New To Guinea Pigs, Help!

Sarah0555

Sarah0555

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hey everyone.

I got 2 male guinea pigs yesterday afternoon and wondered of people's experiences with new pigs being hesitant in their new home. I have never owned guinea pigs before but haven read a lot i realise you need to leave them to it for the first few days.

My only worry and query is that they don't seem to be touching the gay and/or food pellets, which are both on a higher level. I also don't see the water going down. They are eating there veg ok but only when we are out. We haven't seen them at all walking about their cage and are always in hide mode when we are there. And wondered if this is normal?

Also they are about 12-14weeks. And wondered what veggies people are typically giving them? So far ive been giving Them romaine lettice, green pepper, (tiny bit of cucumber as i know there isnt much to it) but lacking imagination

Thanks in advance
 
Do you know if they had water bottles in the pet store? When I first go my little dalmation, I didn't see the water go down for about 4 days. It worried me, so I consulted the internet. I read I could give him vegetables with lots of moisture, like tomatoes or watermelon in moderation if he was dehydrated. I gave him a some watermelon (not much, because it's really sugary), but I don't know if it helped. I also gave him a water bowl that he ended up knocking over.:( It all worked out in the end when he figured out how to use it. You can try a water bowl for now, but they are so inconvienient. The food situation doesn't worry me very much. They'll eat when they're hungry. If they continue to stay in the house all day, put them on the grass in a pen or on the ground for floor time.
 
Thanks for this! Appreciated.

They are already getting better with eating etc.and yes they had a water bottle where i got them, one of them now is drinking alot from it but the other i haven't seen touching it.

I really want to let them out the cage but whenever i go to the cage to clean and put food in they go to their hide and I'm unsure how to get them onto the floor with out stressing them? Or will i just do it.

Thanks
Sarah

Gia said:
Do you know if they had water bottles in the pet store? When I first go my little dalmation, I didn't see the water go down for about 4 days. It worried me, so I consulted the internet. I read I could give him vegetables with lots of moisture, like tomatoes or watermelon in moderation if he was dehydrated. I gave him a some watermelon (not much, because it's really sugary), but I don't know if it helped. I also gave him a water bowl that he ended up knocking over.:( It all worked out in the end when he figured out how to use it. You can try a water bowl for now, but they are so inconvienient. The food situation doesn't worry me very much. They'll eat when they're hungry. If they continue to stay in the house all day, put them on the grass in a pen or on the ground for floor time.
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Hi, you've had some good links passed on already so I won't send those again....

Some piggies struggle with split level cages and ramps so make sure you have food and water on both levels at least til they get the hang of the ramp etc. Don't worry too much about drinking if you are giving them some lettuce etc. Some pigs drink more than others. I have one who virtually never drinks, he knows how to but just doesn't but he is absolutely fine, I just need to make sure he gets enough things like lettuce and cucumber especially when it's hot.

In terms of getting to settle them with your presence, keep walking through past them so they get used to it and all the normal noises of the house but also just spend some time sat by the cage and talking to them gently so they get used to your voice and smell near them. Then you can progress to tempting them to come closer to you with veg in your hands. You pigs are naturally skittish and take time to calm down so don't worry if it seems to take forever, patience is key. Just one of the reasons older piggies can be easier for new owners or kids as they are more settled and often easier to handle but they will get there with time and patience.

Enjoy the baby stage as they will grow up fast!
 
Yeah i have put the pellets on lower level and the one of the hay piles on the edge of the second level so they can gradually try and get up there.

Thank you for the advice it's really helpful and I realise I need to give them time just feel bad for them not having floor time yet but as you said i will try and get them to eventually take food out my hand and hopefully that works as Currently they just go hide when I'm near the cage. Once there ok with that i will give them floor time.

Thanks again.

MerryPip said:
Hi, you've had some good links passed on already so I won't send those again....

Some piggies struggle with split level cages and ramps so make sure you have food and water on both levels at least til they get the hang of the ramp etc. Don't worry too much about drinking if you are giving them some lettuce etc. Some pigs drink more than others. I have one who virtually never drinks, he knows how to but just doesn't but he is absolutely fine, I just need to make sure he gets enough things like lettuce and cucumber especially when it's hot.

In terms of getting to settle them with your presence, keep walking through past them so they get used to it and all the normal noises of the house but also just spend some time sat by the cage and talking to them gently so they get used to your voice and smell near them. Then you can progress to tempting them to come closer to you with veg in your hands. You pigs are naturally skittish and take time to calm down so don't worry if it seems to take forever, patience is key. Just one of the reasons older piggies can be easier for new owners or kids as they are more settled and often easier to handle but they will get there with time and patience.

Enjoy the baby stage as they will grow up fast!
Click to expand...
 
Sarah0555 said:
Yeah i have put the pellets on lower level and the one of the hay piles on the edge of the second level so they can gradually try and get up there.

Thank you for the advice it's really helpful and I realise I need to give them time just feel bad for them not having floor time yet but as you said i will try and get them to eventually take food out my hand and hopefully that works as Currently they just go hide when I'm near the cage. Once there ok with that i will give them floor time.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
As long as their cage is big enough don't panic about floortime. Some pigs love it, some hate it so don't worry and just take your time and get to know them :)
 
I've had two of my pigs for almost two years now and they are still nervous around me. They stress out and hate it when I go to pick them up, but love floor time and time on the grass is their absolute favorite. I will also play my radio or some music while I'm hanging out in my room to get them used to sounds. I didn't have very much knowledge about guinea pigs when I got my first pair, which I really regret, but I didn't leave them alone for no more than 2 days. I always take all three of my boys out individually on a daily basis. Whether I'm doing my homework or watching a movie, I always make time to bond with my pigs. I let them have floor time about every three days, and they go on the grass on the weekends if the weather is nice. I will also hand feed veggies and make them come to me to get them. As time goes on, you'll get more and more knowlegable. When I was first started out, youtube was my best friend. I hope this helps!

Good Luck and Best Wishes!
Gia xoxo
 
Hi. Don't worry, when I got my pigs, they didn't move for 3 hours straight and it took me around 3 months to tame them. As for food, I wouldn't feed romaine, as it has high levels of calcium. Green and red leaf lettuce is much better. I feed my pigs bell pepper, raddicio, lettuce,carrot and fennel on a daily basis. For a full list of guinea-safe veggies, check guinealynx. My pigs get around 300 grams of veg daily, but they are on a pellet free diet as I can't get my hands on good pellets. I hope I helped:)
 
It can take a bit of time for them to get friendly but the trick is always food. I hand feed my boys every morning and evening and they are now very friendly but still hate being picked up....s strange little dudes lol
 
2 fluffy boars said:
Hi. Don't worry, when I got my pigs, they didn't move for 3 hours straight and it took me around 3 months to tame them. As for food, I wouldn't feed romaine, as it has high levels of calcium. Green and red leaf lettuce is much better. I feed my pigs bell pepper, raddicio, lettuce,carrot and fennel on a daily basis. For a full list of guinea-safe veggies, check guinealynx. My pigs get around 300 grams of veg daily, but they are on a pellet free diet as I can't get my hands on good pellets. I hope I helped:)
Click to expand...

Hi thanks for this
Yeah they still wont take food from me but being patient!
Thanks for the romaine tip, i will lower this! I find it hard to buy stuff and use it all before going off so have been giving them small amounts of the romaine to use it up but will reduce this now, thanks for the other food tips too.
 
Reenie said:
It can take a bit of time for them to get friendly but the trick is always food. I hand feed my boys every morning and evening and they are now very friendly but still hate being picked up....s strange little dudes lol
Click to expand...
Yeah thanks! Its been almost 3 weeks and one of them nearly took food from me. I will keep trying!
 
I feed my boys tomatoes, lettuce, kale, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, beets, radishes, apple, basil, cilantro, lemon balm, sage, marjoram, and some other wild plants.
 
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