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Ear Colour Change

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Saul McIntyre

Saul McIntyre

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HI, we adopted a baby guinea pig 5 days ago. When we adopted him, he had a white ear, but now it is becoming more pink. Is this to do with the room temperature at all?

Thanks
 
Saul McIntyre said:
HI, we adopted a baby guinea pig 5 days ago. When we adopted him, he had a white ear, but now it is becoming more pink. Is this to do with the room temperature at all?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Guinea pigs use the blood flow through the ears to regulate their body temperature. They don't sweat or pant to do that. Your boy is currently obviously feeling warm!

Here are more things to learn about how your piggy's body works: Guinea pig body quirks

You may also find our new owners' guide collection very helpful in settling in and making friends with your baby. However, the best thing you can do for it, is to find a same sex friend. Guinea pigs are social animals and are not wired to be on their own, especially not at this early age. You will enjoy the lively interaction that make guinea pigs so unique and fascinating.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit
 
Aww, so cute, we do have another, older guinea pig, but they don't seem to get on and we have tried everything..
 
You have only had him for five days so he will still need to settle. Can they be next to each other where they can see each other through the bars? That way they could get to know each other until you have the time to bond them on neutral territory. There are some great bonding threads on here.
 
Yes, we have tried that all already. The baby seems very tame and confident around us, and climbs on our knee to be stroked! We put both cages next to each other so that they can talk. they squeek nicely to each other, but when they get too close, the older one starts to purr? We are too afraid to put them both down in a neuteral territory without holding them both just in case they attack each other.
 
If you have a good read through the bonding & behaviour threads it will help a lot.

The purring you're talking about is probably rumblestrutting which is normal :) Your older pig is just showing his dominance to the new piggy. My girls are bonded as still do it to each other lol.
 
Yeah, but the purring seems very aggressive and threatening. Thanks alot for your help anyway!
 
Just to add, how long have they been next to each other? Also, it could help to post a video of their interaction to see how aggressive the purring is. It can appear very aggressive at first to you, but it could just be you haven't heard the different tunes enough at this time to determine.

It would be better to encourage company sooner than later, to help the possible companionship be as steady as possible when the baby is going through a hormonal stage. Also, a lack of companionship at a young age might impact on his attitude towards other piggies later in life (i.e companionships harder to introduce).
 
I am also worried about introducing him to my other Piggie because I think he is a biter
 
Gorgeous! Looks like a lovely ear to me :))

What makes you think he's a biter? I'm sure it won't be as bad as it sounds, I was a nervous wreck when I introduced my babies (2+2) but it's never as bad as it sounds/looks.

When introducing just make sure you have a tea towel just in case of aggression but it doesn't usually get to that stage :)

Have you got anyone who can help with bonding, like a rescue close by?
 
Thanks, I think he is a biter because he was sniffing the other guinea pig's bum, and I put my hand next to the them and he bit my hand thinking it was a guinea pig. I don't know really!?
 
Did he actually puncture skin or just nip you? He might have thought you were a piggy butt, bonding involves a bit of butt nipping :))

Especially as it just happened once I definitely wouldn't label him a biter, piggies rarely are (unless they're very frightened) so I wouldn't be too worried. As with all bonding sessions you just have to be vigilant but don't assume the worst, although it's hard :)
 
Biting can happen, especially if they think your hands might actually be food. It could also be a scare reaction, with the baby getting caught unaware and biting out of fear.

Sniffing bums isn't a bad sign. But if put together, your guinea pigs will sort their hierarchy out for themselves and it may not necessarily be the pig you think that comes out on top. You are also not going to know if they'll live with each other until you bond them together, and it can be a scary step to make. But if it works out, it'll be better for both of them in the long term.
 
OK, but what will happen if it doesn't work out? Will there be any blood...
 
I highly recommend looking through the threads on bonding and introducing piggies :)

There could always potentially be a bite but nothing too serious, just have to be vigilant and watch out for the signs.

No one wants their piggies to be hurt, after introducing piggies myself I know it can be nerve wracking. But just think about how happy they could be once they're bonded and living together and it makes it all worth while :)
 
IMAG0017.webp they are talking in a friendly manner, its just when they touch each other, they start to purr?
 
So should we put them both down in a nueteral territory like the hall way and see what happens?

Thanks again for all the help and advice!
 
What kind of purr? Do they butt wiggle as they do it?

Yes a nice neutral run would be great, just supervise them with your trusty tea towel and should they get on well after a few hours put in a few hideys with multiple exits (cardboard boxes are fab with doors cut in them) and see how they do :)

Did you read some of the threads on introductions? It's very important you read up on these things so you have all the tools you and your piggies need to bond :)

Good luck!
 
Also how big will their cage be should they be bonded? 2 foot by 5 foot is the recommended minimum size for two boys :)
 
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