Won't leave corner of new home

[proudpigmom]

So, I moved from the home they have known for about 2 years into a much different house. Everything about it is the opposite of where I was living before except that it is still very quiet. However, before they slept in the same room with me but now the rooms are smaller but with more of them their cage needs to go elsewhere, in their own whole room (that is also my exercise room so I am in there too sometimes for yoga).

I also changed the shape of their cage since I made it myself. I always wanted to change it into a funner shape for them since they love exploring a clean new cage, but there wasn't room in my room in the last house. So here is a picture to how I changed the cage shape. I will explain the other markings after:


The little part with the purple which is just more than 2 square feet is new. Before, it was only the large rectangle (about 10 square feet). They have only lived in this shape of cage while being at this house.

They only just moved in yesterday morning. I have been living with my boyfriend for some time, but I got them right before my state went on lock down so I could have them. However, since they moved in they have been at that purple circle... I mean all the time. I am wondering if this is normal for guinea pigs that move to another environment. Last night and this morning I did hear them moving around (houses banging against the side of the cage and chewing of their toys) but only a very little bit. There is poop everywhere so they did exit this area at some point. Just whenever I go past, see them, or rattle a bag of treats, they stay there. They also never ever cuddled before. For the 1.5 years I have had both, they have strongly tolerated each other'a presence... never ever cuddled. But now they are cuddled in that corner together.

I posted here because I figured it could be a mixture of stress plus they have this new small nook to hang out in which is comfy. I wondered if other people's guinea pigs reacted similar in a move.

Thank you!

 

[Swissgreys]

It would be really helpful if you could post a photo of their actual cage set up.
Is it quite sheltered and does it have lots of hides and tunnels or is it quite open?

Plus any move to a new environment is quite stressful, and it will take them a few days to settle.
Just make sure they can easily reach hay and water and have plenty of sheltered places ot hide and I am sure they will come around quite quickly.

 

[Merab]

We moved house last year and the piggies had a slightly different cage setup.
They were quieter the first few days but soon settled and adjusted to a new environment.
Hope you enjoy your new home

 

[Wiebke]

So, I moved from the home they have known for about 2 years into a much different house. Everything about it is the opposite of where I was living before except that it is still very quiet. However, before they slept in the same room with me but now the rooms are smaller but with more of them their cage needs to go elsewhere, in their own whole room (that is also my exercise room so I am in there too sometimes for yoga).

I also changed the shape of their cage since I made it myself. I always wanted to change it into a funner shape for them since they love exploring a clean new cage, but there wasn't room in my room in the last house. So here is a picture to how I changed the cage shape. I will explain the other markings after:
View attachment 136522

The little part with the purple which is just more than 2 square feet is new. Before, it was only the large rectangle (about 10 square feet). They have only lived in this shape of cage while being at this house.

They only just moved in yesterday morning. I have been living with my boyfriend for some time, but I got them right before my state went on lock down so I could have them. However, since they moved in they have been at that purple circle... I mean all the time. I am wondering if this is normal for guinea pigs that move to another environment. Last night and this morning I did hear them moving around (houses banging against the side of the cage and chewing of their toys) but only a very little bit. There is poop everywhere so they did exit this area at some point. Just whenever I go past, see them, or rattle a bag of treats, they stay there. They also never ever cuddled before. For the 1.5 years I have had both, they have strongly tolerated each other'a presence... never ever cuddled. But now they are cuddled in that corner together.

I posted here because I figured it could be a mixture of stress plus they have this new small nook to hang out in which is comfy. I wondered if other people's guinea pigs reacted similar in a move.

Thank you!

Any new cage/environment is scary at first.
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

What you can do:
- use some soiled bedding to spread around the cage and wipe the cage with so it smells like 'their' territory, which makes it a lot safer immediately. We tend to underestimate the importance of scent, scent-marking etc. as it is not our strongest sense.

- sprinkle hideys around, about 1 ft apart so they safe bases to explore them that are close up enough for them to still see sharply when sitting in one. Anything above that distance is becoming blurry and a space where they react more to sudden movement.

- if you can, cover the cage with an old bed sheet or blanket to give your piggies a feeling of safety until they are comfortuable and familiar with their new home. Open spaces scream danger and exposure to predators to guinea pigs who have evolved in dense undergrowth and grasslands where they move around in runs. These instincts still run very deeply.

More information and helpful tips:
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Guinea Pig Facts - An Overview

 

[proudpigmom]

It would be really helpful if you could post a photo of their actual cage set up.
Is it quite sheltered and does it have lots of hides and tunnels or is it quite open?

Plus any move to a new environment is quite stressful, and it will take them a few days to settle.
Just make sure they can easily reach hay and water and have plenty of sheltered places ot hide and I am sure they will come around quite quickly.

It is quite open but they have one tunnel, one large castle hide (big enough for probably 3 pigs) and then one barn shaped hide that's meant for one pig, but that is the one they are cuddled in. Their hay and water in the same place in the cage it was before it moved and they have been eating their food and hay and drinking their water as normal. I think they are doing most of that at night when they cannot hear us walking about.

 

[proudpigmom]

Any new cage/environment is scary at first.
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

What you can do:
- use some soiled bedding to spread around the cage and wipe the cage with so it smells like 'their' territory, which makes it a lot safer immediately. We tend to underestimate the importance of scent, scent-marking etc. as it is not our strongest sense.

- sprinkle hideys around, about 1 ft apart so they safe bases to explore them that are close up enough for them to still see sharply when sitting in one. Anything above that distance is becoming blurry and a space where they react more to sudden movement.

- if you can, cover the cage with an old bed sheet or blanket to give your piggies a feeling of safety until they are comfortuable and familiar with their new home. Open spaces scream danger and exposure to predators to guinea pigs who have evolved in dense undergrowth and grasslands where they move around in runs. These instincts still run very deeply.

More information and helpful tips:
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Guinea Pig Facts - An Overview

Covering their cage is a good idea! Thank you for the information and suggestions

 

[Freela]

They are probably just nervous as they are in a new space and are being cautious. My pigs are very nervous when we move the same cage to a different location when we go to the cottage, even though it's literally the same cage they know that the outside environment is difficult. I bet once they warm up over the first few days they will really enjoy the new environment, but they're cautious little animals by nature!