Guinea Pig Stress!

[sugaryouth20]

Hi all,

So we had 2 male Guinea Pigs in the garden. They’d lived together since we got them and no issues. Really large hutch with a run, lots of things for them to do inside it, kept clean, warm and secure.
We recently noticed holes coming from a neighbours side of the fence where they have a DIY veg patch right beside our fence and one of our piggies suddenly was found passed in the hutch. We couldn’t work out at first why as no signs of illness etc but today we noticed 3 rats coming from their garden into ours, had got into the hutch and started (horrified!) panicking that is what had killed him with rats being diggers. We raced outside to scare them off and we’ve now brought the other one inside; but it’s only to an indoor cage and now I’m overrun with questions and thoughts.

• With Guineas being social, we want to get him a companion. How do we do that safely, would he accept another male?

• Panicking he’s been infected by something off the rats as also have a toddler!

• How do you make an indoor set up more liveable / exciting when he’s been used to having so much space?

What do your indoor set ups look like?

Thank you - I feel absolutely awful

Oh no. I’m so sorry.

Yes rats are buggers. Especially when food is sparse in the winter.
Have a look on Pinterest. Most pigs seem to be kept inside now so there’s loads of c and c set up ideas.

How old is the pig? Some seem to be ok on their own, others not so much. It may be worth a check over at the vets just to put your mind at ease.

Thank you - I’ve never been as horrified as seeing the awful things scurrying about the hutch whilst piggy was trying to run away.

He’s not 1 yet, approximately 8-9 months I’d say, we’ve had him from a small baby. I’m just letting him acclimatise at the moment, he’s in a quiet area with his favourite things to hopefully help him calm down after his ordeal!

Oh no. Sorry to hear that. I actually find my guinea pigs love being in a run outside, I would put him out in the run as much as he can tolerate re. cold during the day, but don't feed him in it and feed him inside at night, that way the rats won't be attracted. C and C s are great but maybe tricky as not toddler proof at all, but hopefully you have a very well behaved toddler. It can be tricky introducing males but you can't keep him on his own for the rest of his life. Maybe try with a baby male? Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

I wouldn’t in and out him at the moment even during the day. I think the general rule is they are in or out in the winter and a lone pig in this weather would freeze out there.

He’s still young so you might manage to introduce another.

I had one come in after his brother died and lived for years inside really happily.
You could c and c on top of a sideboard, or have a look at kavee (cheaper ones are available!) they have pictures where they’ve built stands and lids.
The good thing about 1 is not needing a huge amount of space