New Piggies!

Status
Not open for further replies.
R Dorothy

R Dorothy

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
97
Reaction score
49
Points
195
Location
USA, Minnesota
So yesterday I picked up little Dahlia and Iris. I'd seen them five days prior and I am so shocked at how much bigger they got! I could hold them both in one hand but they've doubled in size since then! Yesterday they were quite scared and just sat huddled together in a corner; they wouldn't even eat or drink. Thankfully today they've relaxed enough and ate a lot. They're not really fond of being handled, but they will sit still for a little while on my lap.

My previous pig, Scuzzy, was very old when I got him so he was mellow and let me do whatever to him without a fuss (thank goodness because, as I'm sure many of you know, dealing with impaction isn't fun). This is going to be quite a new experience and I hope they start to like me a bit better soon!

004-1_zpsba8650a8.jpg
 
Awwww they are just gorgeous! How old are they?

I love the markings, particularly on the one on the left. So unusual.

Amy
x
 
What stunning girls you have! I am really pleased to see you have piggies again and are back on the forum.
 
Little cuties! How old are they? Please give them time to settle in; by the looks of it, they are some very scared babies that have just lost the protection of mummy and siblings, been placed in strange and potentially hostile surroundings (don't forget that piggies are prey animals) and generally have had their world turned upside down.

Trust will come in time, as will learning how to be a happy pet.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?36239-FAQ-How-do-I-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs
 
Last edited:
Awwww little stunners x) x) Look at that front paw!
 
I'm not too happy that the owners of their momma didn't seem to keep track of how exactly many weeks they are, but they're more than three; that I know for sure.

I really need to read more tips about handling new piggies. I was able to get them out of the cage before, but today they got so stressed by my presence they took it out on each other; I'm just glad once I broke it up and got out of their eyesight they calmed down. I got them out early this morning to change the cage but I guess a second time was too much. Dahlia even popcorned because she was so happy with the fresh cage and food and I ruined it.
 
As they are babies it will take them time to get used to you but you are doing the right thing by holding them and getting them used to you. I know Scuzzy was very tame but that is unusual with piggies. You are doing well so do not worry.
 
I have added a link with tips on how to deal with skittish piggies in my last post. You may hopefully find it useful. The key is patience and persistence. Your little girls will come round eventually; it is a very slow, gradual process if their mum isn't a confident pet and they haven't had much in the way of human interaction.
Here is the link again: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?36239-FAQ-How-do-I-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs

Just talk to them softly and often as soon as you come into the room and keep up your chatter - predators you can hear, are not hunting. Don't hover over them if you can help it.
Leave little treats close to where they are so they learn to assoicate you with food and nice things, and give them a shelter, even if it is just a towel draped over the edge, or a cardboard box. Be patient. I prefer not to handle my piggies until they have become more comfy about my presence, but if you really wish to, you can handle them daily as part of their regular routine.

On a less savoury note: Have they been separated from their brothers when the boys reached 3 weeks? Girls can become pregnant from about 4 weeks onwards. The earliest documented sibling pregnancy is 24 days old.
 
Wiebke said:
On a less savoury note: Have they been separated from their brothers when the boys reached 3 weeks? Girls can become pregnant from about 4 weeks onwards. The earliest documented sibling pregnancy is 24 days old.
Click to expand...

I am a little worried about that. I sexed them and found there was one little boy in the litter and asked them to please put him in a different cage so I hope I wasn't too late.

I'm leaving them alone for right now and I'll just take it nice and slow; I'm still far too used to Scuzzy. What's weird is that Dahlia seems to be associating my hand with food, so when I give them things she will actually stand up and place her paws on my arm while she sniffs me. Maybe I need to try that towel technique later when trying to pick them up.

I have the next five days in a row off from work so I really hope I can make a bit more progress with them.
 
For her to put her hands on your arm is amazing! She is not shy then. Even mine will not do that
 
Best of luck and fingers firmly crossed! I am sure that they will come round quickly if they already touch you! You will hopefully catch them exploring the cage and later popcorning when you are hiding behind the door soon! Praise them lavishly for every little success; piggies love that as much as dogs! ;)

PS: Please post in our pregnancy section for our information pack and support if you notice a weekly increasing (as opposed to steady) weight gain and an increasing thirst in about 4-6 weeks' time. Until then you won't see anything.
 
Last edited:
Aww they're beautiful! The face of thr one on the left reminds me of Shy one of my girls, and the face of the one on the right reminds me of Pablo one of my boys. They will tame up in no time at all :) I hope they have long, happy and healthy lives x
 
I only did this because I had a good feeling; I am not intentionally trying to stress my pigs out.

I walked by the cage and they were sitting together calmly as could be in front of the cage door. I opened it and they allowed me to pet them both; they didn't move an inch. I picked them up and we all had cuddles on the couch. Dahlia stretched out and went to sleep for a little bit and Iris just sat there.

I think I was really stupid in doing too much too soon; I should've just let them chill out after the cage cleaning for awhile.
 
Looks like they are coming along well. The temptation to do too much too quickly is always very great with such adorable pets!
 
Sounds like they are settling in well. I remember when we got little Basil to be a friend to Buddy it was so tempting to just pick him up like the others but I made sure he was kept quiet for a day and then everyone was normal around them after that. Poor Buddy was confused by us not getting him out as much while his new friend settled in but now they are so happy. Be sure to be normal (maybe a little slower moving and quieter at first) but normal round them because otherwise it comes as a bit of a shock when you do behave normally in the future. Piggies are great at adapting and taming them is so rewarding. It just takes time and patience.

Fingers crossed they aren't pregnant

Amy
x
 
LOL! They sure learn the names of food quickly! "Who wants carrots?" cue the sounds of two incredibly loud sets of "wheeks"!

Also, for those of you who have pairs, do you have it where one sister cares about the other a bit more than the other? By that I mean if I pick up Iris first and have her out before Dahlia Iris freaks out and starts crying for her. However, if I do it the other way around, Dahlia is fine if she can't see her sister.
 
They are gorgeous and it sounds like they are coming along well. :) My Hamish always squeaks loudly for Dougal if Dougal is having a cuddle. :))
 
R Dorothy said:
LOL! They sure learn the names of food quickly! "Who wants carrots?" cue the sounds of two incredibly loud sets of "wheeks"!

Also, for those of you who have pairs, do you have it where one sister cares about the other a bit more than the other? By that I mean if I pick up Iris first and have her out before Dahlia Iris freaks out and starts crying for her. However, if I do it the other way around, Dahlia is fine if she can't see her sister.
Click to expand...

When I had sisters, AMelia Jane would wheek her head off if Peronel was not with her. I used to hold them both together as she hated to be on her own. This is normal. I do not think you did the wrong thing by holding them. The sooner you do it the sooner they will get used to you.
 
Dahlia doesn't really like to sit with me for long, but Iris is now my little snuggle buddy! She's reminding so much of Scuzzy due to the fact she likes the same spot on me that he did.

Also, and this is going to sound so immature, but I love Iris's little butt crack on her fur!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top