My Guinea Pig refuses friends

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artPUNK

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Hi there 😄 new member here!

So my reason for joining the forum is because I’m having an incredibly hard time bonding with my Pig!
I got him from a pet store, where he was alone and I felt bad for him, so decided to take him home and give him as much love and attention as I possibly could.

It’s been around 3 months since I got him and he refuses to show any interest in me. He ignores any kind of toys and doesn’t even move when I take him out to “play”. He just sits still and makes a kind of deep clicking noise.
I’ve tried everything that I have read online, but nothing helps. I even tried introducing a friend into the cage (gradually over a few weeks) and he couldn’t of cared less 🙁

I just do not feel any kind of connection at all and it’s all on his terms.
He’s rarely active. I’ve taken him to a vet and they suggested everything I’ve tried as he may well be depressed.

I really don’t want to get rid of him, but what’s the point in owning a pet that takes up so much room and feels Nothing for me.

I’m trying so hard but there has been no improvement at all. Help. Please.
 
artPUNK said:
Hi there 😄 new member here!

So my reason for joining the forum is because I’m having an incredibly hard time bonding with my Pig!
I got him from a pet store, where he was alone and I felt bad for him, so decided to take him home and give him as much love and attention as I possibly could.

It’s been around 3 months since I got him and he refuses to show any interest in me. He ignores any kind of toys and doesn’t even move when I take him out to “play”. He just sits still and makes a kind of deep clicking noise.
I’ve tried everything that I have read online, but nothing helps. I even tried introducing a friend into the cage (gradually over a few weeks) and he couldn’t of cared less 🙁

I just do not feel any kind of connection at all and it’s all on his terms.
He’s rarely active. I’ve taken him to a vet and they suggested everything I’ve tried as he may well be depressed.

I really don’t want to get rid of him, but what’s the point in owning a pet that takes up so much room and feels Nothing for me.

I’m trying so hard but there has been no improvement at all. Help. Please.
Click to expand...

He’s a Guinea pig, they don’t form bonds with humans like you’d like him too. It sounds like you’re giving him a good life. Get him a female friend (if hes neutered) and you’ll see his character change over a few weeks. Guinea pigs need guinea pig friends to feel happy and safe. You’ll soon see a difference :)
 
Any human interaction with guinea pigs should always be on their terms unless they need a vet check or a nail trim! Your piggy sounds like he might be depressed, also remember that piggies learn normal play behaviours from their piggy friends and without piggy company he might well be too nervous to enjoy playing and exploring. Or just not know what to do, he wont know the new object you give him is a toy not a scary thing- a lot of piggies will wait to see a more confident friend work out a toy before daring to join in.
From what you say, you've only tried to introduce 1 piggy friend that you chose yourself- imagine being alone for years then someone picks a random bloke off the street and dumps him in your house and expects you to be buddies! Letting your piggy choose his own friend from a selection of possible friends at a rescue, on neutral territory, is the best option- or as @Hannah_xx says getting him neutered so he can have a lady friend or two is an alternative best option!
Most of the joy of piggy keeping is watching their funny social behaviours when they are with their piggy friends. They will not bond usually with a human like a dog or cat might do, piggies who like a lot of human company are very rare- we have 8 piggies and only 1 is what you might call cuddly friendly- but with the confidence they get from being with a piggy friend which allows their natural herd behaviours they usually become more relaxed and inquisitive about human interactions.
 
:agr:with the above advice give by @PigglePuggle & @Hannah_xx Guinea pigs are not like other pets who show you affection - like a cat & dog.... but they are such adorable little things.. have you got your piggy a friend?
 
They said they tried introducing a friend already. Are there any rescues near you? Maybe they could offer some advice/help. TBH most of my pigs just tolerate me, only a couple with them I've really bonded with (usually the ones that have needed syringe feeding etc), but it's lovely watching them interact with their piggy friends and if you persist with baby steps trying to bond with them, it's really rewarding when they start to trust you. Offering treats during lap time is a good way to help build their trust. However if you don't think piggies are for you maybe it is kinder to rehome him to a rescue. Good luck.
 
while I do agree on the whole with what has been said about human interaction, I do have one boar who seeks out human attention. He is absolutely besotted with me and we have a very strong bond.

I would personally just keep trying what you are trying and keep persevering with your little piggie. Even before handling, just sit and talk to him and offer food etc, its amazing what they will do for food. Some of my pigs have taken absolutely ages to warm up to me. I also still have a pig who I have had for 4 years who is still pretty distant from me but she doesn't run away and will tolerate 5 mins of cuddles.
He will warm to you but may never be a cuddly and affectionate pig.
 
So I have tried multiple Guinea’s to befriend him, yet he doesn’t want to know. He seems pretty territorial!
He gets quite aggressive. This is after weeks of attempting a single pig.

When I say about a “bond” I mean any kind of friendship whatsoever.
He doesn’t approach me (in or outside of his cage).
He rarely takes food from me.
He literally sits in one spot all day. Even in his cage.
I feel as though he is still traumatised by being separated from his siblings, but won’t accept anybody else.
 
artPUNK said:
Hi there 😄 new member here!

So my reason for joining the forum is because I’m having an incredibly hard time bonding with my Pig!
I got him from a pet store, where he was alone and I felt bad for him, so decided to take him home and give him as much love and attention as I possibly could.

It’s been around 3 months since I got him and he refuses to show any interest in me. He ignores any kind of toys and doesn’t even move when I take him out to “play”. He just sits still and makes a kind of deep clicking noise.
I’ve tried everything that I have read online, but nothing helps. I even tried introducing a friend into the cage (gradually over a few weeks) and he couldn’t of cared less 🙁

I just do not feel any kind of connection at all and it’s all on his terms.
He’s rarely active. I’ve taken him to a vet and they suggested everything I’ve tried as he may well be depressed.

I really don’t want to get rid of him, but what’s the point in owning a pet that takes up so much room and feels Nothing for me.

I’m trying so hard but there has been no improvement at all. Help. Please.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. it sounds like you have done everything you could. Your boy sounds very depressed and like he has lost the ability to see himself as a guinea pig but has also not been able to create a human bond instead due to lack of interaction in his previous home.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour

Have you tried piggy whispering with him to see whether you can build up communication in his own body language that he should instinctively understand?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Can you try and see whether you can enrich his life and his interest with feeding him in ways that he needs to come out, work more for his food that is wrapped in brown paper or served in a paper bag with cut through handles and interact more?
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
 
Wow thank you for these recommendations. I have not tried any of these yet.
It’s pretty heartbreaking feeling like I can’t help him. No matter what I try.
I don’t want him to die from depression 😔
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. it sounds like you have done everything you could. Your boy sounds very depressed and like he has lost the ability to see himself as a guinea pig but has also not been able to create a human bond instead due to lack of interaction in his previous home.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Moody guinea pigs: Depression, Bullying, Aggression, Stress, Fear and Antisocial Behaviour

Have you tried piggy whispering with him to see whether you can build up communication in his own body language that he should instinctively understand?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Can you try and see whether you can enrich his life and his interest with feeding him in ways that he needs to come out, work more for his food that is wrapped in brown paper or served in a paper bag with cut through handles and interact more?
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
Click to expand...
 
Another note: I have only tried to introduce females. Would it be possible for a pair of males to get on?
 
Would him living side by side with another guinea pig he can talk to through the bars be an option?
 
Yes it is possible cor a pair of males to get on. They need to be introduced in neutral space.

There are some great bonding threads on here. Best of luck.
 
I’ve noted that when you try to introduce another piggy you say he becomes territorial. Any pig will do that if you put the stranger in their cage. They’ve marked it and are used to it being ‘theirs’ so don’t want to share.

As mentioned above, you need to do any intros on neutral territory. And when you’re planning to put them back in a cage together, make sure you’ve thoroughly cleaned it so there’s no scents lingering.

If you can find a rescue near you that does boar dating, it would be a good way to get him a friend. It’s all about personality so it’s best if he can choose his own cage mate.

I take it he’s neutered?

Sorry it seems so bad but I think if you can get him a friend he’ll come out of his shell.

I recommend the piggy whispering. Does he have hides in his cage?

I’m late to the party but hope the links and info will help you. Update would be nice as well. Good luck.

PS you can’t introduce other piggies over time. If you decide to do so, it’s an all or nothing kind of game. Piggies don’t do play dates so each time you put together and separate, they have to start the bonding and dominance again.

All the best.
 
The piggy whispering techniques that @Wiebke have linked in for you are very good. Some of them you feel a bit of a fool doing so make sure nobody is around! It's not silly if you are talking piggy and your piggy will understand and appreciate you talking piggy. The most useful tip I found was to talk as you approach your piggy as a predator is silent.
 
artPUNK said:
Another note: I have only tried to introduce females. Would it be possible for a pair of males to get on?
Click to expand...

Is your boy neutered (seeing that you have tried to introduce sows) and have you had him vet checked to make sure that he is healthy?

Boars can be bonded at all ages, but if your boy is not interested in sows, he is unfortunately highly unlikely to be interested in boys, either.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

It can well be that he is either very traumatised or very afraid of other piggies - or both. :(

Do you have a good rescue within your reach that you could help you to assess your boy and try to boar date him for you?
You can find links to good standard rescues that offer boar dating in the link above.
 
Honestly, he sounds bored and depressed to me and would probably really benefit from a friend. A lot of guinea pigs just sit like lumps without another guinea pig for stimulation. You say you have tried to introduce friends but he becomes aggressive... have you taken a look at some of the bonding guides above? Introductions need to take place on neutral territory (any pig will react aggressively if you try to place a stranger into their space.) Is he neutered? If not, please stop trying to introduce sows- you will just end up with unplanned pregnancies. Boars can get along with other boars, but it's really important to go into introductions with an idea of how to make them more likely to succeed, which is why I recommend going over the bonding guides in detail before you try again to make sure you stack the odds in favor of success.
 
Welcome to the forum
I really cannot add to the advice already given but well done for persevering and seeking advice to help him.
Hope one at least of the suggestions will prove helpful.
 
Hi! I did not have guinea pigs when I was a child, but my daughter now has four that we have only since November. It did take some adjusting to for us to realize that guinea pigs do not necessarily like to "cuddle" with or get pet by humans. You might see videos on the internet that make you think this is how it should be, but honestly I am suspicious that most pigs just learn to go along with it because they otherwise like their human companions. This the important part: they may not be super interested in having you cuddle or even touch them, but they DO start to like you and show it in other ways.

Ours really like to hear us talking and they like to run around and act ridiculous if we let them have floor time and sit down on the floor and just talk and interact with them. Of our four, two come lunging to greet us the minute we enter the room and two go darting into hides if we so much as move too abruptly. Three put up with getting pet to one degree or another. The fourth does not like it at all and it really makes him stressed out. But even HE likes to come hang out with us and climb up on our laps if we sit down on the floor with him. All four of them dislike being picked up and will resist and evade the attempts. NOT ONE of them really enjoys being held. But all four of them generally prefer having us present in the room and show a great degree of interest in interacting in ways that don't involve touching.

We currently have two that live together and two that had to be separated (even though they're still all next door to each other and can see and interact with each other). The two that live together in the same cage are waaayyyy happier than the other two. But, interestingly, the two that live together in the same cage are also the two that are the least interested in getting "cuddles" from humans.

Hopefully, you can get a friend for your pig. But you can't just plop a new friend into the cage with the old one. You do a formal introduction in neutral territory (like another room of the house) and it takes a number of hours and it's important to read about the best way to do it. Then if it goes well, they get put together into a new or else thoroughly cleaned with all new bedding cage so that the old one doesn't perceive an invader in his space. If it goes well, then you might end up with one pig that is friendly toward you and one that is always a little stand-offish and that's okay, he still gets to live out his life in a good environment and you can enjoy the other one. Also, as time goes on, especially if he has a friend to help him, he may eventually come around. I have seen people on YouTube talking about having pigs that took several years to really bond with their humans.

Good luck! I hope it gets better!
 
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