I visited a local shop to pick up a few bits. There was a guinea pig in a glass tank about 1x1, all alone, no food or water just a pile of hay in that it was desperately trying to hide in. It was absolutly terrifed. The shop owner was vague when i asked him about it. Didn't even know what sex it was but said it was about 8 weeks old.
Long story short I expressed my concern about its welfare and they let me have it.
I already keep GP's but have never had one younger than about 5/6 months.
This one is male (now called Alfie) and is absolutly terrified. I put it in a hutch alone at first but it seemed overwhelmed. So I put it in a smaller cage where I can keep a close eye on him. He doesn't seem to be eating or drinking. I put a small shallow bowl of water and some hay etc in the bedroom area so he doesn't have to come out but he hasn't touched it. When I hold him he snuggles to my chest and purrs! but the rest of the time he is cowering under the blankets in his sleeping area.
I have an appointment at the vets tomorrow afternoon and I'm also going along to see a guy at a nearby rescue on Tuesday as he has a 3 month old boar that is very timid so we are going to see if they like each other.
I'm a bit worried that he is younger than 8 weeks. I swear when I hold him he is trying to suck my neck as if he is trying to suckle.
I feel like I should be doing something else in the mean time. Does anyone have any advice please?
Long story short I expressed my concern about its welfare and they let me have it.
I already keep GP's but have never had one younger than about 5/6 months.
This one is male (now called Alfie) and is absolutly terrified. I put it in a hutch alone at first but it seemed overwhelmed. So I put it in a smaller cage where I can keep a close eye on him. He doesn't seem to be eating or drinking. I put a small shallow bowl of water and some hay etc in the bedroom area so he doesn't have to come out but he hasn't touched it. When I hold him he snuggles to my chest and purrs! but the rest of the time he is cowering under the blankets in his sleeping area.
I have an appointment at the vets tomorrow afternoon and I'm also going along to see a guy at a nearby rescue on Tuesday as he has a 3 month old boar that is very timid so we are going to see if they like each other.
I'm a bit worried that he is younger than 8 weeks. I swear when I hold him he is trying to suck my neck as if he is trying to suckle.
I feel like I should be doing something else in the mean time. Does anyone have any advice please?