New Guinea pigs - help / reassurance needed?

[4yoniD]

Picked up 2 GPs yesterday (our first - can you tell ). They are 3 months old and from a reputable breeder. Sisters. They ran off when I put them into their cage - one into the biggest house and one round the back of the house. After nearly 2 hours neither had moved so I repositioned the house so both GPs were in it (in case they thought they were alone). Neither has left their house yet. They may have eaten some of the hay in the house, but this morning I moved the food to right by the house and put fresh food half in half out the house, but they haven't touched it. I'm worried they are starving themselves. Have left message for breeder hoping for advice. I know they were outside in a hutch before, but I have them in an indoor cage (with lots of hay and several hiding places). They looked perfectly healthy when I got them, although not overly tame.

Squeeee piggies.

First of all- perfectly normal that they will hide. They are prey animals, everything (including you) is out to make them into lunch (in their opinion)

They need to feel secure and they won't do this exposed, so they hide.

They will eat but move the food away from the housedoor - one might trap the other in the house either deliberately or accidently while eating. One of your pigs will be the dominant one, you'll see their personalities (piganalities ) emerge over time.

They will know each other is there, they'll wheek or chirp to each other.
(My three sleep in separate 'housies' they seem to like their space but need each other for company)

And - they will scarper when you approach. Normal
They might not drink- normal but always offer water daily.
You may well find by morning the food has been taken, piggies are crepuscular (dawn/dusk active) but they'll be awake by day and catnap .

Our GP5 has only just settled in the last couple of weeks, we've had her and GP4 for 5 weeks now (to match with GP3-now neutered)

So they all differ but food and patience is the way.
It's all new to them, Guineas are the most defenceless small pet. They don't jump, climb,bite,kick out. Their chubby little shapes mean they can't strike out. So, they hide.

(Though my boar kicks )

Phew, they are marginally improved - have been out their house at night and nibbled around, and are eating food put in their house - one less worry for me

Give it a few days and you'll be scratching your head as to where they put all that food
The answer will be in all the droppings they produce

Have you scooped them up for a hug (that's the next step that'll have you cursing)

OOh quick hijack. Want to get guinea pigs for ds2's birthday and a friend has offered me her pet pod like this

She has kept guinea pigs before, but I am slightly concerned that a) there is only one room, so the pigs couldn't get their own space (could cut holes in 2 shoe boxes so that there are 2 'rooms' inside, I guess) and b) that the preditor proof run has a wire bottom, which won't be comfy for their little feet - am I going to spend a fortune on hay to spread over the bars??

Not a disaster if I have to buy another run, but do like being able to keep them outside for most of the year in it.

Any advice most welcome (sorry for the hijack) Thanks

Hi longtall - those pods look a bit like Eglu / Omlet.

They are designed to be warm in winter/ cool in summer and fox proof.
As they're plastic, easier to clean but I don't know if they'd get condensation in them.

As you say, they're not very big ,but if you can put a housie inside, they can hide if they want to.
The wire base is a pain, but if you covered it in hay they wouldn't get the grass.

I think for all year round the pod wouldn't give them enough space TBH, they won't go out in bad weather like rabbits do. (Shouldn't go out in bad weather, their tummies shouldn't get chilled or wet)

You could try it as a summer/spring/early autumn house though, but if you remove the wire base, you'd need to peg it down to the lawn (I use tent pegs on our run)

How old is your DS? Does he want guinea-pigs or are they family pets ?
Good Luck

Thanks. I think we can adapt it a bit and see how it goes - perhaps a cardboard/hay 'footpath' over the wire and then they can still get to the grass around. If it doesn't work out, we can get a wooden hutch and I can get bantams for my pod

Didn't know that they shouldn't go out in bad weather. How about if I cover the run with a plastic table cloth. Can I use shredded paper instead of hay, if I am covering a large area?

ds2 is 11 but fairly asthmatic, so we are hoping to keep the gpigs outdoors most of the year, then get a smaller hutch to come in the conservatory in winter. He would love a cat or dog but is very happy with the idea of guinea pigs for now, as long as he can handle them lots/teach them to cuddle/sit on his lap now and then.

Even if you cover part of the wire they'll still walk on the wire (they aren't very bright but their stomachs always over ride sense)

They aren't really well adapted to UK weather, it's damp compared to South America (though mine haven't been further south than Kent )
Even if you cover the run, the grass will still be damp.
Ours live in a wooden Pighouse (my DC old playhouse) but in winter they come inside at night and have a little heater for day time.
They need hay - it's vital for their digestion. Shredded paper is ok as bedding but it isn't as insulating as hay, and no nutritional value.

If your DS is asthmatic then he might be sensitive to the hay or the pigs themselves.
My DD was fine with GP1/GP2 but when we got GP3 we found out she is allergic to his fur (hes a coarse coated Rex) . Our GP4/GP5 are smooth girls, she's fine with them.

Can you Pig Sit for a while to check he's okay? And with different coat types? (Our Rex is a lovely big bolshy boy, DD gets a rash, not any breathing problems, but I cuddle him more because of this)
Good Luck.