• PLEASE NOTE - the TEAS facebook page has been hacked, take extreme care when visiting the page, for further information visit here

My New Guinea Pig

Status
Not open for further replies.

Charlie-Dee

New Born Pup
Joined
Jun 7, 2015
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Points
55
Today I brought a guinea pig, and he seemed really content and cheerful with the rest of his litter (he is 3 months old). But, as soon as I brought him home, he has been really skittish and I haven't seen him eat or drink, despite buying all the food he has previously had. He has hidden in a tiny hide away in the cornor of his house, and won't come out. I have decided to go back to the shop tomorrow to buy his brother, so he isn't as lonely, as i have enough food and space for them both. But i'm really worried about him, is this normal? and is there anything I can do to make him feel more at ease? Thank you x
 
Hi and welcome!

Please be aware that guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to live on their own. Your little boy is currently feeling very lost and exposed finding himself alone and exposed in unknown territory - a perfect nightmare for any prey animal. Please get him a companion; ideally one that he can choose for a much more stable companionship! We have got a recommended UK rescues locator on the top bar where many of them offer to bond your boy at the rescue under expert supervision with an already quarantined and healthy rescue boar for a much more stable relationship. A larger age difference can often help to additionally stabilise a boar bond as only one the boys is going through the tricky hormonal teenage months at any time.
Have you got him from a shop or a breeder and are the different genders separated? Boars can make babies from 3 weeks onwards and sows can get pregnant from 4 weeks onwards, so you want to make double sure of the gender.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/companionship.37654/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/the-myth-about-boys.126564/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/cage-size-guide.120795/
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

Here are some tips on how you can help settle him in into his new home, but please be aware that this doesn't replace his overwhelming need for round-the-clock company of his own kind! it always takes time to settle in new guinea pigs that have hardly had any human interaction, but it can be harder for single piggies and they are also more likely to develop annoying attention seeking behaviours in their desire for social interaction once they have settled in.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-do-i-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs.36239/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...stincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-pick-up-your-guinea-pig.126359/

You may also find these threads here helpful, but you can find much more information at the top of our various Care section. You are welcome to ask any questions you may have:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

As we have got members from all over the world, we find it very helpful of you please added your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!
 
Hello there and welcome. Yes, guinea pigs need to be kept in pairs/small groups. Either 2 boys( 3 or more males together is usually an unstable mix!);or 2 or more girls;or neutered boy with one or more females. As indicated by Weibke above, they are not designed to be kept alone. He will be more confident with a companion! All guinea pigs take time to adjust to a new environment and hiding is perfectly normal to start with. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
Thank you so much! I brought him from a petshop, and they assured me i can come back for one of his brothers. Will he be okay tonight? I just feel so sorry for him, he looks terrified. Do you know if a cage with dimensions 82cm by 52 cm with height 46cm, is large enough for two guinea pigs or should i buy another one tomorrow? thank you for all the help!
 
Thank you so much! I brought him from a petshop, and they assured me i can come back for one of his brothers. Will he be okay tonight? I just feel so sorry for him, he looks terrified. Do you know if a cage with dimensions 82cm by 52 cm with height 46cm, is large enough for two guinea pigs or should i buy another one tomorrow? thank you for all the help!

Your cage is sadly a large hamster cage, and not even recommended for a single guinea pig. :(

It would be good if you please took the time to read through the links I have given you in my first post; one of them is a cage size guide. Under the circumstances, it would be best if you took the time to do your research before getting a companion; please ensure that your two boys are character compatible, don't just get the next pretty one!

Cages are generally much cheaper if you got them online than in a pet shop. Many of us now use so called C&C grid cages, which are a lot more flexible and adaptable - and cheaper! there are also now a much wider variety of beddings available than you can find a in shop. Sadly, many shops still try to lure impulse buyers with far too small "starter cages", as an appropriate cage costs a lot more and causes potential customers to think twice. They are also sadly often rather uninformed about the needs of the animals they sell - and all too often don't care. Pet make their income not through the cheap small pets or the cages, but from selling food, treats, bedding and care products - by getting to them buy in the first place, they gain a faithful repeat customer.

Have a look through our housing section for inspiration, especially the members' cage gallery (start from the back).

What you can do for your little boy apart from a soft rag or a toddler safe piggy sized cuddly toy you can also find in detail in the links I have already provided you with. ;)
 
welcome to the forum to you and your boy. Yeah, you'll need a bigger cage, petshops are bad at giving the correct info on sizes unfortunately. Zooplus sell a great cage that we used to use a ferplast 120 http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small..._cages/95868?gclid=COSexKi5_sUCFeoJwwodDE4Afw

Piggies are very skittish when the settle in and it can take a good few weeks for them to settle have a read through the settle them https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-do-i-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs.36239/
Good luck on getting him a friend, what is your piggies name?

Could you add your location to your profile also

Lovely to have you here

Lee
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top