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Original poster

Help re my New Guinea pigs!

26 replies

MrsBungle · 03/08/2014 19:42

We adopted 2 male Guinea pigs yesterday from a rescue. They were rescued from someone who was going to use them as live snake food Shock Sad I've no idea where they came from before that and not sure if it's relevant.

The rescue owner said that they've lived together happily for 3 months and are bonded.

We brought them home yesterday and they don't seem very bonded. One is bigger - he is around 18 months and the smaller one is 10 months. The big one has been chasing, teeth chattering and seems to have nipped (I heard the little one squeal) twice.

The rest of the time they hide in separate houses in their indoor cage. We've had them out twice today for a cuddle and they're friendly enough with us although seem a bit scared.

I've had dogs and cats before but never guinea pigs. I've read that they can try to establish the dominance heirarchy when they move house. When do you think that will settle down? Does this seem like what it is? I contacted the rescue owner and she said it is but I'm just worried the big one will hurt the little one and I don't want them to be scared!

Any advice appreciated!

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Original poster
MrsBungle · 03/08/2014 19:44

Sorry that was quite long!

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FernieB · 03/08/2014 23:00

Well done for rescuing the pigs and congrats on being a pig mum!

They are a bit scared (new home etc) but pigs think with their tummys, and will soon learn to associate you with tasty treats. It won't be long before they get excited to hear you approaching. They will spend a large amount of time in separate houses (my boys have been together over 3 years and are mainly apart). There will also be the odd scuffle (again mine still do this) - as long as no blood is drawn leave them to it. If mine are especially grumpy with each other I throw in some parsley as a distraction.

It's early days yet. They will settle down. Lots of yummy food will help.

Original poster
MrsBungle · 04/08/2014 07:20

Oh thank you so much. It's nice to have some reassurance. There's definitely been no blood, I have been checking the little one - I just feel so sorry for him being bullied and want them to be happy! They have names now - Olaf (little one) and Sven (big one), it's obvious dd has named them!

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FernieB · 04/08/2014 10:30

Love the names. Grin

FernieB · 04/08/2014 10:34

It's a good idea to get them out in a run as much as possible as it can tire them out (fresh air and grass) so they have less energy to be aggressive. Also make sure you chop veg up so they can both take a bit each - GPs are not great at sharing.

Original poster
MrsBungle · 04/08/2014 11:31

Great, I'll put them out in the run today. I have been chopping veg and putting it near their respective houses.

Can I ask one more question? I've not seen either of them drink water from the bottle. I filled it again last night and it looks like none is gone. Should I do something? The spout sticks out low down enough I think.

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fortifiedwithtea · 04/08/2014 12:15

When I had boars they never drank from a bottle or even a bowl. It made going away on holiday very stressful for me. I worried about them being left thirsty all the time. They had plenty of wee output. They must have got all their liquid from their veg. I gave them extra wet veg and cucumber to compensate.

My first two sows only drank from a bowl. Then when 2 new rescue sows come home they showed my bereaved piggy girl how to drink from a bottle.

If I were you, I would keep going with the bottle and fingers crossed they will start to use it. However, if they don't, its not unusual just a pain in the bum.

Original poster
MrsBungle · 04/08/2014 12:57

Oh thanks fortified. They have been having cumcumber. I'll monitor the bottle.

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FernieB · 04/08/2014 14:04

Did they have a bottle at the rescue? If so then they know how to use it. Mine hardly drink at all. Scruffypig has a go sometimes but I think that's only cos he likes the noise Grin

Original poster
MrsBungle · 04/08/2014 14:57

Yes I think they did have one at the rescue. I'll stop worrying about that then! thanks for your help. I'm now off to peruse the "entertaining your guinea pigs thread" for if they ever come out of their houses Thanks

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alemci · 04/08/2014 16:32

yes they love ting tinging, notice they drink more when older.

snake food indeedSad

I'm sure they will settle down. pigless now and miss them so much.

Original poster
MrsBungle · 04/08/2014 19:53

Well they both had quite a big drink from the water bottle this afternoon so that's good.

I put them out in the run for a couple of hours, the little one (Olaf Grin ) seemed to quite like it. Sven hid in his house the whole time!

I also noticed a tiny wee cut on the outside of olaf's ear which I assume came from Sven. Does this mean I should separate them? I also noticed in his ear is some dried blood and a little black lump inside. I didn't want to hurt him, I wonder what it could be? Maybe I shoukd take him to a vet.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/08/2014 20:10

A chewed ear isn't a huge deal for boars , lots of Rescue Boars have ears like confetti.

They are going through huge adjustments and changes , give them time and let them have the space to respect each others need for Boar Space.

I used to feel really sorry for my boars sometimes, they needed each other but didn't like being up close. Our bolshy younger pig used to hog (get it Grin ) the haybox while our older boy had a wicker hedgehog house. I used to put a rubber trug over it with hay in the space, and lined inside with hay. He loved it .

They're only meant to separate if they draw arterial blood Shock

You could try bathing them to make them smell the same (if you feel brave Wink )

GothMummy · 04/08/2014 20:17

Hi there, sorry that you are having problems with your new guinea pigs. Male pigs will usually squabble every time they are in a new environment as they are fighting for territory. If they draw blood, or lunge towards each with teeth showing then please separate by (you may need gloves to avoid a bad bite!).

Good luck, and I hope they settle down.

FernieB · 04/08/2014 20:33

My Smoothpig has a small chunk missing from his ear thanks to Scruffy. They do still have the odd scuffle - actually have been quite aggressive with each other over the last 2 days. I tend to leave them to it - throw food in as a distraction. The only time I intervened was when they were rolling round on the floor biting at each other and then it was a towel thrown over them. Never go in with your hands as they can give a nasty nip.

Incidentally my boys had been separated for a few weeks prior to the rolling episode (Smooth had had an injury and needed to recuperate alone) so the fight was part of their reintroduction process.

Original poster
MrsBungle · 04/08/2014 21:06

Thanks everyone. I've no idea why I'm so nervous! I think it's cause they are so small. I'm used to big lolloping weimaraners!

Shock at arterial blood! I'll leave them to it bit keep an eye on them. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to bath them yet! Although the little one will come to us no problem now.

damn my not being nervous didn't last long, big Sven just entered little olaf's house and Olaf is making little crying noises so I jumped out of my seat,

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FernieB · 04/08/2014 21:30

Bathing requires a lot of tasty bribes as does claw clipping.

They'll be fine - it just takes time.

Original poster
MrsBungle · 04/08/2014 22:16

Thank you fernie x

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Original poster
MrsBungle · 05/08/2014 16:32

Thought I would put up a couple of pics, this is Olaf

Help re my New Guinea pigs!
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Original poster
MrsBungle · 05/08/2014 16:33

And this is Sven the bully

Help re my New Guinea pigs!
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fortifiedwithtea · 05/08/2014 17:15

OMG Shock You are responsible for so much squealing in the Fortified household Grin

Olaf and Sven are so cute, DD2 has just done my ears in Smile

Original poster
MrsBungle · 05/08/2014 17:59

Grin yes they are very cute. Sven especially looks like butter wouldn't melt whilst he attempts to murder poor Olaf they seem to be getting on better today thank goodness!

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Original poster
MrsBungle · 05/08/2014 18:00

And here's one more of Sven

Help re my New Guinea pigs!
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UterusUterusGhali · 05/08/2014 21:48

Is that a baby towel repurposed for pets?
I'm using my old terry nappies as a handy pig-sized towel when the DC hold them. Grin

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/08/2014 22:15

Aww lovely boys Grin (pink ears, pink feet, hopefully pink claws - makes for easier claw cutting).

YY to recycling towels ( I bought some thick white handtowels -reduced- in Tesco for GP3 when he was neutered)
They are now piggie cuddle towels (though weirdly, our sows haven't peed on us yet . They save it for their newspaper - Good Girls )