Lost bond after time away

[Subsonica]

Both me and my other half have always had a really close bond with our piggies, particularly Nibbler who is the most outgoing of them all.

We had to go away for 10 days down south for my Mum's wedding, so we had the piggies put into boarding for the duration. We got them back just last night, but they seem.... different. I kept their cages as they were before they went so that they still smelt like them when they got back, but it's almost as if they have forgotten everything.

They used to get so excited when we came downstairs, went into the kitchen, rustled a bag etc, but now there isn't a peep. They used to come racing to the side of the cage whenever we walked in the room, but now they are really withdrawn, and will barely come to us when we try to fuss them over the side of the cage, and quite often just run away.

Naturally I'm quite worried because this just isn't normal for them. It might sound like a silly question, but do guinea pigs tend to suffer memory loss? Are we going to have to start from scratch and rebuild our bond with them?

 

[Dindypig]

I personally think that they have quite a good memory span. They were probably upset that you 'gave them away' and the boarding was not what they were used to. They may also be very annoyed with you and therefore giving you the cold shoulder. Many piggy owners believe that thier piggies can show annoyance and be capable of 'ignoring' thier owners.

 

[Wiebke]

Give it a few days and they will be back to their old ways. Guinea pigs have a longer memory span than that - they are probably just sulking!

 

[hazeyg]

Yeah I think they are probably sulking or a little traumatised by the change. I went away for 14days once and my boy Theo got beaten up by his cage mate and my mum seperated them. He had lost a bit of weight and was really depressed but everyone noticed how different he was when i was home again and he knew i was there. So there memory is definatly not gone.

They may just be very very scared , startfrom scratch in being gently an djust hanging out by there cage- they will home round honest.

 

[Dindypig]

Thanks Wiebke, 'sulking' was the word I was looking for.

 

[gpmomma]

When I leave for a few days mine will do this. Give it a few days with long snuggles and they will be back to themselves.

 

[Subsonica]

Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it! I know I was probably panicking over nothing and that they were probably just sulking.

I made a point of opening the fridge door a lot today to "remind" them of sounds etc. They soon got excited when I went to prepare their veg, so maybe a couple more days till they're back to their cheeky selves.