New owner looking for constructive criticism

[Jumanji03]

Hi all,
I'm a new guinea pig owner to a beautiful boy called Jumanji. He’s been an amazing addition I just wanted some constructive criticism in what I could do better for him. At the moment he is alone as the petsathome I bought him from had to isolate him whilst he had an eye infection and his brothers had gotten sold so I decided to take him home with him. I am planning to get him a friend. He is about 10 weeks old and he has an enclosure in my room which is quite large. I feed him a mixture of timothy/meadow, nuggets the petsathome brand which he is used to and quite likes. His droppings come out normal and no abnormalities. He is quite used to me now and comes out of hiding when I feed him treats (pea flakes and forage). However when I hold him he does like to hide under the bend of my arm doesnt squirm much and purrs when I stroke him. I would like to know tell tale signs of if he enjoys it or hates it. So far my main priority is getting him a friend quite soon.

 

[Free Ranger]

Well he's a beauty and you are doing the best thing trying to find him a friend. Have a read of some of the guides linked on the green bar above for new owners - there are ones especially for diet, cage space and boars! The boys have bags of personality! If they get along as babies it doesn't mean that they won't fall out as teenagers so there's no advantage to getting 'brothers' as a rule. Have a look at the rescue locator list as there might be one near you that does 'boar dating' where they are introduced to another pig to see if they might get along.

You are doing well keeping an eye on his poop which is a great way to check he is eating well. My boar George (on the left) is shy and is only comfortable on my lap if he is covered over and hiding so we might use a 'snuggle sack' or a bit of fleece from our cage, or even a folded towel... I put him on and then just drape a bit over so he doesn't feel exposed. He likes a warm bare arm to snuggle with

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,
I'm a new guinea pig owner to a beautiful boy called Jumanji. He’s been an amazing addition I just wanted some constructive criticism in what I could do better for him. At the moment he is alone as the petsathome I bought him from had to isolate him whilst he had an eye infection and his brothers had gotten sold so I decided to take him home with him. I am planning to get him a friend. He is about 10 weeks old and he has an enclosure in my room which is quite large. I feed him a mixture of timothy/meadow, nuggets the petsathome brand which he is used to and quite likes. His droppings come out normal and no abnormalities. He is quite used to me now and comes out of hiding when I feed him treats (pea flakes and forage). However when I hold him he does like to hide under the bend of my arm doesnt squirm much and purrs when I stroke him. I would like to know tell tale signs of if he enjoys it or hates it. So far my main priority is getting him a friend quite soon.

Hi and welcome

What a little cutie!

It is great that you are asking for advice and help.

Please consider rescue dating at a good welfare standard rescue if that is an option for you. It is by far the safest place to get piggies from. Mutual liking/character compatilibility and an age difference between your boars are all factors that will help to strengthen and stabilise a bond during the tricky teenage months.
Rescues, Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

Here is our piggy whispering guide; it helps you invite your little boy into the herd you are leading and gives him not only a vital group identity but you can assure him and communicate important concepts in his own language without having to wait until he has figured out humans. You can also learn about how prey animal instincts work and learn to spot key social interactive behaviours.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Our comprehensive diet guide, which looks at all food groups in practical detail (with a sample diet picture): Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

You may find our comprehensive New Owners information collection very helpful. I covers all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about in practical and precise detail (as it is often the small things that can throw a new owner). We have a full chapter on human-cavy interaction, unterstanding behaviour, housing, diet (as a whole and with each food group looked at in detail) and daily care (including a comprehensive hot weather guide to save piggy lives); safe and unsafe enrichment; learning what is normal and not; life-long health monitoring and spotting early signs of illness. It also contains information on emergency and illness support care during vet treatment, vet access as well as information on guinea pigs as a species. The guide links above are all part of it but the guide contains a LOT more practical advice and tips on all sorts of issues that will help to get and keep you on a good path.
You may want to bookmark the link, browse, read and re-read at need: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. He’s lovely. Hope he finds a friend soon.

 

[HeatherW]

Welcome! Your piglet is gorgeous! Based on what you've said, he's probably just a little scared and feels vulnerable, so he tries to hide to make himself feel safer. When I had nervous pigs, I'd always sit with them in a blanket, so they felt more secure.

Good luck finding him a friend! I'd definitely advise contacting one of the recommended rescues rather than going back to P@H if you can.

 

[Jumanji03]

Thank you to everyone who has responded! It’s great that I found this forum I will definitely check all the links out