New guineas!

S

Sarahandmolly

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 18, 2024
Messages
2
Reaction score
4
Points
75
Location
UK
Hi all,

We bought 2 new piggies on Sunday, they're VERY shy. They are eating and drinking, pooing and weeing but simply are hiding away. They are also not making any distress noises. We have heard them purr and sleep for a little while with their eyes shut. Is this normal for them? How long will it be before they feel comfortable?

Thanks :)
 
Welcome to the forum

Yes it is very normal, as prey animals everything is scary for them.

How long they take to settle isn’t possible to answer - it varies from piggy to piggy. I have four boys. Of my two oldest (6 years old), one took six weeks to settle in and take food from my hand (a sign of trust), the other took 18 months before he took food from me. The youngest two (18 months old) were friendly and taking food from me on day 1. So you see there is a huge range of ‘normal’!

Leave them to settle for a week, covering their cage with a Blanket can help them feel more secure. Then you can start to offer food from your hand - don’t expect them to take it straight away. Slow and steady and patience wins the race with piggies!

However a very important thing, particularly if they are breeder for pet shop piggies, is for you to double check their sexes and make sure they are the same. They will be scared but it’s important you check

Our guide to show you how to pick them up (and weigh them) and sexing guides are below

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/illustrated-sexing-guide-for-all-ages.156297/

I have added a link below to a collection of guides for new owners which you will find helpful. Do ask us questions as we are all happy to help

New Owners' Essential Information and Practical Tips Starter Collection
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

Ps - I have removed your postcode from your profile and changed it to UK for your own online security. Your postcode gives too many details as to your specific location so isn’t safe.
 
If they're sleeping with their eyes shut that means they're at the very least very comfortable with their environment and feel safe in it.

Each piggy is different; they have their own personalities, so, they may take a couple of weeks to get used to you or a few months and one may warm to you faster than the other but that will encourage the other to see you as a friend. BRIBERY with food is an excellent way to make friends with them. Tasty snacks hand fed to them. Mine would murder Santa Claus for some carrot or some fresh dandelion leaves.
 
Welcome to the forum. I am slave to the beastie boys, Dignified Sir George and his boisterous companion Mischievous Master Boris.
As @Minnou said, sleeping with their eyes closed is an excellent start.
Looking forward to seeing pigtures when they are feeling a bit bolder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top