Small (runt?) guinea pig, poss satin? Also tips on extreme timidity!

[beautiful_day]

Hello,

We adopted two guinea pigs recently, and one of them is really small. He is about 4-5 months old, will he grow much more? He seems to get plenty to eat, even though his cage mate seems dominant.

Also, I wondered if he is a satin as his fur is very shiny. He has red eyes. I read they have bone problems - could that affect his growth?

Lastly, he is very timid, and hasn’t responded that well to contact. We’ve been very gentle, handled him daily but not for too long. He’s ok once on our laps and being stroked but hides all the time if we come near the cage and is terrified when he knows he’s going to be picked up. He’s really jumpy - jumps out of his skin at noise or sudden movement, even if it is just his cage mate. He won’t eat from our hands.

His cage mate is 7 months ish and much more outgoing.

We adopted them from a family with five kids, so he’s used to humans. They also had cats, who apparently bothered the guineas, so they gave them away.

Picture attached.

Thanks!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hello. Gorgeous piggies!
Piggies can continue to grow until they are between 12 and 18 months old, so they have both got lots of growing left to do!
In terms of being scared, these things take time. Even if they are used to being around people, they aren’t used to you. They will need to get to know you and it can take quite a while for some piggies to settle.
I’ve had my two since the end of June. One of them (the dominant one of the two) will eat from my hand and let me stroke him but this has only happened in the last couple of weeks. The other one runs off and hides as soon as he sees me coming, won’t let me touch him and certainly won’t eat from my hand or let me pick him up. I think he is always going to be more nervous.
Just need to be slow and steady around them and they will gain confidence in their own time

 

[Seven7]

He is very young. I would give the little guy some time to grow.

At that age, my Finn was also very timid but now, my Finn recognizes me and runs towards me when I come around his cage. He eats his herbs from my hand.

Lara was given to me by a friend who didn't want her so I don't know how she behaved when she was a baby. Lara also runs towards me when I come near her cage. She is about the same age as my Finn and they live in separate cages.

 

[beautiful_day]

Thanks - wow lots of growing, the bigger one already seems huge!
Although I have no evidence of their ages, just the word of the family.
Yes I guess we’ll have to take it slowly. The family also said they never fought, but there seems to be a lot of dominance behaviour going on, with a couple of nips. Will have to keep an eye on that too. The bigger one tips over the little house all the time as the little one likes going in there.

I haven’t had guinea pigs since I was a little kid so feel like it is all new to me again!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum
This is definitely the best place to learn all about guinea pig care - and have fun.
Guinea pigs are prey animals and so their default position is “You’re going to eat me “
It takes time and patience to win their trust.
I acquired a 6 month old girl in July along with her mother.
They came from a house with noisy young children and it is taking time with little Phoebe to overcome her nervousness.
She’s much more confident now but still doesn’t like being petted or held. Today was the first time she risked putting her paws on my lap to get at the veggie bowl.
Your little one will come around with lots of love and patience.
Please let us see pictures