Scared Guinea Pig?

[Sizzlemysticks]

Hey, so I recently took in a guinea pig. I had taken her from a friend who neglected her for what seemed like months (There were mushrooms growing in her cage and gnats living underneath the bedding) I had babysat her when she was only a year old but that's as far as my experience with Guinea Pigs go. I've asked owners for advice whilst doing my own research. The previous owner seemed to give up on proper socialization after a couple months. Baby (the piggy) is very nervous all the time and will run away while making noises very often. Recently, I've gotten to the point where I can sit near the cage and play music/videos and she is fine with it. She also doesn't flinch at me talking and will sometimes come to the open cage to just watch me. I sit by her cage and spot clean daily whilst talking to her and she'll come up to my hand (Takes nibbles at my hand) for almost an hour. However, recently she stopped letting me pet her and I don't want to push past her comfort zone. Is there any advice someone can give me on how to help make this experience less stressful? Also, she was never introduced to veggies and I've tried but she doesn't even give them any attention. Tips on helping her diet would also be appreciated.

 

[Siikibam]

It will be just a case of perseverance. Most pigs won’t turn down herbs so try her on coriander (cilantro). It’s a good source of vitamin c. Also try her on pepper and lettuce (not iceberg). Give her a little a day - hand feed if she will accept it - and leave it in there. If she hasn’t eaten it by evening then take it out. Rinse and repeat this but maybe introduce one veg at a time. Does she eat hay and pellets?

Another thing you really need to do is to get her a friend. Piggies are herd animals and need constant round the clock companionship of/from their own kind.

I’d also take her to the (piggy savvy) vet just for a general check over. How are her nails looking?

There is a wealth of threads for newbies but I’ll link ones about companionship, diet and guinea pig whispering/behaviour.

Companionship
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

 

[Sizzlemysticks]

She has both hay and pellets. I've been planning on getting her a friend as well as expanding the cage so they both have enough space. Her nails look long, not crusty or infected but too long. Don't seem to be bothering but I have an appointment set up for her to get checked over. Thanks for the help

 

[Siikibam]

Pellets should only be one tablespoon a piggy per day. It’s good she eats hay. Hopefully she’ll slowly start eating veg.

Good luck with her anc well done for taking her in

 

[Betsy]

Your piggy is very cute, what is her name? The info you've been given by @Siikibam is very good. Especially the whispering techniques. Have you tried covering half her cage in a blanket? That way she will feel a bit braver. Well done for taking on a very neglected piggy. It will take quite a while for you to gain her trust. Just take things at her pace. It is a wonderful thing to gain the trust of a prey animal.

 

[artcasper]

Well done for taking her in. I am sure she will come to trust you in time,... good luck

 

[Wiebke]

Hey, so I recently took in a guinea pig. I had taken her from a friend who neglected her for what seemed like months (There were mushrooms growing in her cage and gnats living underneath the bedding) I had babysat her when she was only a year old but that's as far as my experience with Guinea Pigs go. I've asked owners for advice whilst doing my own research. The previous owner seemed to give up on proper socialization after a couple months. Baby (the piggy) is very nervous all the time and will run away while making noises very often. Recently, I've gotten to the point where I can sit near the cage and play music/videos and she is fine with it. She also doesn't flinch at me talking and will sometimes come to the open cage to just watch me. I sit by her cage and spot clean daily whilst talking to her and she'll come up to my hand (Takes nibbles at my hand) for almost an hour. However, recently she stopped letting me pet her and I don't want to push past her comfort zone. Is there any advice someone can give me on how to help make this experience less stressful? Also, she was never introduced to veggies and I've tried but she doesn't even give them any attention. Tips on helping her diet would also be appreciated.

Hi and welcome

What a gorgeous, but poor girl!

Please take the time to read these guide links below.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness) (please be aware that the very first sign of mange mites can be a refusal to be touched on any painful skin patch)


Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
(Looks at all food groups in detail and contains a picture of a balanced veg sample diet)

They are all part of our much more more extensive new owners practical and informative 'how to' guide collection that helps them to have as smooth a start to a good and happy long term ownership. We have collected all the guides that specifically address all the most often asked questions and concerns in it. It has a whole section on human-cavy interaction and another on diet with guides on care, housing, safe and unsafe enrichment, understanding behaviour and social interaction, learning what is normal and not and what to look for during your weekly weight and health check etc.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Sizzlemysticks]

Your piggy is very cute, what is her name? The info you've been given by @Siikibam is very good. Especially the whispering techniques. Have you tried covering half her cage in a blanket? That way she will feel a bit braver. Well done for taking on a very neglected piggy. It will take quite a while for you to gain her trust. Just take things at her pace. It is a wonderful thing to gain the trust of a prey animal.

Her name is Baby, thanks for the tips

 

[Sizzlemysticks]

Hi and welcome

What a gorgeous, but poor girl!

Please take the time to read these guide links below.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness) (please be aware that the very first sign of mange mites can be a refusal to be touched on any painful skin patch)


Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
(Looks at all food groups in detail and contains a picture of a balanced veg sample diet)

They are all part of our much more more extensive new owners practical and informative 'how to' guide collection that helps them to have as smooth a start to a good and happy long term ownership. We have collected all the guides that specifically address all the most often asked questions and concerns in it. It has a whole section on human-cavy interaction and another on diet with guides on care, housing, safe and unsafe enrichment, understanding behaviour and social interaction, learning what is normal and not and what to look for during your weekly weight and health check etc.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

I'm glad to pointed out mange mites because she seems to be itching more than usual so I started to do some research on it. Are there there any other tips on how to treat her? She hasn't been picky on where I pet though just naturally jumpy (I'll attach a video link)

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Well done for taking in that poor little girl.
I can’t add to the advice already given but I am sure that with time, patience and your loving care she will recover.
She’s a beauty

 

[PennyCopper]

Hey, so I recently took in a guinea pig. I had taken her from a friend who neglected her for what seemed like months (There were mushrooms growing in her cage and gnats living underneath the bedding) I had babysat her when she was only a year old but that's as far as my experience with Guinea Pigs go. I've asked owners for advice whilst doing my own research. The previous owner seemed to give up on proper socialization after a couple months. Baby (the piggy) is very nervous all the time and will run away while making noises very often. Recently, I've gotten to the point where I can sit near the cage and play music/videos and she is fine with it. She also doesn't flinch at me talking and will sometimes come to the open cage to just watch me. I sit by her cage and spot clean daily whilst talking to her and she'll come up to my hand (Takes nibbles at my hand) for almost an hour. However, recently she stopped letting me pet her and I don't want to push past her comfort zone. Is there any advice someone can give me on how to help make this experience less stressful? Also, she was never introduced to veggies and I've tried but she doesn't even give them any attention. Tips on helping her diet would also be appreciated.