I brought home a little 6 week old gpig home from our local humane society today and after a quick sidetrip to the vet's for a well piggy check-up, I took her straight home to her new cage. I'd already had it set up with food, water and a sleeping hut that she dashed right into and is pretty much staying there except for quick trip or so out to eat a little and drink some out of her waterbottle. Any suggestions would be appreiciated.
Answers:
Guinea pigs are very social creatures, they enjoy the presence of other guinea pigs and humans, They can also see color, so any colored toys (I use bird toys) will give her a little light on her life. Things to chew on such as chew woods, carrots, lettuce (green leaf) wiill occupy her time. They LOVE to Chew and put things in their mouth. Make sure the cage is adequate, Guinea pigs require alot of space to move. They also need alot of vitamin C which they can not produce on their own so alot of vegetables high in vitamin C is good such as red peppers.
Spending time with her daily will allow her to get used to your sent, which is how they recognize you when you come to them. They require at least an hour a day if not more, they also require exercise. Find a secure supervised spot that she can run around in after she gets used to the cage.
It will take time for her to get used to her surroundings but she iwll come out they are shy at first but they are then wonderful pets
Well, you don't say how big the cage is. It should be as big as you can possibly provide. Some extra huts and even toys might help. But she is probably hiding because she doesn't know what's going on and she's scared. She should calm down, especially if you take her out and handle her a lot.
The best thing, though, is another guinea pig. They really don't like to live alone. We got one a couple of years ago and it turned out to be pregnant. She had 2 babies, and one did not live the day. The other lived about a year. I think possibly both were very inbred. The original piggie is still fine and healthy but she was very inactive for a while after both her babies died. She didn't perk up until we got another one from the animal shelter. Now they run around and squeal and popcorn jump and she seems much happier and healthier.
If you do get another, make SURE it's a girl also!
Good luck!
First, kudos to you for adopting her AND also taking her to the vet for a checkup! That's wonderful.
That said, I imagine that she's scared stiff right now. It will take a little time for her to come out of her shell. Have patience and persistence with her - try keeping your hand in the cage when you give her her veggies. Take her out often and hold her in your lap - maybe hold her with a towel or blanket so she has somewhere to burrow (and you have something to catch any stray poos or pees that might come your way). Have you considered adding another girl piggie as a cagemate? Guinea pigs tend to do better in pairs. Keep in mind that by nature guinea pigs are prey animals - bigger animals hunt and eat them in the wild. Thus, guinea pigs tend to be very skittsh and scared of just about anything that moves...at first. Give her time. She'll soon figure out that you're not there to hurt her.
It is great that you have got a guinea pig. Once settled she should become very interactive and an awesome cuddly, companion.
You are already doing a great job, not only do you have a rescued piggy, you have taken her to the vet and to top it off you had already set up her cage before buying her.
Make sure that she is in a quite but busy part of the house so that she can get used to you and the rest of the family.
Offer her some fresh produce, toys and after a few hours you can try your first cuddle. Using a towel gently scoop her up and clutch her to your chest.
Guinea pigs are herd animals by nature so they often do better in pairs. You can wait a few weeks if you wish but it is better for your new companion.
Wait a day or so before introducing things like the brush, floor time (which should be done daily) and other family members.
Slowly but surely she will learn to trust you and everyone else in your family.
Good Luck!!
Although I am sure that you want to see your guinea pig, it's best to put a bowl of food and water into the hut area. This way, your guinea pig doesn't have to be scared every time he/she is hungrey. Your guinea pig will come out on his/her own time, it might be a couple of days or even a week. But, remember, only pick up your guinea pig if he/she has come out of the hutch area.
I hope that this helps answer your question! If you have any other questions, you can email me at: pethelper4@yahoo.com!
yes.
She is probably just getting used to her new surrondings. And for what ever reason she was at the humane society she might be afraid of people. just give her a little time to adjust and she should be fine.
my gp did that also when i first brought him home, I just let him get use to our voices and his new surroundings untill he got use to us
i used to have a guniea pig. and he would stay in his hut too. try and take the hut out for a while maybe about a week or a couple of days so he/she can get used to who walks or passes by and look at there faces. hold he/she everyday so she/he gets used to your face and smell. after a while once she/he hears someone walk by she/he will run of of the hut thats what mine did :]
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