Hi I have two piggy’s, they are 10 weeks old and I have notice one is not letting the other one eat can anyone give me some advice. Should I put two salad bowls out for them so peanut isn’t chasing jellybean.
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KHBz
Teenage Guinea Pig
Hello and welcome. The general advice is to put in 2 of everything for 2 piggies - so, yes, 2 bowls as well as 2 water bottles. I am sure those with extensive experience will come and advise further
Welcome to the forum
Hay is the biggest part of their diet And contributes 80% of their daily food intake. Veg and pellets are merely snacks only making 20%.
To ensure each guinea pig is eating enough hay, then you need to weigh them as routine every week. When you have concerns about them such as appearing unwell or you are concerned about food (hay) intake, then you switch to daily weight checks.
Always ensure hay is available in multiple places around the cage. It can also help to scatter feed veg and pellets around the rather than using bowls at all, as that way the dominant piggy cannot hog food But foraging for food is an excellent form of enrichment.
Also ensuring the cage is big enough for your piggies - if you have two sows, then a cage of 150x60cm Is recommended. If you have two boars, then the cage needs to be bigger - 180x60cm is recommended. Lack of space can cause a problem in a bond As tensions will rise due to not being able to get far away enough from each other
You need to ensure the piggy you are concerned about is putting on weight by eating enough hay, so do switch to daily weight checks.
If one piggy is definitely not being allowed to eat at all, and starts to lose weight then that can be indicative of bullying and a dysfunctional relationship. This would mean they would be unlikely to be able to continue living together.
I’ll add some guides below for further information. I’ve added both the boar and sow guides as your post doesnt spe ift which sex your piggies are.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Bonds In Trouble
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Hay is the biggest part of their diet And contributes 80% of their daily food intake. Veg and pellets are merely snacks only making 20%.
To ensure each guinea pig is eating enough hay, then you need to weigh them as routine every week. When you have concerns about them such as appearing unwell or you are concerned about food (hay) intake, then you switch to daily weight checks.
Always ensure hay is available in multiple places around the cage. It can also help to scatter feed veg and pellets around the rather than using bowls at all, as that way the dominant piggy cannot hog food But foraging for food is an excellent form of enrichment.
Also ensuring the cage is big enough for your piggies - if you have two sows, then a cage of 150x60cm Is recommended. If you have two boars, then the cage needs to be bigger - 180x60cm is recommended. Lack of space can cause a problem in a bond As tensions will rise due to not being able to get far away enough from each other
You need to ensure the piggy you are concerned about is putting on weight by eating enough hay, so do switch to daily weight checks.
If one piggy is definitely not being allowed to eat at all, and starts to lose weight then that can be indicative of bullying and a dysfunctional relationship. This would mean they would be unlikely to be able to continue living together.
I’ll add some guides below for further information. I’ve added both the boar and sow guides as your post doesnt spe ift which sex your piggies are.
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Bonds In Trouble
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Weight - Monitoring and Management
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
Hello and welcome to the forum
I would definitely put in two of everything, so there’s no opportunity to fall out over one bowl, drinker, bed, cosy etc.
Your piggies are coming into the teenage stage of life shortly, which can be quite hairy at times. Make sure to can give them plenty of space at least 140 cm x 60 cm for girls and more for boys. If Jellybean is being chased when trying to eat you could try scattering their food around the cage too, always make sure there is access to unlimited hay throughout the day. Weigh both piggies at the same time each week and record their weights to make sure Jellybean is getting enough to eat. You are looking at a gradual weight gain as these two will grow for around a further year
I would definitely put in two of everything, so there’s no opportunity to fall out over one bowl, drinker, bed, cosy etc.
Your piggies are coming into the teenage stage of life shortly, which can be quite hairy at times. Make sure to can give them plenty of space at least 140 cm x 60 cm for girls and more for boys. If Jellybean is being chased when trying to eat you could try scattering their food around the cage too, always make sure there is access to unlimited hay throughout the day. Weigh both piggies at the same time each week and record their weights to make sure Jellybean is getting enough to eat. You are looking at a gradual weight gain as these two will grow for around a further year
Thanks everyone, they have unlimited hay all day and eat the hay together just they are every scared of use at the min jellybean is coming round but peanut isn’t, I’m spending time with them by putting little treats near my hand so they get used to me. Don’t know if it was because I just cleaned there cage and peanut was a bit scared but I have bought two of everything so I’ll put them in tonight to see if that helps. They have two hides so when she is chasing jellybean she goes somewhere else. Quick question how do you get them to not be scared of you
this guide helps explain dominance behaviourshttps://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
them getting used to you takes time though. One of mine was more comfortable after six weeks but it took the other a year and a half before he was no longer scared. The guides below offer tips
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Thanks I will be patience and try everyday with some food
Thanks I try everyday with food near my hand so they will get used to me. Hopefully they will come round
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Welcome to the forum.
Great advice already given.
Being prey animals piggies do take a lot of time and patience to feel safe.
My Phoebe took a few months before she stopped running to hide every time I came near.
Hope you have fun here too.
Great advice already given.
Being prey animals piggies do take a lot of time and patience to feel safe.
My Phoebe took a few months before she stopped running to hide every time I came near.
Hope you have fun here too.
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
When you clean their cage out always place a bit of dirty hay back in the cage, this helps boars feel more secure as they smell their scent on it and helps keep them from re-scenting and being territorial x