Guinea Pig Demanding More Attention

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Ed55

Ed55

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When I put my guinea pig back in his hutch, if I haven't held him for very long, he bites at the cage as if demanding more cuddle time. If it is 5+ minutes he doesn't do this. But if I take him out for a quick 30 second pet and put him back because I am in a hurry or something he bites on the cage when I put him back. Has anyone ever run into this? No other time have I noticed him biting the cage. Very funny behavior. I was thinking of installing wooden bars on the lower part so that he isn't biting at the metal.
 
Hi and welcome!

Is your guinea pig a single or does he have a companion? Guinea pigs are group animals and not really wired to live alone. If he is single, he will be desperate for company and stimulation; he'd certainly not like to be dumped back in straightaway again!

As we have members from all over the world, could you please add your country, state or (for the UK) your county, so we can always adapt our advice to what is available/possible to you straight away. Please click on your username on the top bar, go to personal details and scroll down to location.
 
You're right I should provide more details. He's solo. When I adopted him he was on his own already.
 
He is indoors, isn't he? How old is he?
 
Yes he's indoors. When I adopted him they estimated 1 year because they didn't know for sure. Had him for about six months so a year and a half? He has become much more energetic and vocal since!
 
So he is still quite young just about having reached a hormonally adulthood, considering that healthy guinea pigs live for 5-7 years. I know that good rescues are rather far and between in your part of the US, but would you consider researching into getting him company for the long term, even if it is just next door with interaction through bars for your boy if your piggies don't gel? We can help you with intros etc.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/companionship.37654/
Here is the Guinea Lynx rescue list (with permission of the site): http://www.guinealynx.info/rescue_organizations_uk.html
 
Ed55 said:
After realizing in this post that I did not include enough details, I decided to share a story this is more of a background story about rusty: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-i-happened-upon-our-pig.124412/

I suppose we will have to think about getting him a friend! :)
Click to expand...

Yes, please do! The problem is that just sticking another little boy in may not work, as guinea pigs are very much like us humans when it comes to company; they also don't just necessarily get on with everybody. Make sure that you can keep two boys next to each other for constant stimulation in case things don't work out. It is always a lot easier if you can find a place to "test drive" Rusty so you know that he and his new friend click; that ups the chances of a happy relationship massively.
You will find our boar guide helpful, but also our bonding and behaviour threads at the top of this section. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
 
Yes find him a friend please! I left my pig single for three months when he was a baby and I am afraid he has suffered, he changed so much when I introduced him to a friend that I realised he must have been very lonely before!
 
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