KawaiiBunny
Junior Guinea Pig
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2018
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 70
I recently repurchased my guinea pigs who were sick, but are now healthy. They had an eye infection, and one took two days to show it, so they were at different stages of the illness. Since they were at different stages, they were separated. Pecan, who had the infection first, was housed with an old cagemate who got sick the same day as her. Maple, however, was housed alone because she was behind. Yesterday I picked them up and reintroduced them. They are both babies, and nowhere on the internet does anyone talk about introducing babies, so I wasn’t sure if they would behave the way adult sows might.
In any case, once I put them together in their neutral meeting grounds, Maple froze. She didn’t move very much. Pecan pop corned, ran around, and would go back to visit Maple often. She’d nuzzle under Maple’s chin or stick her nose in Maple’s fluff. Occasionally she would nibble Maple’s ear, and then go back to popcorning and exploring. Maple would interact with my parent’s cavalier when she came by, but just sat watching Pecan when she came nearby, but never acted aggressive.
Since my husband and I took them back to our apartment, I’ve been observing them in their new cage. Maple started to act like a normal guinea pig, running around her new space, and is probably more friendly than a new cavy should be. She’d always come check out what I was doing if I came by to fix something in the cage or put in food or eat from our hand. Pecan, naturally, was shy, and hid until we left, in which case, she followed Maple.
What worries me is their relationship, as it seems one sided. If Pecan is getting a drink, Maple will line up behind her and then sort of nip Pecan, though it may have been more of a nudge since there were no cries of pain. Pecan would scurry away from the kitchen area. I have two bottles, two food bowls, and have plenty of hay for them both to eat separate and peacefully. Pecan, however, insists on eating from the same bowl as Maple. My Maple also tried to hog the big fleece tunnel I made, but let Pecan squeeze in with her more than once for an extended period of time.
I gave them both a buddy bath last night, hoping that Maple would rely on Pecan for comfort and hopefully live happily ever after. I’m not sure it made much of a difference, as both piggies just explored the tub and even tried to face up against the waterfall from the facet as I was filling it. They are something else...
Let me know if their behavior is normal. I want to make sure that both of them are happy and healthy. Also, do they have small tummies? I gave them two different bowls of veggies, but both ate a bit from one bowl and then decided to go back to their favorite hideout...at least they’re together
In any case, once I put them together in their neutral meeting grounds, Maple froze. She didn’t move very much. Pecan pop corned, ran around, and would go back to visit Maple often. She’d nuzzle under Maple’s chin or stick her nose in Maple’s fluff. Occasionally she would nibble Maple’s ear, and then go back to popcorning and exploring. Maple would interact with my parent’s cavalier when she came by, but just sat watching Pecan when she came nearby, but never acted aggressive.
Since my husband and I took them back to our apartment, I’ve been observing them in their new cage. Maple started to act like a normal guinea pig, running around her new space, and is probably more friendly than a new cavy should be. She’d always come check out what I was doing if I came by to fix something in the cage or put in food or eat from our hand. Pecan, naturally, was shy, and hid until we left, in which case, she followed Maple.
What worries me is their relationship, as it seems one sided. If Pecan is getting a drink, Maple will line up behind her and then sort of nip Pecan, though it may have been more of a nudge since there were no cries of pain. Pecan would scurry away from the kitchen area. I have two bottles, two food bowls, and have plenty of hay for them both to eat separate and peacefully. Pecan, however, insists on eating from the same bowl as Maple. My Maple also tried to hog the big fleece tunnel I made, but let Pecan squeeze in with her more than once for an extended period of time.
I gave them both a buddy bath last night, hoping that Maple would rely on Pecan for comfort and hopefully live happily ever after. I’m not sure it made much of a difference, as both piggies just explored the tub and even tried to face up against the waterfall from the facet as I was filling it. They are something else...
Let me know if their behavior is normal. I want to make sure that both of them are happy and healthy. Also, do they have small tummies? I gave them two different bowls of veggies, but both ate a bit from one bowl and then decided to go back to their favorite hideout...at least they’re together
