Newly Adopted Gps

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Joye

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Hi Everyone!
I just adopted 2 sows from a home where they were not cared for. They only had gerbal food to eat and a very small cage. I have had them for 24 hrs but they have not eaten any hay or veggies. They are also barely drinking any water. Is this normal? I am giving them some time and space to adjust to their new home but I’m a little worried about their lack or veggies and hay. Any advice?
 
Hello Joye, and welcome to the Forum. :wel:

Firstly, well done for taking on two neglected little piggies. I hope they'll thrive with you.

You'll find lots of wise help and advice on here, although not from me as I'm still very much a beginner. I think you probably just need to let the pigs settle in for a while, and give them time to adjust to their new surroundings. It took a couple of days for our little girls to settle down and be comfortable enough to get out and find their food. If they dont' start eating soon, then it may be something more than just the change of scenery. But don't worry. I'm sure that someone more knowledgable will be along with better advice soon!

Best of luck with your new girls. :)
 
Joye said:
Hi Everyone!
I just adopted 2 sows from a home where they were not cared for. They only had gerbal food to eat and a very small cage. I have had them for 24 hrs but they have not eaten any hay or veggies. They are also barely drinking any water. Is this normal? I am giving them some time and space to adjust to their new home but I’m a little worried about their lack or veggies and hay. Any advice?
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Do they have hay that they are sleeping on? It’s possible that they are nibbling on this when out of sight. You could try some freshly handpicked grass if you can pick it from somewhere you know hasn’t been soiled by other animals. Leave it near to them but make sure they can see and smell it. Just a small handful though as it will be rich pickings if they’ve not had any before. If you carefully moisten the grass too this will give them enough to drink. Have you tried a little cucumber too? Other than that, peace and quiet for a few days will help them to settle. Just chat away softly to them when attending to them so that they get used to your voice and having you near them. Well done for caring.
 
Aww bless you for taking them in. I would just make sure they have plenty places to hide and put their food and watery veg close to their house until they have grown more confident. If necessary, you could try putting a fleece cover over the cage completely to make they feel very protected.
 
Joye said:
Hi Everyone!
I just adopted 2 sows from a home where they were not cared for. They only had gerbal food to eat and a very small cage. I have had them for 24 hrs but they have not eaten any hay or veggies. They are also barely drinking any water. Is this normal? I am giving them some time and space to adjust to their new home but I’m a little worried about their lack or veggies and hay. Any advice?
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Hi!
Please give them time; they are likely scared and do not know what most of the food is and whether it is safe to eat. If they have never had veg before, you need to start slowly to get the guts used to fresh food to avoid a tummy upset. Start with fresh herbs or other greens. Unfortunately for your piggies, a gerbil diet contains pretty much all the big no nos for guinea pigs - nuts, seeds and fruit... :(
Guinea pigs learn from their elders what is safe to and what not. This makes it very difficult when guinea pigs have been kept on a wrong diet and need to be shifted over with no guidance from a member of their own species. Hopefully, hunger will take over at some point.
Offer water in a bowl as well as a bottle.

You may find these tips here very helpful. They tell you how to avoid any predator behaviour and use guinea pig body language to make friends with them in ways they instinctively understand. Right now, they are in their 'frozen' phase. Please cover the cage so they feel safe.
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

Lots more helpful advice for new owners via this link here: New Owners' Online Starter " Booklet" For Really Helpful Advice

Please have your piggies vet checked once
 
When I got my boys they had been fed rabbit muslie so the pellets didn't appeal to start with, also they didn't understand the water bottle as they had a bowl, it took time but they now love their food but still have a water bowl along with a bottle as one of them still doesn't like the bottle. I hope yours get their in the end. One other thing I left a blanket on top of the home for the first couple of weeks so the whole area felt safe :)
 
Thank you guys! I have a blanket over the cage and the hay was in a hay bag but I put it on the floor of the cage this morning. I also have a vet appointment scheduled this week to do a baseline check up. I will try some of your tips! Hopefully they will start eating and drinking soon!
 
I expect they are eating and drinking just not when you can see them! They will be scared in their new environment. Anything new is scary to a piggie. You have to gain their trust on their terms and a lot of patience is needed but they will come round after a lot of love and encouragement. Are there any poops in the cage? Piggies are poop machines and just poop everywhere. If there are poops it means they are eating.
 
Betsy said:
I expect they are eating and drinking just not when you can see them! They will be scared in their new environment. Anything new is scary to a piggie. You have to gain their trust on their terms and a lot of patience is needed but they will come round after a lot of love and encouragement. Are there any poops in the cage? Piggies are poop machines and just poop everywhere. If there are poops it means they are eating.
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That what my first reason I was worried because the first day there was maybe one or two. But today it is everywhere so I assume they are getting it.
 
Hi welcome to our friendly forum.
How old are your piggies, give them time to settle in & we want photos,what sex are your piggies?
 
Tiamolly123 said:
Hi welcome to our friendly forum.
How old are your piggies, give them time to settle in & we want photos,what sex are your piggies?
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They are about 4 month old girls. Once they get a little more settled I will most definitely post pictures! They are starting to come out and talk to me so I will most likely have some pictures today but we will see.
 
Great news (I think from all of my reading) the girls Anna and Elsa. Are running up to me when I enter the room. When I talk to them they are popping all over the place with happy chatter. Also they have had plenty of water, hay and veggies! Elsa even walked in my hand as I was putting some more hay down! Here is a picture from when they ran up to me.

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Joye said:
Great news (I think from all of my reading) the girls Anna and Elsa. Are running up to me when I enter the room. When I talk to them they are popping all over the place with happy chatter. Also they have had plenty of water, hay and veggies! Elsa even walked in my hand as I was putting some more hay down! Here is a picture from when they ran up to me.

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I have a few Abys!, Gracie is my latest baby Abys!, She’s very pretty too!Just like yours!
 
Hi Joye, how are your little girls doing? Hope all is going well. :)
 
Malunkers said:
Hi Joye, how are your little girls doing? Hope all is going well. :)
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Hi! They are doing great! Elsa loves cuddling already. Every time I come to the cage she reaches up or hops in my head when I lay it in the cage. They are both loving bell peppers and other veggies. Anna is still a bit shy but is also the dominant one. She has let me pet her though so that is good. Thanks for checking in! Here are a few pictures. Them running in their newly cleaned cage and then of the two separate. Thanks again for all of the advice here and settling my concerns!

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Joye said:
Hi! They are doing great! Elsa loves cuddling already. Every time I come to the cage she reaches up or hops in my head when I lay it in the cage. They are both loving bell peppers and other veggies. Anna is still a bit shy but is also the dominant one. She has let me pet her though so that is good. Thanks for checking in! Here are a few pictures. Them running in their newly cleaned cage and then of the two separate. Thanks again for all of the advice here and settling my concerns!

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They look as if they are really enjoying their cage and settling in very well!
 
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