Spraying?

[MIZ]

Hey,

I have had my guinea pig for 5 months now I keep having the same problems with him. Every time I get him out to hold him or let him run around it is guaranteed that he is going to pee. Just in small amounts but it is getting really annoying and I think it may because he is an un-neutered male and he is marking his territory when he smells new things. I dont know if guinea pigs "spray" like other animals would but I have no other explanation. Its getting to the point where I dont even want to take him out and I feel bad because he gets so excited when I come home.

When I clean out his cage I will clean and wipe everything down. Then when I put him back its fine for a few minutes then it smells awful again. I think he might be spraying his cage because I cleaned it.

Is there any solution to this problem?

 

[MIZ]

oops

oh I think I posted this in the wrong section?

 

[Hermes]

As far as I know guinea pigs will just urinate as and when they please, I think they do also scent mark by dragging their back end along the ground. Some pigs become wriggly when they're being held and need to pee and others don't. I don't know if neutering has an effect but I can't imagine it would really. The only thing I can suggest is to cover yourself or the floor with something when you have him out (such as an old towel, waterproof backed picnic blanket).

As for the cage I think to a degree this is probably a matter of personal opinion because I don't find my two boars that smelly unless I've left the cleanout longer than usual or it's really warm. How big is his cage and what bedding/substrate do you use?

I also feel that I should mention guinea pigs are sociable animals and it's reccommended to keep them in pairs though I realise sometimes this is not possible.

 

[MIZ]

As far as I know guinea pigs will just urinate as and when they please, I think they do also scent mark by dragging their back end along the ground. Some pigs become wriggly when they're being held and need to pee and others don't. I don't know if neutering has an effect but I can't imagine it would really. The only thing I can suggest is to cover yourself or the floor with something when you have him out (such as an old towel, waterproof backed picnic blanket).

As for the cage I think to a degree this is probably a matter of personal opinion because I don't find my two boars that smelly unless I've left the cleanout longer than usual or it's really warm. How big is his cage and what bedding/substrate do you use?

I also feel that I should mention guinea pigs are sociable animals and it's reccommended to keep them in pairs though I realise sometimes this is not possible.

His cage is fairly large, he has plenty of room to bolt back and forth. I use the recommended bedding that was on this site. Towels and a fleece blanket. I know I need to get him a friend but I am worried that I wont have time to take care of two guinea pigs because that would mean I would have to clean out the cage twice as often and feed them twice as much etc.

I am just waiting for my life to slow down basically before I can commit to a new animal. Maybe in May...

I just feel bad because I want him hold him for more then 5 minutes before he pees everywhere.

 

[Hermes]

His cage is fairly large, he has plenty of room to bolt back and forth. I use the recommended bedding that was on this site. Towels and a fleece blanket. I know I need to get him a friend but I am worried that I wont have time to take care of two guinea pigs because that would mean I would have to clean out the cage twice as often and feed them twice as much etc.

I am just waiting for my life to slow down basically before I can commit to a new animal. Maybe in May...

I just feel bad because I want him hold him for more then 5 minutes before he pees everywhere.

Having two pigs isn't really much different to having one, it is twice as much food but I would clean a single pig out as often as two and you can hug two pigs at once.

I understand that it is more responsibility though and twice as much pee! I agree that you should wait until you feel you can make the commitment properly.

For his cage I can only suggest adding extra layers, some people use puppy pad type things beneath the towels or just put another layer of towels. You could also give him a plastic tray for his hay with some bedding/substrate in the bottom as they tend to pee a lot whilst eating and then clean the tray daily to reduce the smell.

As for him peeing whilst you're holding him I can still only suggest covering up with something, hopefully someone else will come along with a better solution for you.h pe.

 

[Wiebke]

Piggies use urine as scent marking a new territory.

 

[claire8234]

Hi

I have two boys and they do pee everywhere and a LOT!

Not everyone gets on with fleece so give it a go and maybe try some differerent types to see what is best for you. I use a cage liner which is fleece sewn onto a mattress topper. The fleece wicks the wee away and the topper lets the wee dry which stops it smelling.

You may need to clean him out more often if its a problem or try using litter trays in in areas he wees the most in.

As for peeing when you hold him this is normal. I just place a lot of towels on the sofa and one on my lap, they generally poo in one place and I have to say the last few times I have got them out they haven't weed.

I find it sad that you dont want to hold him much because he wee's but unfortunately this is what piggies and you will have to just get used to it. Protect your lap and where they are sitting and just clean up after he has gone back to his cage.

Please dont think I am having a go but he really does need a friend

x

 

[MIZ]

Hi

I have two boys and they do pee everywhere and a LOT!

Not everyone gets on with fleece so give it a go and maybe try some differerent types to see what is best for you. I use a cage liner which is fleece sewn onto a mattress topper. The fleece wicks the wee away and the topper lets the wee dry which stops it smelling.

You may need to clean him out more often if its a problem or try using litter trays in in areas he wees the most in.

As for peeing when you hold him this is normal. I just place a lot of towels on the sofa and one on my lap, they generally poo in one place and I have to say the last few times I have got them out they haven't weed.

I find it sad that you dont want to hold him much because he wee's but unfortunately this is what piggies and you will have to just get used to it. Protect your lap and where they are sitting and just clean up after he has gone back to his cage.

Please dont think I am having a go but he really does need a friend

x

Oh yes I still get him out a lot and I do have to wrap him in a towel. Do you think neutering him will help with the pee?

Also, not all his pee is smelly. Its only right when I put him in his cage. And they every once in a while until I clean his cage again. It goes away after a few hours so I guess that is his scent marking?

I do know I need to get him a friend. But he was bred by a private owner and I think he was part of an accident litter. The local shelter has had my phone number for 5ish months and I told them to call me if they got in a male pig and they have not yet. But otherwise I would have to buy from a pet store (yuck!) or I would have to drive a few hours to a new city to look there. And right now I just don't have the time to make a trip like that just for a pig!