alpacasqueak
Forum Donator 2022/23
Bullying? - new bond
- Thread starter Little Ones
- Start date
alpacasqueak
Forum Donator 2022/23
Yes it’s sad you can just pop out and grab a little animal’s life on a whim like people do! I feel like that with my fish, as we don’t really have rescues in this country for them, but hopefully some people do think before they buy sometimes!Thank you all for the supportYou're all so right though too, BB’s needs had to come first.
I know that BB would always have been a difficult case when it came to bonding outside of his comfort zone - aka two of the bedrooms. I read somewhere on a guide that if the mum was very stressed whilst pregnant and nursing, some piggies sort of hold onto it all their lives and will resort to their prey animal instincts in unfamiliar environments. I definitely think that’s the case with BB. With his breed too, I’ve always suspected his original owners got him from a Californian pig breeder before he ended up at a rescue. I think when people breed to get a specific look, they usually aren’t good owners/breeders as they care more about the appearance of the animal in order to make the most money. I don’t support breeding to start with, but there’s something about people breeding pedigree guinea pigs that feels weird to me.
One of the vet practices I rang early this morning gave me a number for her friend who might have some piggies. We sent them a text and they ended up being breeders who also take part in piggy shows, their main interests were in breeding satins and satin carriers into piggies! That made me feel a bit sick to be honest. But it made sense seeing as they probably like the glossy coat for pig shows.
No idea what to call baby pig yet. Any suggestions would be good, I hate naming boys lol - and they’re all I’ve had to name.
Baby pig is a cute lil guy though, he looks like a mouse right now rather than a guinea pig! He’s constantly making noises when he’s roaming around the cage. He and BB are always following each other. If baby pig comes out of a hidey, BB will do the same and vice versa. They will also share the same food dish with their faces pressed together, it’s so sweet. Right now baby pig is scared of movement, BB is a bit like this still too. When everyone is still, baby will do his zoomies and walk around and things but when people start moving he goes into his hidey. It makes it a bit difficult to grab some nice pictures but I imagine in the next few weeks he’ll come out of his shell a bit more. I really never thought they sold piggies this small. I don’t go into pet shops very much at all. It makes me think that Little and Honey were probably about 14 weeks when i got them. Maybe even more. They were about the size of my whole hand. Baby pig is 8-10 weeks and is the size of my palm! It’ll be interesting to see how he grows over the weeks.
I think I’ll be wondering about that cute little grey piggy for a while, he was just the sweetest. If he weren’t top pig, he’d have been mine. As soon as he emerged from the hidey, I said “awww that one!” the same time as my mum said “not that one!” She isn’t keen on the red eyes, but it didn’t bother me. I hope he goes somewhere nice, you just never know do you? I think p@h are trying to make sure piggies are getting their welfare needs met, especially when they said they’re leaving the last two together and not splitting them. I hope that’s the case. It kind of baffled me though that they were only giving me a single because I had a single already but didn’t want any sort of proof. It really made me realise how easy it is to just go out and buy a pet.
Aliona was like a feral baby when she arrived as not much handling, even now she’s the best pig in the house for nail trims, really because she’s terrified and gets the ‘fear’ look in her eyes poor girly, so it’s always very quick and takes a while for her to get over. She still very rarely eats anything when on my knee etc and she’s been here nearly a year. Definitely depends on their experiences in their past or maybe just their personalities, maybe not even their breeding, as Jasper and Luigi were both pet shop pigs before I adopted/rehomed but both overflowing with confidence!
He sounds tiny! Let us know how much he weighs in the future, Cleo was 670g last weigh in and she’s around 3months now! Really hope baby pig brings out some confidence in BB and they can explore and have fun together! Xx
alpacasqueak
Forum Donator 2022/23
Sorry, Aliona wasn’t actually a baby when she came, think she’s at least 2 and a half/3 now! Just acted that way so scared of hoomans!
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
With cases like BB and Aliona, it’s awful when you realise they must’ve been this terrified their entire lives. You expect the little babies to be the scared ones that are afraid of just being alive, not the ones that are 1+ years old. I suppose that’s what happens when they’re not looked after properly.
I could be wrong but I think pet shops choose breeders which meet certain welfare standards? I should hope so, anyway. I don’t visit pet shops regularly but you always see a variety of colourings/fur types in the same pen which makes me think the breeders just breed them to look however they end up looking rather than being so focused on getting pedigree babies just because they probably sell for a lot more online. Pet shop breeders already have their ‘supplier’ so don’t have to work for a sell, if you get me. I agree though that they’re all very different in their personalities. Especially when you are dealing with prey animals and their default instinct is more of less to be petrified. I imagine when it’s been the default instinct for many years, like Aliona, it’s a tough habit to break. I think she’ll get there though the longer you have her. I’ve been lucky with all mine before BB, especially Little. He was curling around to go to sleep on my lap the first day we got him! Some of them are just absolute softies at heart.
Baby pig is light as a feather, he’s far too jumpy though to weigh. I’m interested in how much it is. When you hold him, he’s not the type to freeze but to absolutely bolt away. Maybe next week he’ll have calmed a bit and we can get a good weight on him?
Managed to score this picture right before baby pig started popcorning like crazy!
I could be wrong but I think pet shops choose breeders which meet certain welfare standards? I should hope so, anyway. I don’t visit pet shops regularly but you always see a variety of colourings/fur types in the same pen which makes me think the breeders just breed them to look however they end up looking rather than being so focused on getting pedigree babies just because they probably sell for a lot more online. Pet shop breeders already have their ‘supplier’ so don’t have to work for a sell, if you get me. I agree though that they’re all very different in their personalities. Especially when you are dealing with prey animals and their default instinct is more of less to be petrified. I imagine when it’s been the default instinct for many years, like Aliona, it’s a tough habit to break. I think she’ll get there though the longer you have her. I’ve been lucky with all mine before BB, especially Little. He was curling around to go to sleep on my lap the first day we got him! Some of them are just absolute softies at heart.
Baby pig is light as a feather, he’s far too jumpy though to weigh. I’m interested in how much it is. When you hold him, he’s not the type to freeze but to absolutely bolt away. Maybe next week he’ll have calmed a bit and we can get a good weight on him?
Managed to score this picture right before baby pig started popcorning like crazy!
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
That's what I thought! Neapolitan ice cream - that 3 coloured one.
How about Neo as a name then... like from the Matrix - especially as he's turned out to be 'The One'
Seriously, I'm so pleased for you. He might be a pain in the BBuns as a cage-mate but I bet he's going to be a great dad x
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
We actually thought about Neo too after the ice cream comment! It’s a contender that’s for sure. We don’t really have much else. My mum wants to call him Dash or Chip whereas I haven’t thought of any yet.That's what I thought! Neapolitan ice cream - that 3 coloured one.
How about Neo as a name then... like from the Matrix - especially as he's turned out to be 'The One'
Seriously, I'm so pleased for you. He might be a pain in the BBuns as a cage-mate but I bet he's going to be a great dad x
Lol so true, when BB was with Little, BB seemed active. This baby makes BB look like a couch potato! He’s very inquisitive and a bit naughty. He likes to steal hay right from BB’s mouth. BB just sits there and lets him, though. It’s so sweet
We thought BB might make a good adoptive father. He’s looking after him, baby piggy is very excitable. As I’m writing this, he’s speed zooming around the cage!
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
Things are all still going well for everyone,
Little and Digby had their first floortime together. Little was apprehensive at first because of his past experiences with BB. After a minute or two, he became more comfortable. After about half an hour though, Digby wanted to play with Little but touched his butt with his nose which sent Little into a freak out (BB would do that and chase him like crazy). After that he didn’t seem as into the floortime, but the main thing is that Digby isn’t actually trying to get or chase Little and with time, Little will realise that.
BB and baby are both doing well together. Baby pig loves doing zoomies, he will also run into BB then take off running again with BB playfully running after him for a couple of seconds until baby pig runs into him again and then the whole thing is repeated. It’s absolutely adorable to watch and BB looks like he’s enjoying himself.
Here they are enjoying the carrot cottage. I didn’t think BB liked the carrot part at all until baby pig came along, now they like to sit and eat it together!
Little and Digby had their first floortime together. Little was apprehensive at first because of his past experiences with BB. After a minute or two, he became more comfortable. After about half an hour though, Digby wanted to play with Little but touched his butt with his nose which sent Little into a freak out (BB would do that and chase him like crazy). After that he didn’t seem as into the floortime, but the main thing is that Digby isn’t actually trying to get or chase Little and with time, Little will realise that.
BB and baby are both doing well together. Baby pig loves doing zoomies, he will also run into BB then take off running again with BB playfully running after him for a couple of seconds until baby pig runs into him again and then the whole thing is repeated. It’s absolutely adorable to watch and BB looks like he’s enjoying himself.
Here they are enjoying the carrot cottage. I didn’t think BB liked the carrot part at all until baby pig came along, now they like to sit and eat it together!
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
The boys have had a good day today.
BB did his first wheek today! BB has been with us since the 7th of November but today was the very first time. It might even have been the first wheek of his entire life, too. I think baby pig is playing a big part in this, he’s also had BB popcorning. BB absolutely adores him, he lets him get away with just about everything. If baby pig wants BB’s hidey then he gets BB’s hidey. If baby pig wants the food from BB’s mouth then he will get it. It’s so precious to see.
Digby also popcorned today, hes done it a couple of times since we’ve had him but today it was a proper popcorn, like the ones that baby pig does. Very adorable.
I do have one area of concern, we noticed it after having Digby for a day or two. He has what we call ‘moments’. It’s sort of like his brain stops working for a couple of minutes. He’ll just sit in place and stare, sometimes his breathing will speed up for a couple of seconds too. He hasn’t over-exerted himself beforehand and he does it in floortime and in his cage.
He’ll just sit like this:
I’m not sure if this is an old piggy thing?
When he does it, he’s still sort of semi-conscious. So if I put my finger to his mouth, he’ll lick it. If I pet him, he sort of knows I’m petting him. If I put veg or his favourite pellets to his mouth, he’ll grab it and then drop it. When he’s comes to, he’s like normal. He’ll begin walking about or he’ll start sniffing and grabbing the veg from the floor. But when he’s in his moment, he just doesn’t really move. I’ve thought about starting a thread in health and illness but I’m not sure if there’s much point if it’s an oldie thing.
BB did his first wheek today! BB has been with us since the 7th of November but today was the very first time. It might even have been the first wheek of his entire life, too. I think baby pig is playing a big part in this, he’s also had BB popcorning. BB absolutely adores him, he lets him get away with just about everything. If baby pig wants BB’s hidey then he gets BB’s hidey. If baby pig wants the food from BB’s mouth then he will get it. It’s so precious to see.
Digby also popcorned today, hes done it a couple of times since we’ve had him but today it was a proper popcorn, like the ones that baby pig does. Very adorable.
I do have one area of concern, we noticed it after having Digby for a day or two. He has what we call ‘moments’. It’s sort of like his brain stops working for a couple of minutes. He’ll just sit in place and stare, sometimes his breathing will speed up for a couple of seconds too. He hasn’t over-exerted himself beforehand and he does it in floortime and in his cage.
He’ll just sit like this:
I’m not sure if this is an old piggy thing?
When he does it, he’s still sort of semi-conscious. So if I put my finger to his mouth, he’ll lick it. If I pet him, he sort of knows I’m petting him. If I put veg or his favourite pellets to his mouth, he’ll grab it and then drop it. When he’s comes to, he’s like normal. He’ll begin walking about or he’ll start sniffing and grabbing the veg from the floor. But when he’s in his moment, he just doesn’t really move. I’ve thought about starting a thread in health and illness but I’m not sure if there’s much point if it’s an oldie thing.
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
Okay thank you. It’s a strange one. I know older piggies have their own ‘quirks’, both Little and Digby have very physical breathing where they rock slowly with it. Before getting Digby, we thought it was just a Little thing but seems like it’s just an oldie thing. Same with how their bodies are so boney. Little doesn’t have the ‘moments’ though which is what gets me a bit concerned.
Digby seems to be the picture of health otherwise. We’re weighing him more or less daily to check if his weight declines due to his age and us only having him just over a week and a half. It’s been more or less stable, though. My thinking is that it could be his heart, but if he’s not in a moment it might not be detectable with a stethoscope. And I’m not sure a conscious X-ray would reveal a heart issue. Then my other thought is a neurological issue.
My late Honey had liver disease which seemed to take a toll on him neurologically, it made him behave kind of strangely at times. Eventually he had a stroke or something like that and had to be PTS. But since Digby doesn’t seem to be losing weight, I don’t think it’s a condition which is then taking a toll on his brain.
I’m not sure to be honest and anaesthetising him for a blood test seems a bit of a risky situation due to his age if that’s what is suggested by the vet.
I can’t imagine the problem will stop though, he does it a couple of times a day from what I’ve seen and he’s been doing it from what we’ve noticed at least a week, so the entire time he’s been with us I’d say.
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
Okay. It's good if he's maintaining weight. I guess it's a case of keeping an eye on him and see if it becomes more frequent or his 'spaced out' mode lasts longer. Could it be he's just sitting there contemplating things?
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
Hmm, maybe? He just goes totally spaced out. The thing that makes me think he’s not fully ‘there’ is that he’ll take the food into his mouth (so he’s semi-aware of what’s going on) and drop it but when he becomes fully aware, he’ll root for the food like crazy. It could be that he’s just taking a couple of minutes, but I’d think that if it were his choice then he’d choose to have the food that he goes nuts for once he becomes fully aware. You can’t really shake him out of it. I’ve tried picking him up and putting him down a few days ago but, if I’m remembering right, it didn’t do anything. He still sat there in his trance or whatever it is.
I remember I read once that some special needs piggies can seem like they have their head in the clouds. I’m not sure if you’d describe what’s going on as head in the clouds? He’s also not special needs either, though.
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
I know what you mean. Its definitely not that, Digby doesn’t get scared - like at all. I thought Little was a fearless guinea pig but Digby gets first place for that. People don’t scare him, sudden movements don’t scare him, sounds don’t scare him, nothing. And like I said, if you put your finger to his mouth during a moment, he’ll lick you. The same as he would if he weren’t having a moment.
When he does it during floortime, which is when we notice it more as we sit with them, he’ll just be walking around happily. Then he’ll do a normal stop, like how they walk a bit and then stop before deciding what to do next, or stop to poo/pee, but he will then just not move, so just sitting and staring forward. It’s once it’s been going on about a minute or two that we realise he’s having a moment. He’s definitely not afraid at all. When he’s in his cage, we’ve noticed he’ll go to get his water or walk over to the hay and then when he stops to begin the action, he’ll go into a moment.
I’ll have to pay more attention, but from what I’m writing it seems like it’s when he’s about to initiate an action? I could be wrong, though.
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
Completely fine from what I’ve seen when he’s not sleeping in a hidey. He lays down to sleep, sometimes even to just eat. He sleeps a lot but no more than Little does. Honestly, other than these moments he has, he seems really really healthy. His previous owner said he’s never been sick either (but he did live at another family members house for about 5 and a half years, they didn’t take him to vets at all though). I was surprised at how healthy he is given his age and how he’d been kept, he must have really good genes.
But, there’s nothing out of the ordinary with him aside from the spaced out moments. Maybe it’s purely an age thing, then?
alpacasqueak
Forum Donator 2022/23
I’d definitely recommend getting him checked out anyway as it’s always a good idea with new piggies, especially as he’s an older one.
Other than that it sounds like everyone’s doing well! So pleased for you that Little’s getting a rest with this new housemate! Doesn’t sound like BB’s getting one with his!
Gorgeous pics x
Other than that it sounds like everyone’s doing well! So pleased for you that Little’s getting a rest with this new housemate! Doesn’t sound like BB’s getting one with his!
Gorgeous pics x
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
That might be a good idea, I will do over the coming weeks.I’d definitely recommend getting him checked out anyway as it’s always a good idea with new piggies, especially as he’s an older one.
Other than that it sounds like everyone’s doing well! So pleased for you that Little’s getting a rest with this new housemate! Doesn’t sound like BB’s getting one with his!
Digby loves Little a lot, I think. Funnily enough I’m struggling to tell who’s in charge between them. The only dominance that goes on is Digby rumblestruts or purposefully nudges Little, so he’s the instigator. But Little tells him to back off and Digby listens. They have a funny dynamic in that way, but it’s working. They’ve been together just over a week now.
BB and Little will meet at the bars from time to time (they have to stand over the correx to do so, though) and they have lovely interactions. Those two do care about each other, it just didn’t work out. Maybe we can look at the two pairs being proper bar neighbours in the future.
BB is loving baby pig and his energy! I think he loves playing uncle boar, I’ve never seen him so happy.
alpacasqueak
Forum Donator 2022/23
Aw so glad it’s going so well with them! Sound quite well matched, sure they could be happy neighbours in the future so Little and BB can catch up on the gossip!
Uncle BB, what a sweetie!
x
Uncle BB, what a sweetie!
x
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
It seems like this will be the last update for this thread unless baby pig (still has no name lol) becomes a grumpy teenager and we have dominance issues in the future.
Little and Digby still love each other. They are always sat next to each other eating their hay and sometimes even share a hidey together. They’ve been having floortime successfully too, Little isn’t afraid of him like he was with BB. They couldn’t be doing better, really. Digby is loving having a friend.
I’ve actually noticed a decrease in the ‘moments’ he has. We started to wonder if he was doing it out of habit, with him being on his own for 5 years he probably had to go into these ‘moments’ in order to survive the loneliness. Every time he has one, we try and snap him out of it but we do think it must have been a coping mechanism. Luckily, he has no need for it now so hopefully they stop completely.
But anyway, Little and Digby are just doing very well and love being together. Whenever Digby oversteps, Little puts him in his place and Digby will rumblestrut away. Digby still rumblestruts sometimes when we pet him too unless he sniffs your hand first and you pet only his nose bridge to the top of his head. Otherwise he doesn’t seem to approve. I love Digby to pieces though, hes a very nosy piggy. If i get up and move whilst he’s awake, he’ll either climb up on the bars or just stand on two legs (which scares me in case he’ll fall!). He’s always wanting to know what’s going on and have face strokes. I really love my senior pair, I know we shouldn’t have favourites but...
The youngens are doing really well too. The change in BB since we got baby pig has been immense. He just didn’t want to eat or move or do anything. He was really sad. Since meeting baby, I’ve never seen him so happy. BB loves to popcorn about with baby pig. I’m not sure if BB is really happy to be with baby pig or if baby pig popcorning is making BB popcorn, though. During floortime, the popcorning and zoomies from both is insane. It’s so funny to see BB, who is a really big pig (not fat but has a big frame) popcorning around like a baby would. He is honestly loving having baby around. With BB being so petrified when we first got him, it makes me think he never enjoyed being as young as baby pig is due to fear. It’s like baby pig being there allows BB to experience being an excited, young piggy. Baby pig gets excited about everything and is always zooming which hypes BB up too. It’s honestly made us happy to see BB at his happiest. He also used to rumble all the time, even at nothing, when he was with Little but now he doesn’t rumble. So even though he liked Little, he feels much more comfortable with baby pig. I don’t think it could’ve worked out better between them, here’s hoping it lasts and the tides don’t change as baby pig grows up (and hopefully gets a name!). Baby pig also comes out for a cuddle every day too which he enjoys and takes veg from our hand. He still doesn’t completely trust people but I’m sure that will change over the weeks and months.
I’m just so glad everyone is happy with their new friends. It was a rocky start but the ending was worth it
Little and Digby still love each other. They are always sat next to each other eating their hay and sometimes even share a hidey together. They’ve been having floortime successfully too, Little isn’t afraid of him like he was with BB. They couldn’t be doing better, really. Digby is loving having a friend.
I’ve actually noticed a decrease in the ‘moments’ he has. We started to wonder if he was doing it out of habit, with him being on his own for 5 years he probably had to go into these ‘moments’ in order to survive the loneliness. Every time he has one, we try and snap him out of it but we do think it must have been a coping mechanism. Luckily, he has no need for it now so hopefully they stop completely.
But anyway, Little and Digby are just doing very well and love being together. Whenever Digby oversteps, Little puts him in his place and Digby will rumblestrut away. Digby still rumblestruts sometimes when we pet him too unless he sniffs your hand first and you pet only his nose bridge to the top of his head. Otherwise he doesn’t seem to approve. I love Digby to pieces though, hes a very nosy piggy. If i get up and move whilst he’s awake, he’ll either climb up on the bars or just stand on two legs (which scares me in case he’ll fall!). He’s always wanting to know what’s going on and have face strokes. I really love my senior pair, I know we shouldn’t have favourites but...
The youngens are doing really well too. The change in BB since we got baby pig has been immense. He just didn’t want to eat or move or do anything. He was really sad. Since meeting baby, I’ve never seen him so happy. BB loves to popcorn about with baby pig. I’m not sure if BB is really happy to be with baby pig or if baby pig popcorning is making BB popcorn, though. During floortime, the popcorning and zoomies from both is insane. It’s so funny to see BB, who is a really big pig (not fat but has a big frame) popcorning around like a baby would. He is honestly loving having baby around. With BB being so petrified when we first got him, it makes me think he never enjoyed being as young as baby pig is due to fear. It’s like baby pig being there allows BB to experience being an excited, young piggy. Baby pig gets excited about everything and is always zooming which hypes BB up too. It’s honestly made us happy to see BB at his happiest. He also used to rumble all the time, even at nothing, when he was with Little but now he doesn’t rumble. So even though he liked Little, he feels much more comfortable with baby pig. I don’t think it could’ve worked out better between them, here’s hoping it lasts and the tides don’t change as baby pig grows up (and hopefully gets a name!). Baby pig also comes out for a cuddle every day too which he enjoys and takes veg from our hand. He still doesn’t completely trust people but I’m sure that will change over the weeks and months.
I’m just so glad everyone is happy with their new friends. It was a rocky start but the ending was worth it
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
Ohhh!! That post has really made me smile mum glad Digby has settled in. It’s interesting that the moments are slowly waking. It perhaps could have been a coping mechanism indeed!
I think BB enjoys being with baby. If not I reckon you would have known by now. Long May both bonds continue.
On that note do you have a thread for your boys?...
I think BB enjoys being with baby. If not I reckon you would have known by now. Long May both bonds continue.
On that note do you have a thread for your boys?...
Little Ones
Forum Donator 2023/24
I don’t! Since I only ever had 2 I didn’t think there’d be much to post about. Now that i have 4, I’ve been considering it. So who knows, maybe I will sometime soon!Ohhh! That post has really made me smile mum glad Digby has settled in. It’s interesting that the moments are slowly waking. It perhaps could have been a coping mechanism indeed!
I think BB enjoys being with baby. If not I reckon you would have known by now. Long May both bonds continue.
On that note do you have a thread for your boys?...