New Guinea Pig owner - constantly worried.

[tillyfleurh]

Hello,
I don't usually do this kind of thing but I just feel so worried, I could use some advice! I got my two new piggies, Alfred (2yo) and Samuel (10 weeks) about a week and a half ago from a rescue. I did so much research and preparation beforehand yet I still feel so worried about my new piggies. I've only handled them very briefly 3 times so far to put them in their run so I could clean out the cage. And they are both getting noticeably better at interacting with me and my partner, sniffing and nibbling my fingers and taking food straight from my hand e.t.c. but I am worried that it seems they are both quite inactive through the day, and not that much more active through the night either. It is quite warm in my apartment, but I also live on a busy road and it can get quite loud with the window open, could this be the cause, and which should be priority, cold air and less noise? Neither of them are particularly vocal too, although over the last couple days, Alfred has started making a squeaky/chirpy sound once or twice a day (which doesn't seem like the usual happy wheek piggies make), at first I worried it was when he was peeing/pooping, but I can't see any evidence that this is the case once he has stopped and moved, and all his pees and poos seem normal. Although, one of my main worried is that I don't know what is normal for them yet! My local vets, who do deal with exotic animals, are not registering new animals at the moment, so they are not yet registered at the vets, but I have booked them on for a health check at the rescue centre next week so I can learn how to clip nails, groom and check boar's bits.
I know nobody can tell me what (if anything) is wrong with my piggies just from this, but mostly I'm just wondering if anyone else experiences this, what my boyfriend calls, irrational worry and stress over their piggies? He thinks they seems absolutely fine, happy, just new and shy. They do do the occasional popcorn which I love seeing. It feels like they've been inside their hidey huts all day for the past two day, only occasionally popping out for a drink, hay, dry food or when I bring the fresh food, which they just take back to their huts - and I feel like they weren't doing when I first brought them home. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make them happy - but I also want to enjoy having them too and at the moment, whilst I love them very much, I feel like I just can't relax and enjoy them yet. Am I crazy?
Sorry for the rant! Appreciate any advice you have Thank you.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

When you first bring home new pets it’s always difficult as you don’t know what is normal for them. A week and a half is a very short period of time for a prey animal to settle in - it took one of my boys six weeks before settled and became confident, taking food from my hand etc, but it took the other a year and a half before he stopped running away and hiding and took food from me!
Yes new noises and new smells are something which they will take some time to get used to.

In terms of activity, how much enrichment do they have? They are likely coming out and doing things when you aren’t there!

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Keep a weekly check on their weights as this is the best and only way to be sure they are eating enough hay which is their main food source. Pellets should be kept limited to just one tablespoon per pig per day and veg is about 50g per pig per day - veg and pellets are supplementary.

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely

Definitely do keep trying to get them registered with a vet - you never know when something will crop up.

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information

 

[Deleted member 139433]

Excellent advice you’ve had above

Hope you can relax and enjoy the piggies soon. We would love to see some pics

 

[tillyfleurh]

This is great to hear, thank you. You can read as much as possible and watch as many YouTube videos as you can that tell you the same thing, but it's never as good as hearing it from actual people! I know it will take a while for them to settle in, but I guess I was worried because it almost felt like they were more active and relaxed in the first few days than they are now, but maybe I was blinded by excitement! They have a tunnel in their cage (which they both run through literally every time they come out of their huts) and a little ball and we swap out different chewable toys too. Me and my partner were thinking about giving them some proper floor time for the first time this evening, with all the tunnels and toys, would this seem too early?
I've attached a pic of the boys, Alfred is the big brown one, and Sammy is the lil white one!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Definitely don’t worry. Some settle quicker than others.
Chew toys are generally ignored but things like cardboard boxes with doors cut in are usually most well received!

Take it at their pace - if you feel they are ready for floor time, then give it a go! They don’t tend to like open spaces so the more hides you can put around the area the better - it’ll give them the security of moving from one place to another without feeling exposed.

 

[tillyfleurh]

Definitely don’t worry. Some settle quicker than others.
Chew toys are generally ignored but things like cardboard boxes with doors cut in are usually most well received!

Take it at their pace - if you feel they are ready for floor time, then give it a go! They don’t tend to like open spaces so the more hides you can put around the area the better - it’ll give them the security of moving from one place to another without feeling exposed.

Yeah I had noticed they weren't paying much attention to the chew toy thing, so I'll give them a miss in future! They love to chew on their cardboard huts and their wooden tunnels too, so I'll stick with that kind of stuff. I'll try to stop worrying, and I won't push them too hard with the floor time - like you say, they are still very new and I think I would be doing it more to try ease my mind rather than for them, I don't want to overwhelm them so I'll leave them be for the time being. Thank you for your advice, it's been very helpful - I think I am just being very silly really!

 

[tillyfleurh]

Just hung a toilet roll inner full of hay from the top of the cage as per the enrichment advice and the boys both came out immediately and Alfred even gave me a bit of popcorning - I clearly just need to chill out a bit!

 

[Zanzan]

You really aren't being silly. Many of us on here have had pigs for years and still freeze in panic over the smallest things. You seem to have a great idea of how best to go with them - it really does take them time to work out they aren't going to be eaten alive if they step out of a hidey or make a noise. When my boy Merry came to live with us I hardly saw him for the first week but I knew he was eating lots - just not when I was around! But once he settled his cheeky personality was a joy to see. It takes time but try not to worry, I'm absolutely sure you have a lot of fun times ahead

 

[tillyfleurh]

You really aren't being silly. Many of us on here have had pigs for years and still freeze in panic over the smallest things. You seem to have a great idea of how best to go with them - it really does take them time to work out they aren't going to be eaten alive if they step out of a hidey or make a noise. When my boy Merry came to live with us I hardly saw him for the first week but I knew he was eating lots - just not when I was around! But once he settled his cheeky personality was a joy to see. It takes time but try not to worry, I'm absolutely sure you have a lot of fun times ahead

Thank you, I really appreciate hearing this. Bless them they're such scared little creatures, I don't even need love or cuddles, all I want is for them to know they're safe! I'm going to focus on just trying to relax and enjoying seeing and interacting with the piggies, even if it might not be much very often to begin with! Thanks for replying

 

[Betsy]

Have you tried covering part of their cage with a blanket? This will make them feel a bit safer.

When I adopted Pretty Patsy last September she was a very scared little piggy having been surrendered in the July, gone to one Foster house then a different house where she met my Christian () and Meg then came to live here. So that was 4 houses in 3 months! Patsy took a good 4-6 months to settle in. Now she knows that this is her forever home and she is a very confident and cheeky girl.

 

[tillyfleurh]

Have you tried covering part of their cage with a blanket? This will make them feel a bit safer.

When I adopted Pretty Patsy last September she was a very scared little piggy having been surrendered in the July, gone to one Foster house then a different house where she met my Christian () and Meg then came to live here. So that was 4 houses in 3 months! Patsy took a good 4-6 months to settle in. Now she knows that this is her forever home and she is a very confident and cheeky girl.

Oh bless her, that is a lot of moving, glad to hear she is loved and happy now! I will try putting a blanket over their cage, thanks for the advice

 

[Piggies&buns]

You definitely are not being silly - its entirely normal to worry about them, you just want them to be happy!

 

[weepweeps]

I think of you have an anxious personality (like me) they are a very big worry. Especially at the start. I have got better though.

 

[tillyfleurh]

I think of you have an anxious personality (like me) they are a very big worry. Especially at the start. I have got better though.

Yeah, you hit the nail on the head! I know it's just going to take time, for me and them!

 

[Bill & Ted]

You’ve taken on two very dear and handsome piggies Don’t feel daft, you are all on a big learning curve. It’s very natural to feel apprehensive and worry if everything is ok with them. Your boys are in the settling in period which can last quite a time. They can be quite shy for a while and will feel safer in their hides for part of the day. They do actually like taking things easy during the day and you will find them more lively morning and evenings with short bursts of energy in the daytime. Your boys are doing well by taking food from you, you’ve all made an excellent start.
Try relax and enjoy your boys, they will be fine.

 

[tillyfleurh]

You’ve taken on two very dear and handsome piggies Don’t feel daft, you are all on a big learning curve. It’s very natural to feel apprehensive and worry if everything is ok with them. Your boys are in the settling in period which can last quite a time. They can be quite shy for a while and will feel safer in their hides for part of the day. They do actually like taking things easy during the day and you will find them more lively morning and evenings with short bursts of energy in the daytime. Your boys are doing well by taking food from you, you’ve all made an excellent start.
Try relax and enjoy your boys, they will be fine.

Thank you, I'm feeling so much more calm now after hearing from you all, it's been very helpful

 

[Free Ranger]

I'm currently trying to settle in in a trio (I hope!) who have been together for two weeks already and tonight I went flying through when I heard a sudden squeak. They were all lying in different places looking innocent. I'm saying to hubs, "Who squeaked? Are they OK? Was there a scuffle?" - it was actually the sound of him wiping the hob with a sponge. You care about your piggies and whether these are your first piggies or 14th (ish... I've lost count!) it can make you worry a bit more than necessary about their wellbeing

PS There is actually a general anxiety thread for those on the forum who battle it in everyday life Crippling anxiety although it's perhaps a good thing that no one has posted on here for a while!

 

[tillyfleurh]

I'm currently trying to settle in in a trio (I hope!) who have been together for two weeks already and tonight I went flying through when I heard a sudden squeak. They were all lying in different places looking innocent. I'm saying to hubs, "Who squeaked? Are they OK? Was there a scuffle?" - it was actually the sound of him wiping the hob with a sponge. You care about your piggies and whether these are your first piggies or 14th (ish... I've lost count!) it can make you worry a bit more than necessary about their wellbeing

PS There is actually a general anxiety thread for those on the forum who battle it in everyday life Crippling anxiety although it's perhaps a good thing that no one has posted on here for a while!

Hahah that sounds about right, I've had a couple of those moments too! I hope your trio get settles in okay And thanks for that link, I'll take a look - even if it hasn't, thankfully, had much activity recently!

 

[oliveandmabel]

Hello,
I don't usually do this kind of thing but I just feel so worried, I could use some advice! I got my two new piggies, Alfred (2yo) and Samuel (10 weeks) about a week and a half ago from a rescue. I did so much research and preparation beforehand yet I still feel so worried about my new piggies. I've only handled them very briefly 3 times so far to put them in their run so I could clean out the cage. And they are both getting noticeably better at interacting with me and my partner, sniffing and nibbling my fingers and taking food straight from my hand e.t.c. but I am worried that it seems they are both quite inactive through the day, and not that much more active through the night either. It is quite warm in my apartment, but I also live on a busy road and it can get quite loud with the window open, could this be the cause, and which should be priority, cold air and less noise? Neither of them are particularly vocal too, although over the last couple days, Alfred has started making a squeaky/chirpy sound once or twice a day (which doesn't seem like the usual happy wheek piggies make), at first I worried it was when he was peeing/pooping, but I can't see any evidence that this is the case once he has stopped and moved, and all his pees and poos seem normal. Although, one of my main worried is that I don't know what is normal for them yet! My local vets, who do deal with exotic animals, are not registering new animals at the moment, so they are not yet registered at the vets, but I have booked them on for a health check at the rescue centre next week so I can learn how to clip nails, groom and check boar's bits.
I know nobody can tell me what (if anything) is wrong with my piggies just from this, but mostly I'm just wondering if anyone else experiences this, what my boyfriend calls, irrational worry and stress over their piggies? He thinks they seems absolutely fine, happy, just new and shy. They do do the occasional popcorn which I love seeing. It feels like they've been inside their hidey huts all day for the past two day, only occasionally popping out for a drink, hay, dry food or when I bring the fresh food, which they just take back to their huts - and I feel like they weren't doing when I first brought them home. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to make them happy - but I also want to enjoy having them too and at the moment, whilst I love them very much, I feel like I just can't relax and enjoy them yet. Am I crazy?
Sorry for the rant! Appreciate any advice you have Thank you.

Welcome to owning pigs first of all!

I remember this stage, it is very scary. You have to remember that your pigs are still very new to the environment and that can be very daunting. Think of if you started a new school or job, its terrifying until you settle in. I used to constantly worry about my pigs (I still do, it just gets better over time as you learn their habits).

It's also important to note that you are still getting used to the piggies yourself, and that is also daunting. I would request a vet visit any time I noticed something even slightly different (obviously my mum thought I was going crazy) , but as I mentioned before, as you learn their habits and what's normal to them, the worrying should start to fade. Obviously if you are really concerned, please get them to a vet

I'm just now realising as I've spent 5 minutes writing this that this was posted quite a while ago so I suppose I could ask you how you're managing now? I hope your worrying has settled down and you're enjoying being a pig parent!

 

[Flutterby]

 

[tillyfleurh]

Welcome to owning pigs first of all!

I remember this stage, it is very scary. You have to remember that your pigs are still very new to the environment and that can be very daunting. Think of if you started a new school or job, its terrifying until you settle in. I used to constantly worry about my pigs (I still do, it just gets better over time as you learn their habits).

It's also important to note that you are still getting used to the piggies yourself, and that is also daunting. I would request a vet visit any time I noticed something even slightly different (obviously my mum thought I was going crazy) , but as I mentioned before, as you learn their habits and what's normal to them, the worrying should start to fade. Obviously if you are really concerned, please get them to a vet

I'm just now realising as I've spent 5 minutes writing this that this was posted quite a while ago so I suppose I could ask you how you're managing now? I hope your worrying has settled down and you're enjoying being a pig parent!

Can confirm that all my worries have dissipated! Having such a good time with my boys now, they're both so brave with us and have been doing great with lap time. Thumbs up all round I think. Thank you for your help so the same though!

 

[oliveandmabel]

Can confirm that all my worries have dissipated! Having such a good time with my boys now, they're both so brave with us and have been doing great with lap time. Thumbs up all round I think. Thank you for your help so the same though!

Glad to hear it!