New Guinea Pig Owner

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Rachel_28491

Rachel_28491

New Born Pup
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Hello!
I am new to this site and am in hope that someone will be able to answer a few questions about my New Guinea pig
My friend was going to Australia and needed someone to look after her pig for a year. I volunteered not really knowing what I was getting myself into. I extended his cage quite a bit it's now triple the size, my partner and I play with him as often as we can, but when I read up I see they should never be alone. He is three years old and quite cheeky. He nips us when we lift him and show us his teeth sometimes, we preservere anyway and hold him. He seems happy in his home which is large with plenty of toys and things to do I change it up every other day. I am just wondering would it benefit to get a new pig to join him? What age should I get if any other pigs? Giving him being 3 and very cheeky sometimes! I really do just want to do the best for him!
 
:wel: to the forum. It sounds that you are an excellent guinea pig owner .

There is lot lot of information in these threads that you will find useful ...

" Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners


Are you happy to add your location to your profile ? We have members from all over the world and it is really helpful to know whether you are based in the UK/US – or elsewhere. Having an idea of your Country + location can sometimes help us tailor our advice .



Here is a link to help you do this …



https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...cation-and-creating-an-avatar-picture.107444/


I would definitely recommend you get a companion for your Guinea Pig . Not all guinea pigs get along - especially boars . When we have an idea of your location , we will see if you have a rescue nearby who can help you find a match (this is sometimes referred to as "Boar Dating").
 
Thanks very much!
I am just very worried about him, I have a large area for him to run around in and I give him plenty of food and as much attention as I can!
But I do know companionship is best for him and I don't know where to start!
 
You could start with a rescue centre :) They usually do boar dating, so you can take him along and let him meet some possible buddies! At his age, you'd be best going with a neutered sow or a baby boar :)
 
Thanks for your reply! I don't actually think there is this service anywhere I. Northern Ireland which is a shame! Would he take to a baby Guinea pig? As he is three? I'm worried he would attack it?
 
He would see a baby as less of a threat to his dominance.

Are you anywhere near co. down Guinea Pigs

As for the biting.....

We had a biter called Vimto, she is now nearly reformed and does not always try to taste zeeee blood or zeeee flesh now... She doesn't like been herded too and will kick :))

Some piggies while fine in the cage and interacting on their terms with you but when on laps feel a little vulnerable, the nibbles are her way of telling you she does not like it. I used to get actual snaps off Vimto and she would draw blood too :(

She was just a very scared piggie and felt vulnerable on laps, she didn't appear frightened (but obviously was) but she was confident enough with me not just to freeze and squirm around and it was here way of saying 'please put me home i don't like this'. We worked at it and would take her out for 30 seconds then pop here home, we did this 3 times a week for around a month weeks, then slowly increased it up to 5 mins via 30 second increments slowly
Each lap session she'd have a sprig of coriander. It took us 6-8 months but she doesn't bite now and will happily chill on laps for a while but not for too long :)) We would never let anyone else have Vimto on there lap in case she wanted to taste the forbidden flesh once more :))

You will get there I promise it just takes a while with some of them...

What is your piggies name?

Lee
 
He's called milo! He's very cute! My friend is returning from Australia in June so I am really not sure about getting him a mate without her permission. I don't know whether he will go back to her when she gets back as we are able to provide him with much more space and attention! Derry is about 2 hours away from me!
Would to advice be to try and get him a mate?
His biting isn't really a problem it doesn't hurt I would just worry about him being agresssive towards other Guinea pigs.
I am also looking for advice if anyone would have it about the best way to cut his nails and hair, without causing him to much distress!
Thanks for your answers this forum has already been so helpful!
 
Awwww Milo, I love that name. there was a very beautiful piggy on the forum also called Milo. It is a fab name.

Maybe wait or speak to your friend, can;'t really take on a commitment for someone else to keep up if you know what I mean., perhaps get in touch with her. has Milo been on his own all his life? Some piggies are fine on their own.
Piggies biting us hoomans is no indication on how they would react with their own kind unfortunately - they view us slaves very differently to their own kind :))

Fur is an easy one, get someone to distract Milo with some food then careful trim the bum hair short this doesn't look amazing but helps stop the fur from matting with poo and wee.
Nails are more difficult and they have a quick that you need to be careful not to cut. I recommend getting some of these clippers


We use a two person technique, I hold and my wife cuts. We also feed the pig at the same time to distract
 
grrrrr link isn't working.... amazon this
Pet (Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Bird, Guinea Pig) Claw / Nail Clippers Trimmers Scissors Easy Use By AoE Performance
 
Thanks very much! I took him to the vets to get his nails cut there because we were nervous to do it! But I have those scissors!
I bought scardy cuts scissors to cut his hair and he tolerates it for a while! Does it help him to cover him in a towel when doing this?
Many thanks
 
And yeah he's been on his own since she got him from when he was a baby! But I'm worried he is depressed alone he lies down a lot in his hay bed we made him!
 
With cutting the hair always hold the fur close to the skin with your fingers then cut the ends this way you can never nic the piggy with the scissors
 
Rachel_28491 said:
And yeah he's been on his own since she got him from when he was a baby! But I'm worried he is depressed alone he lies down a lot in his hay bed we made him!
Click to expand...

Piggies and hay - where do we start? Piggies love hay. They will eat, play, sleep and anything else you want to mention in it. We wouldn't worry too much as hay is a piggies best friend and also the fact that it sounds like his hay bed is out in the open he is comfortable in his surroundings.

Lisa & Ali...
 
My piggies are often at their most contented looking when lying in their hay trays munching, peeing, pooping and sleeping....
 
lisaali said:
Piggies and hay - where do we start? Piggies love hay. They will eat, play, sleep and anything else you want to mention in it. We wouldn't worry too much as hay is a piggies best friend and also the fact that it sounds like his hay bed is out in the open he is comfortable in his surroundings.

Lisa & Ali...
Click to expand...


Thanks a million! Maybe I'm just worrying to much because everything I read says they should always be in twos! Feel much happier now!
 
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