Guinea Pigs Advice

[PearlandRubies194]

Hi, I have two boars (9 months old). I’ve no idea what’s wrong this past week but they’re extra hungry, extra tetchy... they have fresh hay, grass, veg and water each day. They’ve had a run around as I cleaned their cage today but almost immediately they’re wheeking for more food. They’ve been chewing the bars on the cage for about 30 mins but they’ve had food and eaten it all. Is this normal? I’m going to wait a couple more weeks and take them outside during the day, they’re indoor pigs and we’ve had a long hard winter so I’m wondering if they’re just bored?

I let them run around downstairs most days. I’m concerned about the extra hungriness and bar chewing. Any advice please?

[winesolveseverything]

Do you give them pellets?

Mine are just greedy. They'd eat all day if they could!
I sometimes buy the apple and banana hay stick things to occupy them a bit.. They also like dried dandelion leaves.. The local veg shop saves the carrot/radish tops that I can have for free. I find this mixes it up a bit for them.

They are out in the run for about 4 hours a day now the weather is milder. It's in the patio so no wet grass. That seems to have cheered them up a bit. They still sit and glare at me as tea time approaches though

[PearlandRubies194]

Oh my days - the pellets!! I’ve ran out for a few days (pay day next week so running low) - that’s what it is, they’ve always got a bowl full of them to nibble on in between!

I’m worried about putting them out as it’s still cold up here, I’ll wait a couple more weeks. I’ve just given them an extra bundle of hay and cuddles, they’re quiet for now! It’s defintelt the nuggets!

Thank you!

[fortifiedwithtea]

If you have a easy to clean floor you could give them a treasure hunt. When i had 3 I would hide bits of bell papper around the living room and let them find it. Millie and Shai used to guinea pig train (aka follow each other nose to bum) Coco was a loner and would go off on her own. Kept them amused when it was not garden weather.

[PearlandRubies194]

@fortifiedwithtea yes, we have the nose to bum train here too! They’re gorgeous but so gross! Our carpet is really old so I leave them out quite often, but it’s definately the nuggets that’s causing extra hungriness (or lack of nuggets!)

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

You need the nuggets , they are a good source of fibre and Vit C .

Piggies need Vit C they can't synthesise it , ( they can get scurvey if they're deficient)

We're waiting for a few nice days to let our piggie run about (she'll get an hour or so) .

[BrizzleMint]

Ours have been hungry more than usual recently.
OP whereabouts in the country are you? Maybe you are near somebody on here who could spare a few nuggets?

[FabulouslyFab]

Hello
I have been given a guinea pig and a small hutch. Apparently he bullies other GPs so has to live by himself 😢 (so said the pet shop and it must be right because they prefer to sell in pairs)
I was given a bag of pellets and bedding came in his hutch so I need to buy more today.
Can anyone advise what else I need to get please?

[labazsisgoingmad]

guinea pigs can be greedy but pellets are a good staple they need every day i give mine hay to eat veg and fruit too its getting near time to put mine out as well which i think they will enjoy much more its been a long winter

[HoraceCope]

i put mine out when the temperature is double figures and no rain forecast.

[Enb76]

Also have two boars and they’re outdoor pigs and have the run of the garden all year round. They’re currently tetchy because it’s Spring and mating season. One of mine thinks the other looks like fair game and the spend a fair amount of time racing around after each other and getting cross.
Mine are permanently hungry regardless of how much food they have to hand.

[FabulouslyFab]

I don’t have grass - my garden is paved. If I get an outside run is he ok to be out on the hard surface?

[HoraceCope]

I knew someone who would put down loads of hay in the outside run

[HoraceCope]

but wont the paved area get a bit hot? be aware of that

[FabulouslyFab]

Thank you! I’ll not leave him out when I am not home so will keep an eye on that.

[labazsisgoingmad]

if you dont want to put hay in the cage on the patio put a fleece down on the base then some goodies to eat they will love it

[FabulouslyFab]

Oh, great idea. Thanks 👍
I’m quite sad at the thought of him being an ‘only’ pig. Do you think I woud be able to introduce another one if he has been a bully previously?

[polarpig]

Wooden chew toys, places to hide and plenty of hay to keep him warm. Also seriously consider having him in a cage in the house as they are very sociable creatures.

[polarpig]

Oh and we've successfully introduced new pigs by using a c and c cage with a barrier down the middle which we gradually removed,

[FabulouslyFab]

Thanks for the advice @polarpig 👍

[PearlandRubies194]

I’m so sorry I hadn’t replied to your messages when I posted back in April; I didn’t receive notifications. I’m pleased to report that as soon as I stocked up on nuggets, both boars were much better! I buy huge bags now and they last a month.

We’ve just been dealing with another issue - mites! Very costly, I’ve been using spot-on treatment at home but it didn’t do the trick. We’ve been to the vets for a stronger strength treatment. I hope it kicks in soon.

Nothing can be seen in their fur, both looking well, eating well and temperament are fine. But the scratching isn’t pleasant to see, never mind how it must be for them.

They’re indoor pigs and we’ve no other pets so they must have come from the hay?