I am hoping you will be able to help me and provide some advice?
I have 2 little piggy boars - Elvis and Hector. We think Elvis is around 3-4 years old, but he was rehomed and the previous owner really didn't seem to know how old he was. Hector is 14 months old. We introduced Hector as a baby piggy last June after we sadly lost Elvis' companion Tim.
Elvis is a laid-back little fellow, usually quite content and submissive. Initially he didn't seem to mind Hector as a new friend, but they've never really built a proper relationship where they are happy to cuddle up together. Hector has become quite a large pig, following Elvis about and rumbling up beside him. They squeak happily when we arrive with goodies from the fridge, but other than that there's lots of teeth chattering and Hector seems to raise his rump and swing from side-to-side.
I had Elvis health-checked by a vet at the end of last year, but in the last few weeks he has lost a significant amount of weight. He's now very skinny (964g) and he is now quite jumpy and prefers to hide in one of his little houses most days. I've booked him a vet appointment to rule out any medical reasons, but he has bright eyes, eats plenty and is always waiting for me with his veg. Could weight loss like this be attributed to stress? Does this sound like they aren't going to bond?
I'm in a very difficult position because my sons are deeply attached to the piggies, but I'm worried I have an unbonded pair and 2 unhappy guinea pigs. They live outside in an avery-style run approximately 3m x 1m. My husband has built an insulated hutch (using house insultation materials) at one end measuring approx. 1m x 1m so during the day they can run in and out as they please. They are cleaned out 2-3 times per week, have fresh veggies twice and day and plenty of fresh hay every day. My little boy is constantly making them 'dens' out of cardboard and we have put in lots of rodent huts and homes for them. We hide the veggies throughout their run to encourage foraging behaviour and I do as much as I can think to do to keep Hector busy and active so he's less likely to annoy Elvis!
I don't have the space for another large structure in my garden or time to clean 2 big cages throughout the week and I'm so worried if I split them and try to bond them with other piggies we will end up in the same position...but with 4 unhappy pigs! We do have an indoor cage that I could bring Elvis in temporarily, but that will leave Hector outside by himself which in turn could also be very stressful.
Please can you offer any advice? I'm becoming a bit desperate!
I have 2 little piggy boars - Elvis and Hector. We think Elvis is around 3-4 years old, but he was rehomed and the previous owner really didn't seem to know how old he was. Hector is 14 months old. We introduced Hector as a baby piggy last June after we sadly lost Elvis' companion Tim.
Elvis is a laid-back little fellow, usually quite content and submissive. Initially he didn't seem to mind Hector as a new friend, but they've never really built a proper relationship where they are happy to cuddle up together. Hector has become quite a large pig, following Elvis about and rumbling up beside him. They squeak happily when we arrive with goodies from the fridge, but other than that there's lots of teeth chattering and Hector seems to raise his rump and swing from side-to-side.
I had Elvis health-checked by a vet at the end of last year, but in the last few weeks he has lost a significant amount of weight. He's now very skinny (964g) and he is now quite jumpy and prefers to hide in one of his little houses most days. I've booked him a vet appointment to rule out any medical reasons, but he has bright eyes, eats plenty and is always waiting for me with his veg. Could weight loss like this be attributed to stress? Does this sound like they aren't going to bond?
I'm in a very difficult position because my sons are deeply attached to the piggies, but I'm worried I have an unbonded pair and 2 unhappy guinea pigs. They live outside in an avery-style run approximately 3m x 1m. My husband has built an insulated hutch (using house insultation materials) at one end measuring approx. 1m x 1m so during the day they can run in and out as they please. They are cleaned out 2-3 times per week, have fresh veggies twice and day and plenty of fresh hay every day. My little boy is constantly making them 'dens' out of cardboard and we have put in lots of rodent huts and homes for them. We hide the veggies throughout their run to encourage foraging behaviour and I do as much as I can think to do to keep Hector busy and active so he's less likely to annoy Elvis!
I don't have the space for another large structure in my garden or time to clean 2 big cages throughout the week and I'm so worried if I split them and try to bond them with other piggies we will end up in the same position...but with 4 unhappy pigs! We do have an indoor cage that I could bring Elvis in temporarily, but that will leave Hector outside by himself which in turn could also be very stressful.
Please can you offer any advice? I'm becoming a bit desperate!
