new piggies not eating

[mathilde]

hi everyone!
we adopted two baby sows today, they are a peruvian and sheba mix, called lady and junie. since we brought them home this morning, they have been very scared, hiding in the corner together under their bed, they haven’t moved at all. they have not eaten or drank anything since we picked them up (at around 9am). i’m not worried about them being scared as i know they need to settle in, but just a bit concerned about their eating. they have not pooped or peed since we got them. the lady we adopted them from said to make their cage a bit smaller with barriers to make them less overwhelmed and we have done that, and put a blanket over the cage to make it darker. they are in a quiet room with minimal noise. we haven’t handled them or disturbed them really, just left them alone. we have had lots of piggies before and none of them have been so scared should i be worried, does anyone have any advice? i’m hoping they will eat in the night when it’s dark and quiet. thank you everyone X

 

[Piggies&buns]

Congratulations on your new arrivals.

I would not make their cage smaller - they need to get used to their territory as it is

It is a good idea to cover their cage with a sheet though. They can feel scared of attacks from above if they don’t have cover.
Put hay everywhere in their cage, inside and just outside the hides as well as other areas.
They are very likely to come out and eat once it is dark

If they haven’t eaten, moved or pooped by tomorrow morning then you may need to step in but for now they probably just need time to settle

New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In

 

[Claire W]

Hello and congratulations on your new babies

Please do not make their cage smaller. Covering their cage and leaving them quiet is a good idea. Put hay everywhere in their cage. I expect they’ll come out and eat overnight when it’s dark and quiet. Just give them time to settle x

 

[mathilde]

hi, i removed the barriers from their cage and put it back to normal! fingers crossed they’ll have eaten tomorrow! X

 

[weepweeps]

Once you have gone to bed and it’s all quiet I’m sure they will venture out a bit.

Just make sure they have hay nearby, some veggies and water.

 

[Merab]

Don’t panic.
They will still be scared in their new environment.
They will eat when you’re not around until they settle.
As well as mountains of hay everywhere and a sheet or towel over part of the cage scatter some of their food around the cage so they never have to move far.

When Moses and Miriam came to me from a Rescue, they were terrified.
I barely saw them at first but I realised they were eating because the scattered food had disappeared.

Be patient with them as they settle in

 

[Wheekallweek]

They will soon settle, everything is a bit new and scary at first

 

[Claire W]

How are your girls today? x

 

[mathilde]

How are your girls today?

they are still terrified, bless them! hiding behind a hide all day and haven’t moved i think they must have had a bit of hay in the night though as there was poo in the hay box, but no veggies or pellets touched X just worried about there water intake as i don’t know if they have drunk any. i have marked where the water is now on the bottle so will check in the morning, they also have bowl. hopefully they will build up some courage soon!

 

[weepweeps]

Just make sure they have hay and water where they are choosing to hide. Did you cover one end of the cage with a blanket?

 

[mathilde]

Just make sure they have hay and water where they are choosing to hide. Did you cover one end of the cage with a blanket?

yes they have their food & water next to them and i put piles of hay in, the blanket is over the end where they are hiding under

 

[Merab]

Guinea pigs don’t always use a water bottle if they’re getting enough liquid from their veggies.
You are doing everything right so try not to stress yourself.
Their survival instincts will ensure they don’t starve.