New Guinea Pig Won't Eat Or Drink

[Mallory]

I brought my new guinea pig home yesterday around 6 p.m. and as far as I can tell, he hasn't touched his food or water. I'm a little concerned because it's been over 24 hours now. Every time I look in his cage he's hiding in his tunnel with his eyes wide open, really still and quiet.

He has a nice sized cage, a timothy hay tunnel, fresh bedding, food, water, fresh carrots and celery, and some chew toys. I've held him a few times since he's come home, around 30 minutes total and he's just been really still and doesn't try to get away or anything. His cage was in our living room and I thought maybe he wanted some quiet so I moved it into the bedroom.

At Petsmart, I saw him eat and drink a little. So I'm assuming he's not sick... What should I do? Should I be concerned?

 

[ayemee]

He is most like very scared still. Put the food and a bit of hay in his hidey house with him. He will feel safer to eat it in there. Then just leave him a few days to settle in.

As you go past the cage talk to him, so he gets used to your voice, and he should start to settle.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Is your guinea pig a single or has he got company of others of his kind? As guinea pigs are prey animal that live in groups, so they will feel double exposed being alone in new territory without a companion, especially as shop piggies usually have not had anything in the way of friendly human interaction.

You may find the tips in these threads here helpful:
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/companionship.37654/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/cage-size-guide.120795/
We can give you tips on where to best get and how to best introduce any companions.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

As we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details, so we can always tailor our advice and recmmendations for what is available and possible for you straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!

 

[Mallory]

Hi and welcome!

Is your guinea pig a single or has he got company of others of his kind? As guinea pigs are prey animal that live in groups, so they will feel double exposed being alone in new territory without a companion, especially as shop piggies usually have not had anything in the way of friendly human interaction.

You may find the tips in these threads here helpful:
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/companionship.37654/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-a-guide-to-successful-companionship.76162/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/cage-size-guide.120795/
We can give you tips on where to best get and how to best introduce any companions.

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

As we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details, so we can always tailor our advice and recmmendations for what is available and possible for you straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!

He is single, but he had two cage mates who were the same age at the pet store. I have been considering bringing one of them home. He has been using the restroom a lot (feces) but I haven't noticed any peeing. I don't think he's drinking. :/

 

[Wiebke]

He is single, but he had two cage mates who were the same age at the pet store. I have been considering bringing one of them home. He has been using the restroom a lot (feces) but I haven't noticed any peeing. I don't think he's drinking. :/

He will get enough fluid from his veg anyway, so please don't worry. If he wouldn;t be able to pee, he'd be looking VERY off! Drinking from a bottle is one of those things that piggies learn from their elders as they grow up. It may take a while until he gets the hang of it, but the vast majority of piggies will get the idea. if you are worried, place a drip dish filled with water which you change twice daily underneath the bottle.

If you can, please date your boy at a knowledgeable rescue for character compatibility; this minimises the risk of personality clashes or even fall-outs as he goes through the hormonal teenage months between 4-14 months of age. An rescue older boy could also help with teaching and socialising your little in all things piggy and he will also be used to handling, so you get more interaction. A piggy from any of our recommended rescues has undergone a mandatory quarantine and is guaranteed healthy. Dating at the rescue means that you come home only with a piggy that has clicked with yours at no risk to you or your boy and you will get support during the settling in period and the whole life of the rescue piggy.
We have got a recommended good standard piggy savvy UK rescue locator on the top bar, but can provide contact details for good guinea pig resces in other countries if wished. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

If that is not possible, then getting another baby would be the next best option.

 

[Mallory]

He will get enough fluid from his veg anyway, so please don't worry. If he wouldn;t be able to pee, he'd be looking VERY off! Drinking from a bottle is one of those things that piggies learn from their elders as they grow up. It may take a while until he gets the hang of it, but the vast majority of piggies will get the idea. if you are worried, place a drip dish filled with water which you change twice daily underneath the bottle.

If you can, please date your boy at a knowledgeable rescue for character compatibility; this minimises the risk of personality clashes or even fall-outs as he goes through the hormonal teenage months between 4-14 months of age. An rescue older boy could also help with teaching and socialising your little in all things piggy and he will also be used to handling, so you get more interaction. A piggy from any of our recommended rescues has undergone a mandatory quarantine and is guaranteed healthy. Dating at the rescue means that you come home only with a piggy that has clicked with yours at no risk to you or your boy and you will get support during the settling in period and the whole life of the rescue piggy.
We have got a recommended good standard piggy savvy UK rescue locator on the top bar, but can provide contact details for good guinea pig resces in other countries if wished. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

If that is not possible, then getting another baby would be the next best option.

I'm from Texas, US. I have never heard of any rescues around here, but hopefully there is one close.

I haven't noticed him touching his food yet, but he must be eating the pellets. He definitely hasn't touched the veggies though, which is why I'm afraid he's not getting fluids. Only pellets if he's even eating those. I will definitely try the bowl though.

 

[Wiebke]

I'm from Texas, US. I have never heard of any rescues around here, but hopefully there is one close.

I haven't noticed him touching his food yet, but he must be eating the pellets. He definitely hasn't touched the veggies though, which is why I'm afraid he's not getting fluids. Only pellets if he's even eating those. I will definitely try the bowl though.

There is only one, but really terrific guinea pig rescue for your whole state. If you can get there, that would be really great, but considering where you are, it could easily be too far away: http://www.theguineapigrescue.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/TexasRustlers
I don't know whether there are any rescues in surrounding states within your reach?
http://www.guinealynx.info/rescues.html (in collaboration with Guinea Lynx)