Guinea Pig Worries

[GuineaPigWorries]

I have a bit of a dilemma I'm trying to resolve.

My friend and neighbour acquired two Guinea pigs about a year ago for her children. I think the children have since lost interest and one of the piggies died about six months ago. Now the single pig is outside in a rabbit hutch.

Recently I looked after her pets while she went on holiday and started reading up on Guinea pigs and their needs. About how they shouldn't be kept alone. I quickly went to buy hay as the piggie hadn't got any apart from some old bedding.

I've been dropping hints ever since that I am going to get my own Guinea pigs and how hers could live with mine and I've been sharing 'the things I've found out' while getting ready for rescuing some piggies but it has all fallen on deaf ears. I don't want to lose our friendship but I'm out of ideas what to do. Please help.

[SapphireSeptember]

She's clearly not looking after the wee creature. Could you kidnap him and make it look like a fox has got in? They're better off kept inside, especially if they're by themselves, otherwise they get very lonely. 😟

[greengreengrass25]

Please take GP in. Such a shame.

They need company and interaction

[GuineaPigWorries]

@SapphireSeptember we have considered this! But if she finds out in theory it would be theft I suppose. I really don't know what to do. I can't figure out how to rescue the GP and to keep our friendship intact.

[MrsSkylerWhite]

greengreengrass25 · Today 11:29
Please take GP in. Such a shame.

They need company and interaction”

Though males can become very aggressive towards each other.

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

Having no hay is far more serious than being alone or outside. He could go in to gut stasis very quickly and if he survives that longer term, his teeth could overgrow leaving him unable to eat anything else. She’s clearly not listening and not bothered so in all honestly, in this situation, I would take the Guinea Pig asap before it’s too late. And I wouldn’t be particularly concerned about the ‘friendship’.

[greengreengrass25]

Yes boars can fight

Even if he/she was alone human interaction would be better than the current situation

Ours tended to be in the house

[GuineaPigWorries]

They refer to the GP as she but as they were bought from a pet shop that's not necessarily accurate!

[Crabapple04]

That's true, mis-sexing is a common problem, and you know what happens then!!

The poor piggy just needs to find a friend they're compatible with. A rescue centre is a good place to start anyway regardless if boar or sow. As long as they have plenty of space eg 6-7ft size hutch or 180x77cm c&c indoor enclosure is good for 2 boars who are territorial which is why they would fight. Slightly smaller is fine for 2 sows or 1 sow with 1 boar. Ferplast plaza cages are good too if you can get the largest size 160 or 180 cm I think for 2 piggies /3 sows.

You can never give a guinea pig enough hay, must be unlimited as that's what they need to eat most of, so important for their gut health as well as teeth. Fresh veggies come second ( lettuce (not Iceberg), cucumber, coriander, peppers, the odd french bean and celery ) I don't feed carrot often or fruit is a rare treat as they are high in sugar for piggies. Some greens are high in calcium eg spinach/kale as piggies can be prone to bladder stones. Other greens can give them bloat too so only fed sparingly. Nuggets are what they should eat least of, I don't give a muesli mix as they would eat selectively then.

You could volunteer to take the single piggy, if they don't care much for it why would they mind if you are offering a home and a friend?

[Swingoutsistersledge2]

We had 2 piggies, and Coco bullied and attacked the other one, Annie. We decided not to get another to be bullied as she is very dominant. She lives in our kitchen and is very happy. She gets loads of attention and treats and seems very happy popcorning her days away.

[Beamur]

Poor little piggy.
Can you just ask her straight up? Say you enjoyed looking after the GP and can you have her? Neighbours little girl can come round anytime to see her?
The solitary piggy would be less if an issue if kept properly and had lots of human interaction.

[GuineaPigWorries]

Thank you all for your replies. We really appreciate it. We have done exactly as @Beamur suggested and we are now taking steps to implement all of @Crabapple04's advice regarding diet etc.

She really is a cutie and popcorns like crazy when we clean and refill her hay box daily 😍

[SapphireSeptember]

So she's yours now? If so that's fantastic! ❤️ I love guinea pigs. Squeak Dreams on YouTube is very good for guinea pig information. 😊

[Crabapple04]

That's really good news that you have adopted the little piggie, sounds like she's settled in well already and happy to hear she's popcorning!!

[NeedTheSeaside]

oi. There's a tax to be paid you know! You can't just post Willy nilly without paying!!

(photos!!)

[Beamur]

Lovely news. Well done - you will be rewarded with fun and love ♥️