but he got out of it already) and from what I am seeing he might actually be a female. I would have to do a thourough check tomorrow if G is a little more perky. I’m definitely going to invest in a cage that is wider. I’ve tried not to let him out too much though because I do have a 14 year old beagle/chihuahua mix that has found that my room by my closet doors has became a perfect place to go when she can’t hold her bladder and won’t tell us she has to go out (sadly she is old and can’t hold her bladder anymore and is going blind and deaf but is still happy and energetic as ever...even though she never really has been the energetic dog but she will still go for walks happily and doesn’t fall...here’s a few picture of her, I literally have over 900 of them in my phone haha, her names Tootsie Roll! I love how this forum lets you post pictures.) So I don’t want G to get frightened by the scents. She doesn’t come in my room anymore, but I try my best to keep G on the blanket because my bed has an opening under it and it would be a disaster trying to get my piggy out from under there. I’ve been looking around for Timothy Hay and a bigger cage, I will definitely do some more deep searching for it along with a baby fence so I can make an official play area for G in the one spot of my room that nothing’s touched.

 

[Claire5012]

Awww your dog is gorgeous! I have 2 chihuahuas and you don't have to worry about the guinea pig smelling your dogs scent although I would keep him away from the wee area. Piggies get used to all sorts of smells and sounds alike. My dogs are very vocal and my pigs are very used to their noise and smell and it doesn't phase them. You can line your whole cage with blankets and towels that is no problem but you really need to find some hay! It is the most important part of their diet. Have a look online. You can do a search on this site and see what sites other members recommend

 

[FalieH033]

Awww your dog is gorgeous! I have 2 chihuahuas and you don't have to worry about the guinea pig smelling your dogs scent although I would keep him away from the wee area. Piggies get used to all sorts of smells and sounds alike. My dogs are very vocal and my pigs are very used to their noise and smell and it doesn't phase them. You can line your whole cage with blankets and towels that is no problem but you really need to find some hay! It is the most important part of their diet. Have a look online. You can do a search on this site and see what sites other members recommend

She very much is! I was just a but worried and G definitely stays away from the wet spots I’m going to be looking soon when I get money!

 

[Reenie]

If you're struggling to get Timothy hay, just get any type, either from a pet shop or a farm. Hay is the most important part of their diet, as it keeps their teeth worn down and their guts moving. Untreated dental and gut problems are potentially fatal for guinea pigs, so definitely get some kind of hay - it should be 80% of their diet. Definitely a bigger cage, and somewhere to hide. Even if you put a towel over part of the cage until you get a bigger one. They need to hide away to feel safe. That's why he's going under the covers on your bed. Lastly, a friend is a real need for piggies, as they are social and vocal, and really need a friend of their own species. I hope this helps, it's been really good of you to take on your friend's pet, and you have an amazing chance to make the little dude's life so much better. All the best x