StardustEcho
Junior Guinea Pig
Woken up in the middle of the night to my partner yelling Tia had escaped. She’d presumably leapt over the grids and ended up on the floor. Found her under the couch with no issue, but now we’re at a loss what to do with her. Putting her in the cage leads to her trying to climb out again. She’s more than content to sit on me on the couch but that’s not really a solution.
I’m pondering whether she’s being bullied by one of the other girls. Since our neutered male passed away a month ago, one of the younger girls (Berry) has been much more dominant. She’ll frequently chatter and rumble at the other pigs and occasionally chase them. I thought it would die down but it doesn’t appear to have yet. It seems the most likely cause for Tia’s escape antics (unless she really just wants to spend more time being hand fed by me ). Does this sound likely? If so, is the bond beyond saving? We have 4 girls in all, and the other two are generally pretty chill, so it’s possible pairs could work with Tia away from Berry. Tia has also been ill recently and I wonder if this may have factored in.
Right now Berry is in a carrier while Tia is with me. My plan is to put Berry in a playpen overnight and leave Tia in a carrier as I don’t want to take the risk of her escaping from anywhere. But I’m at a loss as to how to solve any of this. I could be completely off base with why Tia has suddenly decided escaping is awesome and worst case, I end up with a lone girl. I’m hopeful Tia will continue being herself for a while yet, but I’m also aware she’s very frail and we could lose her suddenly.
I’m able to create a lid for the cage in the next few days which would halt escape attempts, but I’m more concerned with why she is escaping.
Sorry for the mess, I’m a bit frazzled and have no idea what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
I’m pondering whether she’s being bullied by one of the other girls. Since our neutered male passed away a month ago, one of the younger girls (Berry) has been much more dominant. She’ll frequently chatter and rumble at the other pigs and occasionally chase them. I thought it would die down but it doesn’t appear to have yet. It seems the most likely cause for Tia’s escape antics (unless she really just wants to spend more time being hand fed by me ). Does this sound likely? If so, is the bond beyond saving? We have 4 girls in all, and the other two are generally pretty chill, so it’s possible pairs could work with Tia away from Berry. Tia has also been ill recently and I wonder if this may have factored in.
Right now Berry is in a carrier while Tia is with me. My plan is to put Berry in a playpen overnight and leave Tia in a carrier as I don’t want to take the risk of her escaping from anywhere. But I’m at a loss as to how to solve any of this. I could be completely off base with why Tia has suddenly decided escaping is awesome and worst case, I end up with a lone girl. I’m hopeful Tia will continue being herself for a while yet, but I’m also aware she’s very frail and we could lose her suddenly.
I’m able to create a lid for the cage in the next few days which would halt escape attempts, but I’m more concerned with why she is escaping.
Sorry for the mess, I’m a bit frazzled and have no idea what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.