New owner. Lots of silly questions :-)

[sc00t]

Hi,

I just got my very first pig - Pirate. He's cute as a button but very shy. He spends a lot of his time in his bed area where nobody can see him. Is that normal? I presume he'll come around eventually!

I have a nero cage and he lives in my bedroom by himself, though I'm home every day apart from about 8 hours throughout the week, so I don't think he'll be too lonely.

Is a Guinea Pig OK on their own? I know they're social animals, but if I spend most of my day with him (as I do) will he be ok? If not, how do I now introduce a 2nd pig?

How many veggies should I feed my piggie? Should he have lots each day or should he eat mainly nuggets?

Also, do they have a habit of chewing wires? I want to let him out during the day but I'm worried he'll chew wires and hurt himself.

Any other tips and answers to all these silly questions would be much appreciated.

-sc00t

 

[Tracyxx]

Hello and congratulations on getting your first pig! I'm glad to be able to answer your questions for you. I have 25 pigs myself, and number 26 will be coming at the weekend.

Yes, it's normal for pigs to be shy, especially babies, or those that haven't had much handling. There are lots of different things you can do to help him get used to you, but the main thing is that you spend as much time with him as possible. Guinea pigs aren't hard to tame and providing that you handle him little and often, and talk to him in a calm and reassuring voice, he'll soon come around. You've done the right thing by giving him a seperate sleeping area too, as I think all pigs should have a "bolt hole" where they can go if they feel threatened.

The Nero cage should be fine, and he'll do wonderfully in your bedroom providing that he's not near any draughts/radiators, or in direct sunlight.

I would say that you need to look at getting a second guinea pig, as they are very sociable animals. Even my single boars are in a position where they can see, smell and talk to all of my other guinea pigs. Is Pirate a little boy, and how old is he? Those factors will determine what sort of second pig you might want to get. If he's old enough (but not too old!) you could think about getting him neutered, at a reputable vet. Then, when the vet says he's clear, you could put him with a female, or a pair of females. Or you could perhaps look at getting another boar to go with him. But I only have older, aggressive boars here at my house who won't be bonded so I'll leave it to someone else to give you tips about bonding two boars together!


Your guinea pig's diet should include fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh hay and his dried food (mix or nugget/pellet). What pellet do you use? If he's a young man keep his dish topped up, but if he's an older fella, a dish full of pellets each day is more than enough. You need to give unlimited hay, and keep this topped up permanently. You can give half a mug/cup of veggies each day. These can include carrots, spinach, broccoli, celery, lettuce, tomato, apple, pear, sprouts, mango..etc! The list goes on. There are some lists on this forum that will help you to decide what veggies and fruit to give to Pirate. Don't give exessive amounts though, else he may end up with an upset tummy.

Yes, guinea pigs will chew. If you want to loose him out during the day you need to make sure he's in an area that's free of hazards. Look at getting an indoor run or pen for him, but I wouldn't reccomend leaving him in his run during the day if you're out.

Hope this helps

 

[Niki]

Firstly welcome to the forum

Piggies are by nature prey animals & do hide until you gain their confidence & then they can still run away

How old is your piggy? What size Nero cage is he in?

Piggies are social animals & there are some who will not tolerate other piggies at all & in these instances are kept as singletons & whilst he has your company for some of the time a piggy friend would be more beneficial.

He should have nuggets daily & unlimited hay. Everyone feeds veggies differently; i feed a variety once a day at tea-time. If he's a baby introduce small amounts - have a look here at the piggy shopping list
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=42

Yes they can chew wires so if you were wanting him to free-range you would have to piggy-proof your room or you could buy a play pen for him to run around in or could make your own like this one http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=29030&highlight=alternative+run

Depending on how old your piggy is depends on what the best age for a friend would be but bonding is done in a neutral space with food, hay & veggies to distract them, however, if you were to take your boy along to a rescue to choose a friend himself the rescue would most likely bond for you

ETA I was obviously typing the same time as Tracy

 

[Tracyxx]

Great minds eh Niki |)

 

[Niki]

Great minds eh Niki |)

Yes

 

[sc00t]

Can't remember which Nero cage it was, but I know it cost around £49 or so.

I use Pets at Home's own brand Guinea Pig Nuggets.

He's just come from the store, and the lady at Pets at Home didn't tell me how hold he is. I presume he's very young as he's only small. I don't mind getting him neutered and getting him a friend if he needs one, though my mother may need some convinving. Ha.

I think a rescue place would be good. I didn't realise they had rescue guinea's or I would have got my 1st one from there instead! Oh well.

You guys sure like your cooling racks! haha. I think I'll get some and make little Pirate a run for the living room.

Thanks to both of you for your help.

-sc00t

 

[Tracyxx]

How small is he exactly? Can you post a picture? You won't be able to get him neutered for a while if he's very young. So many people don't realise you can rescue pigs, but at least you do now so perhaps you can rescue your second one. The PatH nuggets are very good I have to say. What part of the country are you in?

 

[sc00t]

I'm in Wigan. Here are a few pics of lil Pirate:

 

[Tracyxx]

Oh, he's lovely. He doesn't look too small, I'd say he's about 3 months old. A nice sized pig, and he's a Tortoishell and White, if you wanted to know. So it looks like your options will either be to have another boar, or to wait and get him neutered then pair him with a female. I'm not sure if your cage is big enough for two - was it from PatH too?

 

[Niki]

He's lovely x) Your cage looks like a Nero 2 in which case too small for 2 piggies & not really big enough for Pirate when he grows up Or it could be a Nero 3 which would be big enough for Pirate & the minimum size for 2


However, if you were to get him a piggy pal you could look for a bigger cage on ebay or you could make a c & c cage if you have the space www.cavycages.com

 

[Sue G]

He's adorable, really lovely.

I don't think I can add to what everyone else has said, just that your questions aren't silly - this is a great Forum with people willing to share information and give you advice, and the more you ask, the more you will learn.

 

[gp lover]

Hi,

I just got my very first pig - Pirate. He's cute as a button but very shy. He spends a lot of his time in his bed area where nobody can see him. Is that normal? I presume he'll come around eventually!

I have a nero cage and he lives in my bedroom by himself, though I'm home every day apart from about 8 hours throughout the week, so I don't think he'll be too lonely.

Is a Guinea Pig OK on their own? I know they're social animals, but if I spend most of my day with him (as I do) will he be ok? If not, how do I now introduce a 2nd pig?

How many veggies should I feed my piggie? Should he have lots each day or should he eat mainly nuggets?

Also, do they have a habit of chewing wires? I want to let him out during the day but I'm worried he'll chew wires and hurt himself.

Any other tips and answers to all these silly questions would be much appreciated.

-sc00t

First of welcome to you and your new piggie!
It is normal for them to spend time hidding away from you at first, they need some time to warm up to you. (Mine did)
It is preffered to have him with a friend for those few hours you ARE away, and this way he can relate to someone else of his kind. If you are going to get a second guinea piggie, then make sure you introduce them within time and you just don't put them together right away.
My piggies have a mix or pellets, veggies, fruits and ofcourse their hay. I give them a handful of veggies in the mornings and sometimes at night, fruits every two days or so depending on what I give them. Pellets and hay are unlimited.
They do have a tendancy to chew on anything and everthing. Its best to keep something that they can chew on for example toilet paper roll with hay inside. This also makes a good toy. They probably will chew on your wires, so when on floor time you might want to keep an eye on him (them).
If I am wrong on anything that I have mentioned, please feel free to correct me. Its in the best interest of the Piggies.
Hope this was helpful.

 

[sc00t]

Thanks everyone. Yes, the cage was from PatH. They didn't say it wouldn't be big enough for him when he's older, which is quite annoying. Not to worry, though. I'll get something bigger for him when the time comes.

I'll definately look in to rehoming a second Guinea Pig and try to get Pirate his Ninja friend introduced and put together in the near future.

-sc00t

 

[fi.cantillon]

Thanks everyone. Yes, the cage was from PatH. They didn't say it wouldn't be big enough for him when he's older, which is quite annoying. Not to worry, though. I'll get something bigger for him when the time comes.

I'll definately look in to rehoming a second Guinea Pig and try to get Pirate his Ninja friend introduced and put together in the near future.

-sc00t

May I congratulate you on becoming a piggie mum. I warn you though it is very addictive .

Unfortunately P@H are very rubbish with providing the right advice on guinea pigs and suitable housing. The minimum space that 2 piggies need to live in is 8.5 squared feet. This can be achieved over multiple levels so dont panic about finding space in your bedroom.

Lots of members on here use the C&C grids and get very creative with them.

By the way just to reiterate what Sue has already said. NO question is silly. It is how we all learn.

 

[Hels]

Welcome to the forum from one Wiganer to another.

Helen.
x

 

[sally]

hello and welcome to the forum

 

[nutmeg]

Hi and welcome to the forum. There are a number of rescue boys near to you that may be good pals for pirate. Check out the sokel gpf website. Also look on our rescue thread, we have a number of great boys there too. As others have said though, your piggy will grow out of that cage very quickly, maybe you could start checking out e bay and other websites for a Nero 4. Good luck. x

 

[madmush]

Hello! How is your young man now? Is he settling in now?

I agree with everything above. I would say definately get a second pig. I got my first pit from a pet shop (over 10 years ago now....) & they didn't tell me to get a second pig either. pow-pow A friend told me & it was the best thing I ever did for him. Corran was so quiet & subdued when I got him, but as soon as Tycho came along he became a different piggy. x) He was chatty, busy (mostly chasing Tycho), more active & happier. Having 2 pigs isn't much more work than 1 - less in some ways as they entertain themselves (& you without them realising it!|)|)|)) Plus it doesn't cost much more either. But watching your piggy become happier is (as the advert says) priceless.

Hugs & squeaks from my manly quintet - Jerry, Legolas, Pippin, Billy & Bobby - to your young man!

Michele
xxxxx

PS/ totally agree with everyone - your questions aren't silly. I only wished I had access to a site like this when I was new to guineas. Everyone here is so welcoming & helpful & more often than not there is someone who might know the answer to a question, no matter how 'silly' it seems to you. I have even posted questions a few times & it has been helpful & reassuring (and I have had piggies for over 10 years, as well as piggies with various medical & other problems). The site is always here & if in doubt - ask or read another thread!!