Rubbing the wrong way?

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DAGATH

Hi all, 1st post here ?/

Anyway, I'm new to having guinea pigs so i have a few questions.
I have done alot of research via google and found alot of info but i think its best to get general advice from the horses mouth so to speak.

i have 2 males, Rufus and Brutus... my GF named them.... cough cough mallethead
got them 4 days ago and progress with them is very good i think.

as i expected they have been quite skittish at first but they are getting better with each day and they have started to find there voices. They are very happy to eat from my hand and to be petted, also a fav position for them is to be fed veggies from my hand while sitting on our laps (My GF and I)

As for rubbing the wrong way.. i have noticed that they make alot of little squeaks and purr when i rub them against the grain of there fur... they seem to like it but I'm not completely sure so thats the first question?

Second question is, how much water do they drink? should i be noticing a difference in the water bottle's levels? i have not observed them drinking at all. My GF is quite worried that they dont know how to drink from the sipper but they are 2 months old and came from a pet shop where I'm sure they were quite accustomed to a sipper. They eat and in fact love cucumber so I'm sure even if they dont use the sipper much, there is still plenty of water content to sustain them in the cucumber. any advice here?

They had a fight yesterday. I made a large floor area with all the necessaries for them to enjoy themselves and initially when i put them in they were flying around exploring and such... then wham a big fight and it seemed serious. I stood up sharply and said stop it! , (not that they understood me ;) ) but it seemed to work and there have not been anymore fights since. still should i be worried about this? they are both males (last 2 in the shop) so thats what i got.

Lastly, any other genral advice for a newbi?

Tnx
&
Kind Regards.
 
They might tell you that they like being cuddled or not; a short rumble is "stop that", while a long rumble is enjoyment; generally, I don't stroke a smooth piggy against the fur; but there is no problem with the others.

Two boys need to sort out the dominance at first, it can take a few days ot weeks. Here is a link on how to read their behaviour. Unless there is a bloody fight, don't separate them, as they have to always start back in square one.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

As for the drinking: many young guinea pigs don't know how to use the bottles. You have to demonstrate it to them by moving the ball, once they are comfy around you and your hands. Until you have seen and heard them drink properly, you can put in a bowl of water (change twice daily, as some might use as toilet) and give them fresh veg, ideally a mix of five different veg and fruit. Change the water bottle daily.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=42
 
Thanks Vicky very helpful informations. Cheers. ;)

Vickyt said:
They might tell you that they like being cuddled or not; a short rumble is "stop that", while a long rumble is enjoyment; generally, I don't stroke a smooth piggy against the fur; but there is no problem with the others.

Two boys need to sort out the dominance at first, it can take a few days ot weeks. Here is a link on how to read their behaviour. Unless there is a bloody fight, don't separate them, as they have to always start back in square one.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

As for the drinking: many young guinea pigs don't know how to use the bottles. You have to demonstrate it to them by moving the ball, once they are comfy around you and your hands. Until you have seen and heard them drink properly, you can put in a bowl of water (change twice daily, as some might use as toilet) and give them fresh veg, ideally a mix of five different veg and fruit. Change the water bottle daily.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=42
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