New Owner With Just One Pig! Help!

[juliloveswinnie]

Hey there! So I just adopted a 1 month old guinea pig, Winnifred, from a friend who had about 15 other pigs. I am so so worried that she will become very lonely, although I do hang out with her and hold her throughout the day. I feel like going from so many pigs to none, is a huge transition for her. She has only spent 2 days with me so far, minimal squeaking, usually when she eats, sometimes when I hold her & also hasn't drank her water! I showed it to her, but still no luck. Winnie also has not been pooping or eating in her cage regularly. She mostly hides in her little dome. I know she hasn't been here for that long, maybe I should give her some time to adjust? And if she seems lonely, I'll adopt another pig? What do you think?

 

[Betsy]

Welcome to our friendly forum. New pigs do need sometime to settle. Leave her for a couple of days to get used to her new surrounding. She won't go hungry or thirsty she will be eating when you're not around. A friend is a good idea as piggies are not wired to live on their own. Here are some useful guides for you. (A litttle light night time reading!)

Settling In And Making Friends With Guinea Pigs - A Guide
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs

 

[Merab]

Hello and welcome.
As @Betsy has said there’s lots of help on the forum, including good stuff on finding a suitable companion for a lone piggy.
Looking forward to pictures

 

[juliloveswinnie]

thank you!

 

[Flutterby]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

 

[Allena]

Hello Juli. I'm new to the GP Forum too, but it's a friendly, helpful place. Relax. You are amoongst friends - human and piggy! I also have a solo guinea pig, named Freddie. (He was an unsought gift my cousin's daughter was given! She, wisely realising she did not have the necessary time to devote to him, passed him on to me. I love my wee Freddie to bits. He is approx 2 years old, but has never had the company of another guinea pig. He seems very settled as an "only pig". I asked my Vet if I should try and get Freddie a friend, but was advised not to, as the transition after so long alone may be upsetting to him. He is an un-neutered boar, who might possibly resent his territory being 'invaded'. Anyway, I did not upset the status quo.

Your wee Winnifred sounds adorable. Having been used to a herd, she may indeed feel anxious and lonely but, as the wiser members here have said, give her time to adjust to her new home, before introducing more major changes into her life. I look forward to seeing pics of your wee girl. Best wishes and good luck. 'Allena' & Freddie

 

[Janice C]

Hey there! So I just adopted a 1 month old guinea pig, Winnifred, from a friend who had about 15 other pigs. I am so so worried that she will become very lonely, although I do hang out with her and hold her throughout the day. I feel like going from so many pigs to none, is a huge transition for her. She has only spent 2 days with me so far, minimal squeaking, usually when she eats, sometimes when I hold her & also hasn't drank her water! I showed it to her, but still no luck. Winnie also has not been pooping or eating in her cage regularly. She mostly hides in her little dome. I know she hasn't been here for that long, maybe I should give her some time to adjust? And if she seems lonely, I'll adopt another pig? What do you think?

Hello and welcome!
Just an idea! Why not ask your friend to let you have another of her piggies? If she was used to being with them she will be lost and a bit lonely, particularly as she is so young.
Occasionally people do keep a single piggy for one reason or other bet we do usually try and get people to adopt some company for their little piggy. Read up all the guides as shown on @Betsy post to you. Xx

 

[Betsy]

@Allena is there good rescue near you that offers boar dating? That way Freddie could choose his own friend and wouldn't feel his "space" was being "invaded". There is a rescue locator at the top of the page.

 

[Allena]

@Allena is there good rescue near you that offers boar dating? That way Freddie could choose his own friend and wouldn't feel his "space" was being "invaded". There is a rescue locator at the top of the page.

Sadly, no. That's part of the problem. Guinea pigs do not feature highly in rescues or shelters here - at least not by comparison to England. They can be bought from pet stores, but that's about it.

 

[Betsy]

Sadly, no. That's part of the problem. Guinea pigs do not feature highly in rescues or shelters here - at least not by comparison to England. They can be bought from pet stores, but that's about it.

Oh well it was just a thought .... I have bonded piggies before and it's not for the faint hearted! Luckily my 5 all get on.