My Guinea Pigs Are Sad, What Do I Do?

[Cleve & Teddy]

So I had to go get surgery and was gone for 2 nights. My roommate said she would take care of my 2 guinea pigs but when I came back they had hardly any food, no hay, and didn't even get excited when they see me like they usually do. I'm so mad my roommate clearly did not feed them their pellets, veggies, hay, or give them fresh water. I immediately gave them fresh hay and food and they didn't go towards it - they always run towards it even if they had just ate a ton. Normally, when I open up their cage door they go running around, and they had no interest going out. I gave them their veggies and they usually start wheeking, but neither of them did. It took them a while to even go over and even then they weren't interested. I left the room to see if they would eat it when I went away and they ate about half a cup of veggies. Usually, it's completely gone within a few minutes. I don't know what to do for them, I feel horrible that they were not taken care of like I had asked. I have to go back to the hospital for another couple of days later this week and I am worried that me leaving them again will make this even worse, even if I get someone who will actually follow through with taking care of them. Advice?

 

[1GuineaPig1]

I'm sorry your roommate didn't look after them very well.
They should be okay, but just give them extra love, veggies, and make sure they are well cared for from now on, and try to find someone more trustworthy to watch them. Explain to your roommate that you didn't like that he/she didn't take care of your guinea pigs, and ask them to be more careful. Make sure that they didn't develop any sicknesses while you were gone by making sure that they are still behaving normally. If this doesn't clear up in a few days, consult a veterinarian.

 

[Cleve & Teddy]

I'll definitely go see a vet if it continues. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Gizi]

Oh No! Some people are just not born to be cavy slaves unfortunately They are probably depressed they didn't see their trustworthy slave for a bit. I would not ask your roommate to look after them ever again if that is going to be how she/he takes care of them. Make sure from now on you clean and feed them properly and they should cheer up. However is this does continue please go to a vet as they may be ill

Good Luck! x

 

[Cleve & Teddy]

Oh No! Some people are just not born to be cavy slaves unfortunately They are probably depressed they didn't see their [you]trustworthy[/you][you] [/you] slave for a bit. I would not ask your roommate to look after them ever again if that is going to be how she/he takes care of them. Make sure from now on you clean and feed them properly and they should cheer up. However is this does continue please go to a vet as they may be ill

Good Luck! x

I was so worried they'd stay depressed and quit eating or something but they are back to themselves already after spending the night with them (: I worry too easily!

 

[Freela]

I'm glad they are back to normal! They were likely stressed out because the person/routine changed. Mine get obviously upset when the day does not proceed in it's normal order and will stop paying much attention to what's going on around them (it seems they are more engaged when they can predict what happens next... if they can't, they stop paying attention.) My hubby didn't take the greatest care of them when I had surgery a few years ago either... the kids gave them food and water, but my hubby didn't let them out of the cage for floor time and my kids were to young to manage that on their own at the time. I was mad, as I was in hospital for three days and that's a long time not to get out for playtime! Hope your recovery goes smoothly as well!

 

[salembinx]

When I went on holiday my son took really good care of my boys for me. When I got back and went to see them with their veggies they looked at me, didn't get my normal squeak , turned their back on me and wiggled their bums. They were fine after a day! Piggies sooo funny xx