Solo Guinea Pig Questions

[WMUPiggy]

I'll start off with some info about my guinea pig, Piglet. I was uninformed of how horrible pet stores are and bought a pig last September from Petco. I realize I should not have, but I am very happy with my little girl! A few months after I got Piglet, I wanted to get her a friend, since pigs are best in groups. I also got this pig from a pet store, which I know was a bad idea. From the beginning she was very shy and was not very active so I knew something was off. Over time she became a little more active, but not by much. My older pig is a bit of a food hog and would not let Winnie (the new pig) eat very many veggies, so I had to hand feed her, which was difficult. Eventually though, Winnie became very sick and eventually passed away. The vet said she had a vitimin D inefficieny, which was from Piglet hogging the food. I always give my pigs lots of different veggies, so that wasnt the problem. I feel bad that Piglet does not have any playmates, but I'm scared to get another pig (from a shelter this time) because of what happened last time. Does anyone have any advice or has anyone gone through a similar experience with pigs hogging all the food? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-WMUPiggy

 

[Swissgreys]

It sounds like you are trying to do your best for your piggies, so you should never feel bad about that.
Have you tried contacting a local rescue with guinea pigs to discuss your situation?

As far as food goes I think you need to make sure that you have several bowls of food and several water bottles. This will help to prevent one piggy dominating everything.
When it comes to fresh food, we tend to chop it into small pieces and spread ot all over the run, so everyone has a chance to get their fair share.

 

[WMUPiggy]

Thank you for the quick reply Swissgreys!

I recently have filled out a few applications for guinea pig rescues near me and hope to get a new guinea soon! I will try using more food bowls and bottles. Cutting up the food smaller and spreading it around sounds like a good idea too. Thanks again.

WMUPiggy

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the quick reply Swissgreys!

I recently have filled out a few applications for guinea pig rescues near me and hope to get a new guinea soon! I will try using more food bowls and bottles. Cutting up the food smaller and spreading it around sounds like a good idea too. Thanks again.

WMUPiggy

Hi! You have done your best. I don't think that it is down to what you did; it sounds like your girl had some serious issues even berore you got her.
You are welcome to post a tribute to her in our Rainbow Bridge section.

It is great that you want to go rescue this time and make sure that your single girl is having the best of lives! We have got lots of tips on quarantine (if not happening at the shelter) and on how to settle in new/nervous piggies and how to bond them at the top of pur various Care sections, which may hopefully help you. If you have got a dominant piggy, look for a submissive or younger companion so acceptance is more likely.
You can find recommended piggy savvy good standard rescues either via our UK rescue locator on the top bar or via this link here for other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

There are a few things you can do with a professional food hogger: serve veg and pellets in small portions 2-3 time a day, so any veg and pellet food can be eaten in one sitting and there is nothing hanging round in between meals. Give each piggy a bowl and place the bowls at least one body length apart, if not more; this is the best way to ensure that each get a fair amount. If you have got a real food bully, have a third bowl with a bit more food at the ready to serve as distraction/allow the underpig to get their own portion.
Up to 80% of the daily food intake should be hay anyway, with vet making 10-15% and pellets 5-10%, so your girls won't go hungry in between meals. It is also advisable to make sure that hay access can be blocked or that if necessary, you have got two hay stations/hay trays well away from each other.
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

As we have members from all over the world, we find it helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can tailor any advice as much to your situation as possible instsead of keeping it general.

 

[WMUPiggy]

Hi! You have done your best. I don't think that it is down to what you did; it sounds like your girl had some serious issues even berore you got her.
You are welcome to post a tribute to her in our Rainbow Bridge section.

It is great that you want to go rescue this time and make sure that your single girl is having the best of lives! We have got lots of tips on quarantine (if not happening at the shelter) and on how to settle in new/nervous piggies and how to bond them at the top of pur various Care sections, which may hopefully help you. If you have got a dominant piggy, look for a submissive or younger companion so acceptance is more likely.
You can find recommended piggy savvy good standard rescues either via our UK rescue locator on the top bar or via this link here for other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

There are a few things you can do with a professional food hogger: serve veg and pellets in small portions 2-3 time a day, so any veg and pellet food can be eaten in one sitting and there is nothing hanging round in between meals. Give each piggy a bowl and place the bowls at least one body length apart, if not more; this is the best way to ensure that each get a fair amount. If you have got a real food bully, have a third bowl with a bit more food at the ready to serve as distraction/allow the underpig to get their own portion.
Up to 80% of the daily food intake should be hay anyway, with vet making 10-15% and pellets 5-10%, so your girls won't go hungry in between meals. It is also advisable to make sure that hay access can be blocked or that if necessary, you have got two hay stations/hay trays well away from each other.
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet
The Importance Of Weighing - Ideal Weight / Overweight / Underweight

As we have members from all over the world, we find it helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can tailor any advice as much to your situation as possible instsead of keeping it general.

Thank you so much for all the great advice! Two hay stations sounds like an awesome idea to try.