Settling In

[LillyB]

I brought home 2 x 8 week old Female Guinea Piga yesterday......obviously both are very nervous in their new home. 1 of them has hidden completely and the other is sat frozen in the corner. How long does it usually take for them to settle? I dont think they have eaten or drunk any water since they have arrived......i have put some sliced up carrot in their cage for them.
Should I disturb and clean out their cage today OR should I leave them to settle in? They are so nervous I don't want to scare them any more......but i want to make sure they have fresh hay & grass.
I put some pellets in their cage for them & these haven't been eaten either......should I remove these from the cage?
I am a complete novice at this and all help and advice is gratefully received. Thankyou x

 

[Piggies&buns]

This is very normal for prey animals. How long they take to settle will vary from piggy to piggy - some take days and then feel more confident, ofhers it takes weeks.
Cover their cage with a blanket so they feel more secure and they may come out and eat when you aren’t looking. leave them for a week without doing anything more than feeding them and a bit of spot cleaning of their cage.
You then build up interactions slowly first by sitting by their cage and talking to them, then seeing if they will take food from your hands. It could be a long time if they are nervous piggies. One of mine settle and took food from me within six weeks of coming home with me, the other one still won’t consisfently do it after two years. You really do just need to take it at their pace.

The only food they need constantly is hay. Ensure they have lots of hay available at all times. Pellets need to be kept strictly limited to one tablespoon per piggy per day and veg is one cup per day. Don’t feed carrot often - a tiny amount once per week - as it is too high in sugar.
I’ll add some guides in below

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Cage Size Guide

 

[LillyB]

Thank you so much for your very valued advice
I have just put a blanket over their cage and have removed the Carrott I had put in there. I had added more hay for them too.
I had a little hut in there for them which 1 headed straight into which meant the other one thought they were on their own in there. I have taken this out and replaced it with a tunnel hide which they seem happier with and have both headed into and snuggled up together, which is a relief. I shall make sure their water and hay is topped up and leave them to settle in.
Thankyou so much for the guides too......they are brilliant and full of very handy tips!
x

 

[Siikibam]

Hi and welcome. We’d love to see pictures once they’ve settled in. In the meantime make sure they have (at least) two hides in there.

 

[LillyB]

Thankyou I have got another hide which I have just put in the cage for them to replace the hut, which i think this was too intrusive for them.

I have checked on them regularly during the day and delighted to see they have been eating their hay and even found some little poop in there, which was a relief in a funny sort of way!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
You’re doing a good job helping them to settle and they are so cute.
I always talk to my piggies so they get to know my voice and associate me with food.
It helps ease the fear.
I always waited a week before cleaning the cage for the first time so as not to stress them.
Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your little beauties

 

[Claire W]

Hello and welcome to the forum your girls are gorgeous and they will soon settle in

 

[LillyB]

Welcome to the forum.
You’re doing a good job helping them to settle and they are so cute.
I always talk to my piggies so they get to know my voice and associate me with food.
It helps ease the fear.
I always waited a week before cleaning the cage for the first time so as not to stress them.
Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your little beauties

Thankyou so much, that is really reassuring to hear I have been chatting away to them all day, hahah!
I will definitely let them settle in properly before I disturb them with cleaning the cage.
Thankyou I will post more pictures as they settle x

 

[LillyB]

Hello and welcome to the forum your girls are gorgeous and they will soon settle in

Thankyou so much Everyone has been very helpful and friendly......it really is appreciated. I will make sure i post more pictures as they settle x

 

[artcasper]

Aww pair of cuties... I spoke to mine as much as I could when I first got them so they got used to my voice... time and patience works... read the guides too ...

 

[LillyB]

Thankyou so much Putting a blanket over the cage definitely helped......when I went into them this morning they were both out of their hide exploring......although they soon darted for cover when they saw me! Judging by the poo pellets around the cage this morning, they are eating and drinking well which is such a relief! So many helpful tips on here its fab!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw gorgeous girlies you have there, exciting times for you x

 

[LillyB]

Awww......Thank you so much

 

[LillyB]

Am so pleased and excited to say my 2 girls are starting to settle in nicely! Have followed all the amazing tips I have been given on here which I know has helped!
They now recognise that the sound of my voice means food is potentially on its way and have started moving closer to the edge of their hides while I am replenishing the hay/water or adding some pellets for them
We have had the occassional 'Purrs' coming from them which is so cute to hear