What is this behaviour?

[Gabbi]

We have had jelly for about 4months we brought him from pets at home. He was alone when we got him and and was told he could not go with any other piggies as he was too old. (He was 4 months old.)

He is super friendly and a very happy little piggie!
He is happy having cuddles but mostly enjoys a run around the room.

My daughter started a game where we would tap our fingers on the floor and he would get excited and popcorn. If I do this with him, jelly has started climbing on my hand and weeing on me whilst making a rumbling sound.

Could this dominance or excitement?

Thanks in advance

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

I am afraid pets at home have given you very bad advice. He definitely needs a friend - a piggy can be bonded at any age and they have done you but particularly him a terrible disservice by telling you he can’t have a friend.

He is at a trickier age to be bonded with a boar due to hormones but it absolutely can be done with the help of a rescue centre. They can help find a character compatible friend and ensure a successful for him.
However It can be an easier bonding, given his hormones, to neuter him and (after the six week post op wait to become infertile) bond him with a sow. Mixed sex bondings tend to be more stable for the long term.
Either way, he does need a friend as soon as possible

It could be a mixture of both but rumbling is dominance

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated Bonding Dynamics and Behaviours
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

 

[Gabbi]

Thanks for your reply, I did think this wasn't correct advise, and online is very conflicting.

It was a neighbour/friend who actually purchased Jelly after seeing him alone, in the adoption area of a pets at home store. She felt sorry for him and with her best intentions, brought him home. She already has 2 female piggies and found that infact it was too much for her - so here we are!

 

[Roselina]

Thanks for your reply, I did think this wasn't correct advise, and online is very conflicting.

It was a neighbour/friend who actually purchased Jelly after seeing him alone, in the adoption area of a pets at home store. She felt sorry for him and with her best intentions, brought him home. She already has 2 female piggies and found that infact it was too much for her - so here we are!

How lovely that Jelly has come to you …what a lucky piggy he is.
@Piggies&buns has given you great advice
My bereaved piggy (boar) of 4 1/2 years was bonded with a 2 year old boar - it was done at a rescue and they are the greatest of friends
I’m sure with the right support/help you could find Jelly a friend
Good luck and we’d love to see a pigture of Jelly

 

[fluffysal]

Welcome to the forum. You will get no conflicting advice here and please ask any "silly" questions as there is no such thing!
The most amazing thing about this forum is that there's no judgement as we have all made Newby errors.
I too would love to see a pigture of your boy. I am managed by the Beastie Boys, Dignified Sir George (black and white dude) and Mischievous Master Boris (blond bombshell) who loves a selfie...

 

[Gabbi]

I do apologise i thought I added a video of the behaviour I was referring to in the original post.
I will try again. I'm not sure if the video is too large to upload.

 

[Gabbi]

This is jelly

 

[Piggies&buns]

We cannot host video directly on the forum (the forum is run by member contributions and video hosting is too costly). Instead you need to upload to YouTube and then post a link to it here

Rumbling is a normal dominance behaviour though. They do it with their cagemate all the time to maintain their hierarchy, but being alone means he is transferring all his natural behaviour onto you .

Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You?

 

[Roselina]

Jelly is lovely

 

[Gabbi]

Jelly is lovely

He is such a character and loves to climb!

 

[fluffysal]

Gotta love those gorgeous ruby eyes