Suddenly Sleeping More

[Katy Felix]

Cocoa is suddenly sleeping a lot more. He's thought to be two or three. I don't know if he always does this when I'm out, but today he slept for a good three hours. He only woke up when I gently poked him for his dinner. He wheek d and ate as normal, then slept even MORE. He's not lethargic when he awake. His eyes seem like they might be a tiny little bit duller, but I can't really tell. I think his eyes are normal. His coat is soft and not puffy, as usual. He gained a little bit of weight, but I think it's cause he had a full tummy and bladder when I weighed him. He's sleeping with his eyes mostly closed, and in his usual spots, in the pigloo and on his cusion. Is this normal? Also, I do not know where to post this thread, Health and Illness, or Behaviour and Bonding. Sorry about that. Anyway, is cocoa alright? The weather here is a little colde, but he's in the basement so he's unaffected. Maybe one or two degrees Celsius. I live in cananda. Thanks! ~~katy xx

EDIT: forgot to clarify this bit. When he is awake, he eats his hay, drinks, plays etc. He does not have a cage mate at the moment, and we do not plan on getting him one, as he is overly aggressive and we don't have space. His old cagemate was bonded with him at a young age, and they didn't fight. Every other piggie he's met, he hated. Regardless of gender.

Another EDIT: his teeth are good, just thought I'd add this. He's pooping etc. as well.

 

[3Tyger]

I think you posted it in the right place, as a change of a guinea pigs weight & level of activity could potentially indicate a health problem (though I really hope he is fine). I don't know enough about this topic to comment much, other than I think it's definitely worth investigating further - i'm sure someone else on here will know though. I was wondering how long ago he lost his cagemate - was it recently? It may be relevant. Best wishes that Cocoa is okay ☺

 

[Katy Felix]

I think you posted it in the right place, as a change of a guinea pigs weight & level of activity could potentially indicate a health problem (though I really hope he is fine). I don't know enough about this topic to comment much, other than I think it's definitely worth investigating further - i'm sure someone else on here will know though. I was wondering how long ago he lost his cagemate - was it recently? It may be relevant. Best wishes that Cocoa is okay ☺

We lost my dear baby Maxy about two weeks ago. I'm still so sad but Cocoa has gotten over it and he knows why he's gone. I don't think the loss of poor Maxy affected this. Thank you anyways! I hope someone else knows

 

[3Tyger]

So sorry to hear about Maxy, 2wks ago is quite recent. It could possibly have affected Cocoa, but its definitely best to make certain there is no physical cause. Sorry for your loss and I hope you can get to the bottom of this and that Cocoa returns to his usual self soon.

 

[Katy Felix]

So sorry to hear about Maxy, 2wks ago is quite recent. It could possibly have affected Cocoa, but its definitely best to make certain there is no physical cause. Sorry for your loss and I hope you can get to the bottom of this and that Cocoa returns to his usual self soon.

Yes, you're right. I felt him over and he's not hurt. He runs and plays when he is awake. I am going to continue daily weighing and see how long he sleeps. If it seems off I will take him to the vet. Thank you for the support. The forum helped me get through Maxy's death.

 

[3Tyger]

No problem, and maybe someone could comment later with more information. Guinea pigs certainly are the most adorable creatures that capture our hearts. R.I.P to your Maxy, i'm sure he was happy to be so loved <3

 

[Wiebke]

We lost my dear baby Maxy about two weeks ago. I'm still so sad but Cocoa has gotten over it and he knows why he's gone. I don't think the loss of poor Maxy affected this. Thank you anyways! I hope someone else knows

If in doubt, see a vet for a check over.

However, a guinea pig on its own will sleep more if there is less stimulation. You are also generally upset and likely to hover more and notice little things much more, so you have to take that into consideration as well.

 

[Tiamolly123]

We lost my dear baby Maxy about two weeks ago. I'm still so sad but Cocoa has gotten over it and he knows why he's gone. I don't think the loss of poor Maxy affected this. Thank you anyways! I hope someone else knows

 

[Tiamolly123]

Cocoa seems too have got over Maxy dying, but clearly he hasn't. All the sleeping etc is because he needs a mate. You need to do this quickly as I have read of piggies dying if they don't get a mate.

 

[Critter]

It's good that he seems bright and himself when awake, but as others have mentioned if you have any doubts do see a vet.

A piggy on his own is likely to sleep more. Sometimes it can be quite hard, because in one way they need another and are just not quite themselves without a companion, and on the other hand may reject potential companions when introduced. Sometimes it can be a timing issue though too. Introducing him to others so soon after the death of his cage mate can work out really well for some pigs, whereas others just need time and space to adjust before they will consider letting another piggy into their lives.
As for fighting both sexes: I have a lovely neutered boar. His story is that his original owner bought him to be a companion to another older boar, but they fought. In fact Freddie apparently fought with every boar, so his owner had him neutered and settled him in with a small group of sows. He is a 'ladies man', yet not all of the ladies I've introduced him to have accepted him. He is unlikely to ever be the head of my herd for this reason. In times gone by I've had to make several adjustments due to the deaths of various sows, and over time I have had three sows who have violently rejected him, and he will fight back with any sow who starts a fight. And yet when a sow accepts him, he is very gentle and loving.
I am wondering who started the fights when you introduced him to the sows - him or them? If it's him then I don't know what to suggest.
It could be a case of finding the right sow, I suspect a submissive one would have the best chance of forming a bond with him.
Is he neutered already or have you made these introductions with sows to see if it is likely to work out well with a sow before going down the neutering route?

It could also be that it's just too soon for him to get his head around his lost companion and just isn't ready to accept another just yet. Piggies do have fond memories of their loved ones as I have seen from reintroductions after a long period of absence. Could it be that he doesn't realise that Maxy is dead? Could it be that he is waiting for Maxy to come back and is defending Maxy's 'place' against new-comers?

Personally I think it may be worth giving it a break for a few weeks and monitoring him closely. If he loses his spark/his appetite during this time then be prepared to start trying for introductions again asap. If he seems fine in himself when awake personally I would leave things as they are for a few more weeks, let him adjust, and then give it another go. x

 

[Katy Felix]

If in doubt, see a vet for a check over.

However, a guinea pig on its own will sleep more if there is less stimulation. You are also generally upset and likely to hover more and notice little things much more, so you have to take that into consideration as well.

That is true. I really think he needs a friend, but m not sure how my parents, and cocoa, will react. I'm also worried because there are no piggie rescues nearby, and the stores near me treat their piggies bad, and I don't want to support them.

 

[Katy Felix]

It's good that he seems bright and himself when awake, but as others have mentioned if you have any doubts do see a vet.

A piggy on his own is likely to sleep more. Sometimes it can be quite hard, because in one way they need another and are just not quite themselves without a companion, and on the other hand may reject potential companions when introduced. Sometimes it can be a timing issue though too. Introducing him to others so soon after the death of his cage mate can work out really well for some pigs, whereas others just need time and space to adjust before they will consider letting another piggy into their lives.
As for fighting both sexes: I have a lovely neutered boar. His story is that his original owner bought him to be a companion to another older boar, but they fought. In fact Freddie apparently fought with every boar, so his owner had him neutered and settled him in with a small group of sows. He is a 'ladies man', yet not all of the ladies I've introduced him to have accepted him. He is unlikely to ever be the head of my herd for this reason. In times gone by I've had to make several adjustments due to the deaths of various sows, and over time I have had three sows who have violently rejected him, and he will fight back with any sow who starts a fight. And yet when a sow accepts him, he is very gentle and loving.
I am wondering who started the fights when you introduced him to the sows - him or them? If it's him then I don't know what to suggest.
It could be a case of finding the right sow, I suspect a submissive one would have the best chance of forming a bond with him.
Is he neutered already or have you made these introductions with sows to see if it is likely to work out well with a sow before going down the neutering route?

It could also be that it's just too soon for him to get his head around his lost companion and just isn't ready to accept another just yet. Piggies do have fond memories of their loved ones as I have seen from reintroductions after a long period of absence. Could it be that he doesn't realise that Maxy is dead? Could it be that he is waiting for Maxy to come back and is defending Maxy's 'place' against new-comers?

Personally I think it may be worth giving it a break for a few weeks and monitoring him closely. If he loses his spark/his appetite during this time then be prepared to start trying for introductions again asap. If he seems fine in himself when awake personally I would leave things as they are for a few more weeks, let him adjust, and then give it another go. x

Thanks for all the tips! I'm gonna monitor him more, and look into getting him a friend <3 I don't have any pig rescues near though. I don't want to buy from a pet store, either. So we'll see. I am hoping to get him a friend soon.

 

[Katy Felix]

Cocoa seems too have got over Maxy dying, but clearly he hasn't. All the sleeping etc is because he needs a mate. You need to do this quickly as I have read of piggies dying if they don't get a mate.

I am trying to . No rescues nearby, though! I don't like supporting pet stores. All the ones near me keep their little pee-ugs in little glass aquariums with like four others. They feed them coloured food and they don't give them hay!

 

[Katy Felix]

I made a mistake in the first post. It got one or two degrees COLDER, it isn't only one or two degrees above zero. In the pig room it's about 20 degrees Celsius. It's not cold for people, nor for Cocoa Bean.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for all the tips! I'm gonna monitor him more, and look into getting him a friend <3 I don't have any pig rescues near though. I don't want to buy from a pet store, either. So we'll see. I am hoping to get him a friend soon.

Would you or your parents consider a live-alongside single companion if things don't work out?

I don't know which country you are in, so I can't help you on that score.

 

[Katy Felix]

Would you or your parents consider a live-alongside single companion if things don't work out?

I don't know which country you are in, so I can't help you on that score.

I live in Ontario, Canada. What do you mean by a live-alongside companion? Also, my little beanie seems more active today. I think maybe something kept him up last night. He seems almost back to normal now. I'm not totally sure though.

 

[Wiebke]

I live in Ontario, Canada. What do you mean by a live-alongside companion? Also, my little beanie seems more active today. I think maybe something kept him up last night. He seems almost back to normal now. I'm not totally sure though.

Can you get as far as Piggles Rescue in the wider Toronto area? They are are the best guinea pig rescue in your part of Canada. They also have sometimes got spayed sows. That would make things a lot easier for you! They rehome in the whole of Southern Ontario. Piggles Rescue | Facebook

A live-alongside companion is somepig that lives in an adjoining cage when an introduction has failed or is not an option, but you haven't got the possibility to date at a rescue or somewhere else. It also works for fallen-out boars. That way, guinea pigs have their own territory, but they still have the round-the-clock interaction that they need.

Our forum advice default is British. We have got several members, even from your province, but if you please added your location to your details, so it is always visible underneath your username, it allows us to adjust any advice to Canadian conditions and available brands and if necessary tag in local members for local knowledge whenever necessary. We are not asking for the exact location, just your country, province or large city in order to make our advice as effective as possible.
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