Guinea Pig Help Needed

[Lisa.marie.white]

Good morning. Our names are Lisa (mom) and Jordyn (Guinea pig momma)

Clearly, we did not do any research on Guinea Pigs. We, like many, saw these cute little eyes and knew she was ours. We bought a starter cage from Petsmart, listened to the lady and bought all the items we were told. After two month of caring for Daisy, we have found there is so much more! Poor little girl, for one, the starter cage was to small! Basically forced her to live in her filth. Poor baby. I can not believe how small it really was! I purchased a bigger one! Did much reading and put food, water, hay and hanging treat etc under a separate platform. I did not know they eat and poop, same place. This has made clean up so much easier and much nicer in her relax space. I ordered a special poodoo platform for her and new fleece liners. Hopefully to come this next week. We are learning.

My only concern now! After reading, Guinea pigs being social, need two? She cries, vocal, when she hears us come up stairs, or leave room. It breaks my heart. Are they just vocal? Or should we be worried. One Guinea pig is a lot . Is this a problem? What can we do to make her more comfy? She is eating, drinking like she owns the place.
Thank you for any help.

Lisa & Jordyn

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes, guinea pigs are social herd animals and do need to be kept in pairs. Single piggies do get lonely as they don’t have anyone they can communicate with so it is in her best interests that you do indeed find her a character compatible friend.

Companionship

The best way to find a character compatible friend is to get in touch with a rescue centre and they can help you with dating and bonding her.

The guides links are to forum guides which will offer further help.

Owners' Comprehensive Helpful and Supportive Information Collection

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Daisy is so lucky to have you as you sound like fabulous piggy slaves. She will definitely benefit from having a friend. I love watching my two boys interact with each other. . Post a picture of Daisy if you’d like to share. We love piggy pictures here.

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

Dating and bonding?

 

[weepweeps]

She is beautiful

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

She is very beautiful. It was recommended teddy bears in with her too. Anyone try this?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes dating at a rescue centre allows her to choose her own new friend. They will bond and form a compatible relationship.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

The cage needs to be 120x60cm as a minimum but 150x60cm is recommended so you will need to measure the new cage to check it does meet that size

Cage Size Guide

There is little point in putting teddy bears in with her. She may chew them which would be dangerous but they do not offer any communication or comfort for guinea pigs

It would also be a good idea to remove that hanging seed stick in her cage. They aren’t healthy for piggies to eat and the seeds on them pose a choking hazard.

We are here to continue to offer you support and help as you go forward on your piggy journey!

 

[weepweeps]

Yes I agree that teddy bears aren’t a great idea.

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

We do not have a rescue here, I looked. We have Petsmart. They have five females in atm. O gez! She loves those sticks.

 

[Piggies&buns]

We do not have a rescue here, I looked. We have Petsmart. They have five females in atm. O gez! She loves those sticks.

I assume you are in the US then as you say Petsmart.
Please do change your location to show USA. We have a Sudbury in the UK and as we are a UK based forum it will get very confusing for us as we will be giving UK based advice

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

Sudbury Canada. I will change that for sure. This was the cage they sold me. Her current cage is or 42inches x 18inch. This is what we could find for now.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If you definitely don’t have any rescue centres nearby then buying another piggy to be her friend will be your only option. You will then need to carry out the neutral territory bonding process yourself at home.
This guide explains how to do it - Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

The measurements for the cage they sold you are far far too small - it’s a complete shame that cage can ever be sold for guinea pigs.
Unfortunately the measurements for her current cage are also too small. You need a cage of 47 inches by 24 inches as a minimum but 60 inches by 24 inches is best.

Do also check the sex of your piggy and any new piggy you get to be sure they are definitely both female
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/illustrated-sexing-guide-for-all-ages.156297/

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

we will work on upgrading the cage! I’ll do the reading and go from there.

 

[Piggies&buns]

We can help you with advice so do ask questions, we are all here to help!

 

[weepweeps]

Yes I thought you were from UK too! Shame they can sell such a tiny cage for a piggy

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

We are learning. Unfortunately, not 100% but working with what is available.

 

[Wiebke]

Here is a recommended rescue that also has guinea pigs in your province if it is within reach of you. There are sadly not many rescues in Canada: Ladybird Animal Sanctuary - Rescued Animals Now Available For Adoption

 

[weepweeps]

I’m still learning too. This forum is great for help and advice.

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

Here is a recommended rescue that also has guinea pigs in your province if it is within reach of you. There are sadly not many rescues in Canada: Ladybird Animal Sanctuary - Rescued Animals Now Available For Adoption

We are what is considered a remote, northern community. That is a lot 5 hours away.

 

[Wiebke]

We are what is considered a remote, northern community. That is a lot 5 hours away.

Ouch - there is sadly literally nothing around up North. So far, our Canadian members from Ontario have all been from the more populous Southern half or the wider Toronto area.

Here are our tips for finding companionship for single piggies (including when you do not have rescue access) and what to look out for in pet shop piggies (so you can avoid most the of common pitfalls as much as possible):
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights


PS: You may find our information resource on a very wide range of topics very helpful; it is currently one of the most comprehensive ones around. 15 years of running a lively forum and owner experience that goes in part back 50 years have all gone into our practical how-to and information guides.
You may want to bookmark the link, browse, read and re-read at need, so you can learn about recommended cage sizes, different cages (which you may find cheaper online without paying a shop premium), a good life-prolonging healthy diet and care, learning to understand behaviour and how to 'piggy whisper' as well as learning what is normal or not and how to spot illness as well as how to protect your guinea pig throughout a heat wave.
Here are the links:
- Starter version: Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners
- Full version: Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
I can’t add anything to the advice given already.
Daisy is beautiful.
Hope you are finding the forum helpful and supportive. I’m still learning too.

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

Side note. Husband is at the place we purchased. Petsmart. This is there information guide. See picture. So knew I was not totally crazy.

 

[poggle]

Unfortunately, a lot of pet shops just don't seem to know their stuff - it's the same here.

Apologies if this had been covered elsewhere, but I've spotted the guidance on daily vitamin c supplementation - this is actually not recommended (except for a short course when a piggie is poorly) as counter-intuitively it can lead to scurvy symptoms if stopped or reduced. I believe the body gets used to a higher baseline level and then experiences the same kind of effects as a result of the level then dropping below that baseline (kind of like sugar cravings when your blood sugar level drops below what your body considers normal, even if they're still high by usual standards). A good hay based diet with a variety of veg and a small amount of pellets should provide all the vitamin c they need. I'm sure one of the forum experts can explain better than me though

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s awful that they think an enclosure of those measurements is suitable. 61x91 doesn’t come anywhere close to their welfare requirements

And I agree - they do not need vitamin c to be supplemented. A good unlimited hay based diet with one cup of veg per day and one tablespoon of plain guinea pigs pellets per day gives them all their vit c needs. Routinely suppplementing vitamin C above their needs can be detrimental to them.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

That’s another good point. We were told to keep her bowl full of pellets. Water full with vitimins.
should we measure the food daily and only give that amount? We have been giving her shredded carrots.

 

[poggle]

The pellets are the least important thing in their diet and if they're too full of pellets they won't eat enough hay for their gut or teeth; I own a pellet monster myself so need to be very conscious of this! Also some pigs are prone to bladder issues and there's a lot of calcium in pellets, which can set things off or make them worse. A tablespoon each a day is plenty (although my pellet monster likely disagrees).

Water doesn't need vitamins added - for the reasons above, and also because it changes the flavour and this can negatively impact how much they drink.

The food guides here are very good and definitely worth a read if you've not done so already.

 

[Piggies&buns]

That’s another good point. We were told to keep her bowl full of pellets. Water full with vitimins.
should we measure the food daily and only give that amount? We have been giving her shredded carrots.

No please do not keep her bowl full of pellets. Too many pellets can cause health problems - it can cause them to not eat enough hay which can then lead to dental and gut problems; too many pellets can cause obesity, and they contain too much calcium which can lead to bladder stones.
Pellets are the least important part of the diet - only give one tablespoon per day and then when the portion is gone remove the bowl. (I actually only give mine pellets three times a week. The other days they get dried forage leaves)
Better still, don’t use a food bowl and instead scatter feed veg and pellets amongst large piles of hay. This will keep her occupied while she is alone as she will need to forage for food. When she has a friend scatter feeding can also help their relationship as the dominant piggy will not be able to food hog.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

She needs access to large amounts of hay at all times - never let her hay pile run out. Hay is essential for gut health and dental health. Piggies who don’t eat enough hay will not gain weight and their teeth can overgrow which will then require expensive and often repetitive dental treatment to get things right again.

Carrots and any fruIts are too high in sugar and should be considered as a treat only - only to be given in very small amount and not more than once a week. Any more than that and the sugars can cause an overgrowth of the wrong kind of gut bacteria and they can become unwell. Mine get carrot once every couple of months if they are lucky, and a slice of apple once or twice a year in summer
Safe daily veggies are lettuce (not iceberg), cucumber, coriander/cilantro, bell pepper. They can have one cup per pig per day of a variety of veggies.
New veggies need to be introduced slowly as to not cause digestive upsets.

The long term diet guide explains how to feed them - Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Please do not put anything in her drinking water. It will promote algae growth in the water and it can stop them from wanting to drink as it changes the taste of the water.

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

UPDATE

I went into the shop where we purchased Daisy from. The employee, Leah, who sold us Daisy said she had the Guinea who had been housed for a month or so with Daisy still. They sell only female Guinea’s. I brought her home! Literally she (Milly) entered the cage and Daisy (who was hiding, depressed) ran out and started licking her all over. She was so excited. Popcorning. They have been thick as thieves since Sunday! Daisy clearly is the Alpha! They have had a fight, sorry, Daisy has set her straight.

We have been feeding them 1 TBsp of pellets a day. Milly is just a baby compared to Daisy. 1 cup of mixed dark greens at supper. Lots of Timmy’s Hay.

We have stopped the vitimin C drops.

I purchased a play pen and tonight they played in the living room with us for a bit. Great purchase.

We have designed and are building a small castle. Beds on bottom, feeding poo doo area over top. With space at a minimum. Current new cage will have to suffice for now.

Lisa & Jordyn

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m glad they are getting on well.
Do be aware that fighting is very different to dominance. Dominance behaviours are normal but fighting is not and is bond breaking.

Please do look to get them a bigger cage as soon as possible. Being in a cage which doesn’t give them enough space (aside from the fact it doesn’t meet welfare requirements) to get away from each other can cause their bond to come under tension and can cause two piggies to fall out. One strong season without enough space to get away from each other could cause problems. Also ensure you have two hides and multiple of every other items and that all hides have two doors.

Do also check that they are both female. The shop may say they only sell female, but we sadly see so much
pet shop missexing that you should check their sexes yourself rather than rely on what you have been told

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

 

[Lisa.marie.white]

UPDATE

I went into the shop where we purchased Daisy from. The employee, Leah, who sold us Daisy said she had the Guinea who had been housed for a month or so with Daisy still. They sell only female Guinea’s. I brought her home! Literally she (Milly) entered the cage and Daisy (who was hiding, depressed) ran out and started licking her all over. She was so excited. Popcorning. They have been thick as thieves since Sunday! Daisy clearly is the Alpha! They have had a fight, sorry, Daisy has set her straight.

We have been feeding them 1 TBsp of pellets a day. Milly is just a baby compared to Daisy. 1 cup of mixed dark greens at supper. Lots of Timmy’s Hay.

We have stopped the vitimin C drops.

I purchased a play pen and tonight they played in the living room with us for a bit. Great purchase.

We have designed and are building a small castle. Beds on bottom, feeding poo doo area over top. With space at a minimum, Current new cage will have to suffice for now.

Lisa & Jordyn

I’m glad they are getting on well.
Do be aware that fighting is very different to dominance. Dominance behaviours are normal but fighting is not and is bond breaking.

Please do look to get them a bigger cage as soon as possible. Being in a cage which doesn’t give them enough space (aside from the fact it doesn’t meet welfare requirements) to get away from each other can cause their bond to come under tension and can cause two piggies to fall out. One strong season without enough space to get away from each other could cause problems. Also ensure you have two hides and multiple of every other items and that all hides have two doors.

Do also check that they are both female. The shop may say they only sell female, but we sadly see so much
pet shop missexing that you should check their sexes yourself rather than rely on what you have been told

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Sorry there has been no fighting @ all. More bossiness. We have two hides now but they sleep in one.