Emma85
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi all
I'm after some advice regarding our new guinea pig. He came home with us yesterday and seemed to settle well yesterday, enjoying exploring his new home and eating and drinking.
Graham is 7/8 months old and we were told at pets at home (where purchased) that he would only be sold on his own as he has had companions and would be dominating and not share food.
So today after leaving him 24 hours, we scooped up the wet sawdust (he does it in the same corner) and poos and replaced the area with fresh sawdust, then placed green beans, butternut squash and red pepper in his veg bowl. He has water and nuggets too.
My son fed him a green beans. He ate half then he ate a chunk of butternut squash. All happy.
We decided to try and handle Graham (the 24 hours have passed). My husband and I spent a good 20 minutes trying to catch him to hold him. My husband eventually got him and Graham wriggled and wanted to be free, so he gently put him back. This was very different to the elegant way the staff member at pets at home picked him up and nursed him beautifully.
Since then, poor Graham has been in hiding. We went out for few hours to give him some peace. When we came home he was still hiding and hadn't eaten any food. I managed to feed him hay and some nuggets by placing them just by the entrance of where he is hiding. Otherwise I don't think he would've eaten.
What shall we do? Do we leave him to settle, try to hold him again (using the method advised on here, lifting him while he is in his tube).
Part of me is wondering whether he come out to feed early evening. Perhaps this is his feeding time? Yesterday it was around 7pm when he had a feast on his food.
I'm just worried that we have frightened him by being a little unsure/nervous ourselves with handling him.
Any advice would be most welcomed.
I'm after some advice regarding our new guinea pig. He came home with us yesterday and seemed to settle well yesterday, enjoying exploring his new home and eating and drinking.
Graham is 7/8 months old and we were told at pets at home (where purchased) that he would only be sold on his own as he has had companions and would be dominating and not share food.
So today after leaving him 24 hours, we scooped up the wet sawdust (he does it in the same corner) and poos and replaced the area with fresh sawdust, then placed green beans, butternut squash and red pepper in his veg bowl. He has water and nuggets too.
My son fed him a green beans. He ate half then he ate a chunk of butternut squash. All happy.
We decided to try and handle Graham (the 24 hours have passed). My husband and I spent a good 20 minutes trying to catch him to hold him. My husband eventually got him and Graham wriggled and wanted to be free, so he gently put him back. This was very different to the elegant way the staff member at pets at home picked him up and nursed him beautifully.
Since then, poor Graham has been in hiding. We went out for few hours to give him some peace. When we came home he was still hiding and hadn't eaten any food. I managed to feed him hay and some nuggets by placing them just by the entrance of where he is hiding. Otherwise I don't think he would've eaten.
What shall we do? Do we leave him to settle, try to hold him again (using the method advised on here, lifting him while he is in his tube).
Part of me is wondering whether he come out to feed early evening. Perhaps this is his feeding time? Yesterday it was around 7pm when he had a feast on his food.
I'm just worried that we have frightened him by being a little unsure/nervous ourselves with handling him.
Any advice would be most welcomed.