New Owner -- I need your help!

[Alexandra]

I recently decided to get a guinea pig as a gift for my sister. We thought that our guinea pig was a male, but we found out that "Caesar" is, in fact, a female. I noticed that when I took Caesar out, she was squeaking a lot, so I figured she was looking for other guineas or members of her "herd". I decided to get another guinea, Cornelia, and we introduced them to each other outside of the cage. The immediately got along, or so I assumed by their interactions, and went to stand and lie down next to each other.

When I put them in the cage together Cornelia went to "steal" Caesar's house and would kick Caesar out. There was a lot of chasing and bedding flying, but they didn't appear to be biting. We modified the house so that it had two different rooms for them to stay in. It seemed to fix the problem.

They seem to get along better now, and they don't seem to get into many tifts about who gets which room in the house. Sometimes at night they chase each other, but neither guinea has any signs of bites, scratches, or harm. Is this okay and normal? Is it okay that they are almost the same size? Caesar is a big larger, but I was told at the pet store to house guineas of the same size, which doesn't seem to be the case according to many sites that I've read up on.


Secondly, when I brought home Cornelia I noticed that her belly/butt was larger than Caesar's. I don't know if the specific breed of guinea pig makes a difference in the build or not, but I thought that she might be pregnant. She gets irritated if you touch her belly, but she doesn't bite -- just kicks a bit. I noticed that when she was first introduced to Caesar, that Caesar would smell her belly very often. I related that to when a dog smells a woman's belly when she is pregnant. I think it would be best to take a picture to show everyone her size. She is still young and fairly small. We've had her for just two or three weeks and Caesar for about a month. Cornelia drinks a lot of water, which I've read is a sign of pregnancy, but I am not experienced enough to know.


Lastly, I know I haven't had my guinea pigs for very long, but how long does it normally take for them to bond with you? They let me pet them and feed them, but they get scared when we go to pick them up and don't seem very excited to see us. I don't expect a bond overnight, but I was curious. Should I see something after a month? Six months? A year?


Anyway, thanks for reading my *long* post. I hope to get some advice! Thanks again!

 

[bevs]

Well it definately shouldn't take a year once they get used to you and know you're the bringer of tasty veggies they'll soon be squeeking when ever they see you As for your other questions I only have boys so can't help you much there!

Welcome to the forum

Bev x x

 

[kayjay]

When I got Lottie and Grace, Lottie was a right diva, blocking the entrance to the pigloo and the ramps, and not letting Grace eat or anything. Once it was established that Lottie was 'boss' a truce was made and now they live happily together. It's early days. As for if she's pregnant, it's certainly possible if she came from a petshop and drinking more is a symptom. They do get huge when about to have the babies, so you'd know by then. Good luck!

 

[kellyandpiggies]

Sometimes at night they chase each other, but neither guinea has any signs of bites, scratches, or harm. Is this okay and normal?

My lot do this and are often playing or just asserting dominance - trying to work out which one is the boss

Is it okay that they are almost the same size? Caesar is a big larger, but I was told at the pet store to house guineas of the same size, which doesn't seem to be the case according to many sites that I've read up on.

I've never heard of that making a difference. All of my girls are different shapes and sizes - nothing ever making a noticeable difference

Secondly, when I brought home Cornelia I noticed that her belly/butt was larger than Caesar's. I don't know if the specific breed of guinea pig makes a difference in the build or not, but I thought that she might be pregnant. She gets irritated if you touch her belly, but she doesn't bite -- just kicks a bit. I noticed that when she was first introduced to Caesar, that Caesar would smell her belly very often. I related that to when a dog smells a woman's belly when she is pregnant. I think it would be best to take a picture to show everyone her size. She is still young and fairly small. We've had her for just two or three weeks and Caesar for about a month. Cornelia drinks a lot of water, which I've read is a sign of pregnancy, but I am not experienced enough to know.

Hard to say whether or not she is pregnant. Again my girls are of different shapes and sizes

Lastly, I know I haven't had my guinea pigs for very long, but how long does it normally take for them to bond with you? They let me pet them and feed them, but they get scared when we go to pick them up and don't seem very excited to see us. I don't expect a bond overnight, but I was curious. Should I see something after a month? Six months? A year?

Takes time to get them used to you, may take a week, possibly a month, but will all be worth it in the end Take them out often, get them used to your voice and to hand feed fruit/veggies

 

[Beaney]

When I put them in the cage together Cornelia went to "steal" Caesar's house and would kick Caesar out. There was a lot of chasing and bedding flying, but they didn't appear to be biting. We modified the house so that it had two different rooms for them to stay in. It seemed to fix the problem.

Mine quite often do this - who ever gets there first gets the best house. If there is no agression then don't worry. You have done the best thing by making sure they have a house each.

They seem to get along better now, and they don't seem to get into many tifts about who gets which room in the house. Sometimes at night they chase each other, but neither guinea has any signs of bites, scratches, or harm. Is this okay and normal? Is it okay that they are almost the same size? Caesar is a big larger, but I was told at the pet store to house guineas of the same size, which doesn't seem to be the case according to many sites that I've read up on.

Never heard of this - all 4 of my girls are different sizes and 2 who live together are definatly a case of little and large and it causes no problems. In fact in this case it is the smaller one who is dominant!

Lastly, I know I haven't had my guinea pigs for very long, but how long does it normally take for them to bond with you? They let me pet them and feed them, but they get scared when we go to pick them up and don't seem very excited to see us. I don't expect a bond overnight, but I was curious. Should I see something after a month? Six months? A year?

Patience is the key with guinea pigs - it can take a bit of time but they will soon love you! Unlikely to take year though!