New Guinea Pig Not Eating Or Drinking

[waughy123]

Hello,

I bought a new guinea pig two days ago named Percy. He is a male guinea pig and was the last of his litter. He lives on his own and does not come out of his hide in his cage at all. I put food into his cage so he can eat but obviously this is only a temporary solution. He lives in my room and has constant socialization from me (currently he is sitting at my desk as I type this). He goes out to see my female guinea pigs every day. His eating I can solve by putting food in his bed but I cannot solve his drinking problem. Does anyone know what I should do? Should I take his hide out of the cage for an hour or so so he gets to explore the cage and learn where his water is? I am rather worried about him as he needs to eat and drink. Anyone know what I should do ?

Kate

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Guinea pigs are not wired to be on their own, they are group animals. It would be great if you considered contacting one of our recommended good standard and piggy savvy rescues for dating him at the rescue under expert supervision in order to let your boy choose a character compatible boarmate. An age difference can additionally help to stabilise the bond while your boy is going through the big hormones during the first year of his life. This is the safest way for you to find a healthy (i.e. quarantined and treated) companion at the least risk for you of ending up with two boars that won't get on. The rescues are reopening again in the New Year.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

Until then, you may find these threads here helpful:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-do-i-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs.36239/
[URL='https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-understand-guinea-pig-instincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/']https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-understand-guinea-pig-instincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/
[url]https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-companionship.37654/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/cage-size-guide.120795/[/URL][/URL]

 

[waughy123]

Thanks, Percy is gaining confidence and comes out to eat his dried food while I am in the room. Unfortunaetly I cannot pair Percy with another Guinea pig. When it gets closer to the summer he can be outside with the other guinea pigs

 

[Abi_nurse]

Make sure you get this little guy neutered if you planning on introducing him to sows at a later date.

Some guinea pigs do not drink a lot, others more so. Provide him with a water bowl if your concerned but a couple of slices of cucumber should suffice in this climate. If it were the middle of summer I'd want him to drink more.

X

 

[waughy123]

Make sure you get this little guy neutered if you planning on introducing him to sows at a later date.

Some guinea pigs do not drink a lot, others more so. Provide him with a water bowl if your concerned but a couple of slices of cucumber should suffice in this climate. If it were the middle of summer I'd want him to drink more.

X

Thanks for the advice. I will consider getting Percy neutered. He seems happy at the moment and is eating normally and bolts around his cage. Do you know approximately how much it would cost to get him neutered?

 

[Abi_nurse]

In the north of the uk near you I would say around £40-50. Here in the London area it's about £50. You really don't want lots of baby piggies, trust me, no matter how cute they are.

x

 

[waughy123]

In the north of the uk near you I would say around £40-50. Here in the London area it's about £50. You really don't want lots of baby piggies, trust me, no matter how cute they are.

x

Thanks, I've had baby pigs before and they're harder to look after than they look. Thanks for the help, shall look into it x

 

[AuntyC]

I have found clipping the water bottle right next to the hay helps them to locate it. When feeding veggies, after rinsing them put them in the cage still wet so he gets moisture that way too. Good luck xx

 

[Norah]

Hi! I've experienced the exact same thing, he'll eat when you arent around and drink too!
do you have the water bottle? some new piggies dont know how to drink out of that! try putting a little bowl wit h water underneat it. Once he gets more tame you can show him how to drink out of the bottle by flicking the ball with your finger. Try covering the cage with a towel or something so he can get used to the cage, and then he'll also come out more often!

 

[waughy123]

I have found clipping the water bottle right next to the hay helps them to locate it. When feeding veggies, after rinsing them put them in the cage still wet so he gets moisture that way too. Good luck xx

Percy's water bottle is right above his food bowl so I hoped he would notice by now but for the meantime I am giving him plenty of cucumber to provide him with water. Thanks for the help xx

 

[waughy123]

Hi! I've experienced the exact same thing, he'll eat when you arent around and drink too!
do you have the water bottle? some new piggies dont know how to drink out of that! try putting a little bowl wit h water underneat it. Once he gets more tame you can show him how to drink out of the bottle by flicking the ball with your finger. Try covering the cage with a towel or something so he can get used to the cage, and then he'll also come out more often!

Percy is actually getting quite confident, he comes out when he knows I am in the room when I am sitting right next to him which is very good progress! He also ate cucumber from my had yesterday. I collected Percy from a breeder and I noticed that he did have the same water bottle as I have now so it is just a case of him finding it. I was thinking of rubbing a carrot on it so he picks up the scent, think that will work? I already have a blanket over his cage which has boosted his confidence greatly. Thanks