New Guinea Pig Owner!

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KLY

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Hello everyone, I finally rescued 2, 3yr old female Abysinnians (spelling?) Who were in need of a home. I have done all my research beforehand however reading all about guinea pigs and learning about them does not compare to actually owning them! So let me go over a few things and ask some questions I know guinea pig experts may be able to answer for me:

Firstly I'd like to introduce Flora and Fauna! Their fluffyness and googly eyes made me fall in love with them! Flora is the tortoise one and Fauna is the gingery/brown one! Flora is definitely the boss and the least skittish out of both!

Now to the questions!

I have given them a few days in their cage to adjust to the noises and hustle and bustle of our house (they are in my room for the peace and quiet). However I was wondering when it was appropriate to let them out and have some play and lap time? I don't want to scare and startle them but when I try to pet Fauna and check their fur, nails, ears etc they seem to scurry away into their pigloo. I managed to pet Fauna when she was cuddled up against Flora and found a small lump on her back under her skin... could this be a cyst or something more sinnister?

Also Flora has pink paws but her back legs seem to be a bit pinker/redder than her paws. I managed to feel them and they feel like dog paws, a bit rough. I have heard of bumble foot but there are no ulcers present? They are in a c&c cage with corroplex for the base, puppy pads and a fleece blanket. This leads me on to my next question...

One thing.. They STINK! I change their potty every 2nd day and sweep their cage morning and night. They seem to pee in their pigloo in the corner on top of a puppy pad and I am wondering if it is the puppy pads that stink as they soak up their piddle? So what I was thinking was, if I changed the puppy pads to linoleum or a waterproof sheet and then a fleece blanket on top, will this make them smell any better. I forgot to mention that I use megazorb in their potty.

Lastly: Flora the naughty piggy she is was nipping poor Fauna's butt and trying to mount her.. is this a sign of her being in season? I know when they assert dominance they chase each other and can nip and I never broke it up but I found it awful distressing listening to Fauna wheek and shreik!

Some information will help greatly!
Thanks!

P.s. Piggies have definitely won my heart ❤

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Congrats on rehoming these cute piggies. I'm sure they'll be better off now.

There's lots of help guides on the forum for getting started but i'd suggested getting them to the vet for a check up soon, just to check all is ok.
It can take a few days, weeks or even months to settle in so you need to be patient with them, it's unlikely they'll let you touch them or pick them up for a while, unless they're very used to it already.

How big is the cage? I think it's true that smaller cages need more cleaning/smell more.
You may need to try out some different bedding and see what works for your own needs.
I have fleece liners on the correx and back to nature plus puppy pads in the litter trays

I'm not sure it's good to have fleece with a waterproof layer underneath as I think the pee would either soak into the fleece and stay wet, or just sit on the waterproof layer. It's handy to have an absorbent layer, just like the puppy pads.

It's a fab furry journey with unexpected twists and i'm still fairly new to it myself, but they are wonderful pets if you take good care of them.
 
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Hi and welcome!

Your girls are gorgeous!

I would recommend to have your girls vet checked. A good number of vets will not ask as much for a first consultation if it is in the nature of a health check. It sounds like a sebaceous cysts, which can make an appearance as piggies get older.
Piggy back feed turn red if they are warm; sore spots can manifest as a small tightly located much redder area on the foot pad. Bumblefoot is mainly a neglect issue when piggies are living in unlceaned filthy cages in their own waste or it can happen in elderly guinea pigs whose circulation is no longer working fully, so the extremities can suffer, especially if this coincides with mobitily/back leg paralysis issues. Sore spots on especially the weight bearing front feet then turn into open sores and foot is swelling up.

If the pee is very smelly, it could be a sign of a bladder infection. However, some people are much more sensitive to smells than others, so we cannot give you a clear answer to that. The puppy pads are there to soak up urine and to bind the smell to a certain extent, as should the megazorb (although personally I don't like the smell of megazorb, especially not in my living room). You could consider changing the puppy pads in their main toiletting areas daily.

Here is a list of recommended vets; see whether you can get to one of them: Guinea Pig Vet Locator
 
Thanks! Their cage is a 3x2 c&c cage, but I was planning on buying some more grids to make a 2nd level for them! I just got them on Tuesday so still trying to get everything in order!
 
Hello and welcome to you and your beauties. Well done for taking them in.
I agree with the advice given - I would get them vet checked
 
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Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

I would recommend to have your girls vet checked. A good number of vets will not ask as much for a first consultation if it is in the nature of a health check. It sounds like a sebaceous cysts, which can make an appearance as piggies get older. Piggy back feed turn red if they are warm; sore spots can manifest as a small tightly located much redder area on the foot pad. Bumblefoot is mainly a neglect issue when piggies are living in unlceaned filthy cages in their own waste or it can happen in elderly guinea pigs whose circulation is no longer working fully, so the extremities can suffer, especially if this coincides with mobitily/back leg paralysis issues.

If the pee is very smelly, it could be a sign of a bladder infection. However, some people are much more sensitive to smells than others, so we cannot give you a clear answer to that. The puppy pads are there to soak up urine and to bind the smell to a certain extent, as should the megazorb (although personally I don't like the smell of megazorb, especially not in my living room). You could consider changing the puppy pads in their main toiletting areas daily.
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I have been changing the pads everyday but I can still smell them. I think I just have a very sensitive sense of smell! They might have to move into the spare room because the smell is making me sick :( I also thought it could be related to them drinking? I have a water bottle in place but have never seen or heard them drinking from it so was thinking of changing them to a bowl? Also their pee is like a yellow/orange in colour and as a student nurse I know in humans that their urine is concentrated as they don't drink enough.. do was wondering if this could be the case for GP's too!
I will definitely have them booked into the vets next week!
 
Piggy wee tends to dry to a light orangey colour as it oxidises but if you are concerned then a health check is definitely the way to go. My understanding is that puppy pads include a pheromone which is designed to attract puppies to go on it so wondered if when it gets wet the smell gets stronger?
 
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Also I thought if I put a waterproof layer down underneath I can wipe that down everyday as i do spot clean their cage twice a day :) also i hward if you use baking soda in their potty it can rid the smell? Is this true?
 
Lady Kelly said:
Piggy wee tends to dry to a light orangey colour as it oxidises but if you are concerned then a health check is definitely the way to go. My understanding is that puppy pads include a pheromone which is designed to attract puppies to go on it so wondered if when it gets wet the smell gets stronger?
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This could be very true! I am going to exhaust all my options to ge the right bedding, even if it burn a hole in my purse!
 
To be honest I've kept piggies indoors for years and have used puppy pads for the last couple of years. I also have a very sensitive sense of smell. My experience is that the piggies only smell if they are due for a clean out and the pads need binning (done every 3 days) or there is a urinary problem (someone has an infection). The pads often look orange as the wee oxidises on them. You cannot see with the naked eye any real problem with pee (unless you can see fresh blood) so it's best to get them seen by a vet.
 
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The earliest I can get them in is next Thursday? Do you think this is too late?
 
I would book for Thursday but keep a very close eye on them and make sure you voice all your concerns to the vets so they can check them thoroughly for you. In the meantime it would be helpful to weigh them possibly daily at the same time everyday to look for any changes. Weight loss is usually the first sign of illness. Also check the back feet when you do to look for worsening scalding. Red feet are usually urine scalds from sitting in their own wee, if they have a UTI they could be leaking which could cause this too. If you notice more symptoms - hunching, fluffing up, becoming subdued, squeaking when weeing then get them to a vets asap because that will be a sign they are in pain
 
Welcome to our fantastic forum.
If you put a waterproof layer down, then fleece on top the fleece will be constantly wet then your opening up to infection.
Although we have differing views, the majority of us use fleece & a mattress protector which the face of it must be 100% cotton for maximum absorbency, cut it bigger then you want because it will shrink a little, don't put it in the tumble dryer or it will shrink a LOT.
Then fleece over the top, if you want to go this way, just put another post up, how to wick a fleece?
At 3 your piggies may need a bit more space, as that should help the pong. My neutered boy is in that size & he's only 4 months. When he's allowed with girlies the 4 of the will have a 8x2 plus a loft. Really the bigger the better.
 
:agr: My daughter has two boys - they're now about 9 months old. I made fleece liners with a waterproof bottom, mattress protector in the middle and fleece on top, although as we have extended the cage not all the liners have a waterproof base so we put puppy pads under the whole lot. Do you have a hay tray down for them to use? as this is often used as the 'toilet' and can help keep the smell mainly to one area which can be cleaned often. I have to say our cage is quite large (7 x 2 grid ground floor with a 2 x 2 loft) and I think this helps. Either that or we are so used to any odour - they live in our garden room off of the kitchen along with 2 dogs that we don't notice the smell too much. Btw they are gorgeous guineas :luv:
 
They are very cute! Try not to be too concerned about the mounting behavior or any squeals/shrieks. The squealing pig isn't being hurt, this is a way of signalling submission. The squealer is basically just saying, "Okay, you're the boss!" It sounds alarming to us, but it's a normal behavior that the guinea pigs themselves both understand.

Some pigs can get redder feet if they are standing in their urine and getting urine scald (may especially happen with elderly pigs who don't move around as much or pigs who are new and cautious, as they may not be comfortable moving out of their 'safe zone' and hence pee and keep on standing there.) However, it's also possible that her feet are simply flushed if she has been running around... pigs with pink extremities do definitely show flushing/blushing just like people with exertion or with higher temperatures. We can always tell when Sundae is warm because her ears and the soles of her feet flush!

I don't use puppy pads so can't comment there... I use a paper bedding and can spot clean areas that are wet and do a full cleaning once a week. Mine only smell a bit by cleanout day, particularly if it's humid, which seems to keep the paper bedding from drying as well. You may have to try a few bedding options to find one that works for you. As they're new to you, it might be worth getting a vet check, which could also double check their urine for infection. Sometimes a pig with a UTI will have urine that smells stronger than usual. They could also check out any lumps or bumps... cysts/abscesses/fatty lumps are all pretty common, but you'll need a vet exam to know for sure.

As for holding/making friends, guinea pigs are naturally cautious/skittish. I try to hold new pigs for a short time every day to get them used to me... I let them burrow into a blanket on my lap, which tends to make them feel more secure/safe. I also offer treats so they associate me with something they like. I have found that short sessions often with food are helpful in making friends. A lot of pigs still do not enjoy being picked up even if they are comfortable being held and do not like being patted while they are standing in the cage, so don't be discouraged if that is the case. The feeling of something coming at them from above cuts very close to their instincts as a prey animal!

Hope this helps a bit... enjoy your new piggies! I love the 'googly eye' comment... they do look like that! :) One of my previous pigs was an aby, I would like to have another one at some point in the future, right now I have a sheltie cross and a smooth haired pig!
 
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Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply to me! A little update...

Both piggies have settled in well and are getting used to having their own room (my sisters old room who is now a guest in their room ). Flora has really come out her shell and likes a good scratch behind her ears. She spreads out like a starfish when she likes a tickle but is very good at telling me when she has had enough!
Fauna is still very skittish and scared of being touched but is now eating food out our hands and will sit next to the foodbowl when it is veggie time.
As for veggie time, my god do they wheek! It's nice to have something wheek at you for something! I'm definitely a human slave to the piggies!

I tried wood shavings but didn't cope too well with it! Took me an hour to clean their cage and hoover up around the cage so have gone back to fleece! Plus the wood shavings were making me sneeze soo much just now because I'm choked with the cold so my sinuses are very sensitive!

Took both pigs to the vet last thursday and they both got the all clear. As for Faunas lump on her back, they tried draining it but nothing came out of it so the vet thinks it's maybe a blocked gland or something? I did ask if it could be cancerous but she said it was highly unlikely! She thinks it could also either be a cyst and have to keep an eye on it!

Some days can be hard when your patience is wearing thin with them hiding all the time but it ceases when I remember that they are new to the environment, new sounds and smells and understand it can take a while for them to get used to us.
I have only had them on my lap a couple times as I am not confident enough yet to pick them up when they are scrambling around :( I will keep persisting!

But all is well in the Young household! They never fail to make us laugh!

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Awww they are gorgeous. Good that they are settling in well and their vet check was all good.
 
Oh my goodness, so sweet. I love how their colours match :luv: Glad to hear they have settled in well. I know its so hard waiting and being patient! It took my two ages to warm up to me and they can still be wary of being picked up now. Its so rewarding though seeing them learn to trust you.

One good thing to do and what really helped with my two is hand feeding veggies and talking to them :nod:. They soon learn the sound of your voice and whenever I go into my room and speak they usually get all excited.

As for picking up, my two aren't very keen on it so I'm probably not the best one to ask. But what I do is pick them up when they are in a hidey or I get a little blanket and scoop them up, they seem to quite like this as I think they feel more secure as opposed to just using my hands.

Flora sounds very similar to my Rosie who loves a good nose rub and she also likes to spread her legs out and flump! Its taken a while for her to be confident enough to stay there though, so by the sounds of it your little Flora seems to quite happy. I'm sure Fauna will soon learn :wub: x
 
Awww, they are super cute! Glad they are doing well! Keep on trying to pick them up and handle them... in my experience, even a lot of pigs who are comfortable being held do not like being picked up. It cuts very close to their instincts as prey animals (in the wild, nothing picks you up because it wants to cuddle you!) Some pigs are more comfortable being held than others, so Fauna may always be a bit more skittish, but with time they will definitely come around.

A bedding option between wood chips and fleece is some sort of shredded paper bedding, like Carefresh or the one I use, which is called Fresh N' Comfy. It absorbs better, doesn't contain any aromatic oils, and has less dust than wood shavings. I've actually had small animals all my life and have progressively become more and more allergic to wood bedding, to the point that I ended up needing to wear a mask and glasses to even clean out a cage with aspen bedding, which is supposed to have less aromatic oils than soft wood. I'm okay with the paper, however. I only mention it since you were trying to decide between shavings and fleece. This is kind of a middle option for people who want a disposable bedding but aren't having luck with shavings. I tried to switch to fleece awhile back but Sundae didn't like it (she's bad with change!) and I would have to use disposable bedding in the summer anyhow, as we don't have the option to machine wash all the time at the cottage in the summer.
 
Aww what sweeties. The top one looks rather like my Jingle (on the right, next to her sister, Mistletoe);

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