New Owner Shy Pigs

[Zetros]

Hi, last night, over 24 hours ago as of writing, I adopted two 5 month bonded female pigs from a rescue. So far they have not moved an inch from their hide, though they do eat vegetables after a few minutes if everyone is out of sight. I sprinkled oxbow pellets and hay around their cage but I don't think they have left the hide even when left alone in the house for several hours as all of this is still untouched. I understand pet store pigs and young pigs are easily frightened but when I adopted them the rescue handler said they had been living with her in a properly cared for enclosure for quite some time and are comfortable around humans, even wheeking for food just thank morning. Are they simply still adjusting to the new environment? And how long should I expect them to do so? also any tips for getting them to feel as comfortable as possible would be appreciated as I'm afraid I have traumatized them, especially when I had to move their hide to spot clean their poop. Their cage is a 3x5 c&c with two hides, two water bottles, a water dish, hay pile, and cuddle cup, though I am currently covering half of the pen with a blanket and one of my shirts. I don't want to rush things, I would just like to know if this behavior is normal or not so I don't overthink haha, thank you!

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

to the forum!
It is perfectly normal for piggies to hide and not leave their cover during their first days or even weeks in a new environment.

Here you will find useful Information:

Thread 'New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In'

May 20, 2023

Intro
1 What to do on arrival at home
- A welcome in piggy language
- Health check, sexing and weighing
- Quarantine or not if you have other guinea pigs?
2 Helping your guinea pigs to settle in
- Some practical tips for settling in new guinea pigs
- Avoiding predatory behaviours
- Skittish or ill?
- Group establishment and dominance
3 Handling and human...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 2
• Forum: New and Wannabe Owners Corner

Thread 'How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?'

Aug 11, 2009

- Expectations and reality
- Give them shelter and place food nearby
- Cover the cage
- Avoid behaving like a hunting predator
- Wait with handling (after your quick health check & sexing on arrival)
- Introduce new foods slowly
- Drinking
- Scent-marking ramps and unused hutch/cage areas
- Run time and lawn trips


Expections and reality
Guinea pigs take time to settle in their new surroundings; more than you think. They are prey animals and not instant living cuddly toys. The cute videos...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Arrival

• 
• 

Please make sure that hay and water is in reach of their hidey for as long as they don't feel secure enough to move around much. This time will pass even if it feels endless at the moment.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Welcome to the forum

I completely agree with Viennese Furbabies, and you are also doing the right thing by covering their cage.

They need time to settle into a new environment - they don’t yet know they are safe - so yes what you are seeing is entirely normal.

Definitely put hay inside and just outside of the hides so they can eat freely when they don’t feel like coming out. They will settle into time but it can take a few weeks.

Also remember that even though they have always been together, they will go into a two week period of reestablishing their relationship now they are in a new environment.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

[Truffolo]

Some of it is fear, but also behaviour of young piggies. They may be waiting for a more senior pig to take the initiative and guide the herd to grazing. They should sort out who does this as they mature. I read somewhere that wild guinea pigs feed and every now and then routinely make a quick dash for cover. So if they stampede, it might be a behaviour rather than purely from intense fear. It's fine to gently poo pick around them, they won't be traumatised. When my boys arrived, they were hissing and making popping noises at me But they settled down in a few days, although they are still fairly skittish. They have started to accept gentle head strokes (without touching their whiskers) but express affection in lots of other ways and are really charming little personalities.

 

[fluffysal]

Welcome to the forum and (it will be) the wonderful world of piggies. Thank you for adopting these little girls.
All advice given on this forum is consistent and the guides well worth reading as they are interesting as well as informative.
As we have to work so hard to gain the trust of these little furries, every little bit of progress feels like a major milestone. As they get older you will experience the joy of discovering their (usually) very individual personalities. In six months these cute little ones will be ruling your life.

 

[Claire W]

Hello and welcome to the forum Yes, it’s perfectly normal for guinea pigs to hide for the first few days or even weeks of being in a new home while they get used to their new surroundings

Just make she they have hay and water easily accessible from their hide why they still feel unsure x

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
Well done for rescuing these piggies and giving them a good home.
I adopted 2 piggies in September from a rescue and it’s taken until now for them to start feeling safe and more confident.
Depending on what happened to them before the rescue they may settle in a few weeks or it could take longer.
They need to learn that they are loved and safe.
When they stop hiding we would love to see photos

 

[PipSqueak20]

Welcome to the forum

Guinea pigs are prey animals so are naturally skittish and shy. It can take weeks/years for them to get used to you or anyone else in their vicinity. Both of my female pigs hate to be held for a long period and still run off from me ( it’s been over 3 years). It can take days/week/weeks for them to adjust to their new home. It depends on the personality of the pig as well whether they’ll get used to you or not. My male one is not shy at all and loves a hug and pet.

I also did what you have done and covered their home with a blanket/towel as it made them comfortable to come out. Make sure to put in fresh hay and veg to entice or even hay toppings like dried dandelion etc. Make sure as well, that they have enough hides and tunnels in their enclosure.

Here’s pictures of my 3 babies: