Odd GP behaviors

Furbil

Furbil

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 18, 2018
Messages
8
Reaction score
2
Points
45
I had a female GP in the past, and it never displayed any sort of fear, anger, or irritability. I recently got a second GP, which is a male; and it displays odd behaviors that I am unfamiliar with. I got it about 3 weeks ago. This GP:
  1. GP Hops like a bunny.
  2. GP Hates being out of cage. It squeals whenever I try to take it out of the cage, and sometimes runs away when I try to pick it up to get it out of the cage.
  3. GP becomes calm once I am able to get it out of the cage.
  4. GP loves sitting on my lap and stare at my face. I tried to outstare it one time while it was on my lap, and I ended up falling asleep because it wouldn't stop staring at my face for almost 30 minutes.
  5. GP looks up towards the ceiling, or up in different directions when there is clearly NOTHING there. But the GP stares as if something is there when there isn't anything there.
I always get a feeling that my GP is like a person. I can't quite explain it; but there is a STRONG "presence" like an intelligent presence is there and is aware of all my moves.

Can someone help me understand why my GP behaves the way that it does as listed above?
 
Hello! Welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy your time here!

First off are they living with your female piggy?

right to help

  1. GP Hops like a bunny. Do they walk normally?
  2. GP Hates being out of cage. It squeals whenever I try to take it out of the cage, and sometimes runs away when I try to pick it up to get it out of the cage. That is normal, guinea pigs are prey animals so most nearly all hate being picked up even the most tamest of piggy it scares them so much. I would recomend using a technique like the ones listed here How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
  3. GP becomes calm once I am able to get it out of the cage. This happens and is normal, i would advise starting off we laptimes for a few minutes with new or scared piggies piggies then pop them back, slowly increasing the time.
  4. GP loves sitting on my lap and stare at my face. I tried to outstare it one time while it was on my lap, and I ended up falling asleep because it wouldn't stop staring at my face for almost 30 minutes. Some piggies settle well on laps never fall asleep though as you are responsible for their welfare and they may wander off your lap while you are asleep
  5. GP looks up towards the ceiling, or up in different directions when there is clearly NOTHING there. But the GP stares as if something is there when there isn't anything there. Nothing to worry about there, they are looking artound
 
Thank you for your reply. It took a lot off of my mind as I was concerned that something may have been wrong with him.

I had my female GP almost 15 or more years ago. This recent male GP lives alone in his cage. My GP walks normally as with all other GP's that I have seen in videos.
 
It’s good that you feel more calm about things now.
Do consider getting your piggy a friend though - they are social animals and get lonely and depressed if they are on their own.
 
I often call the pet store to see if they ever have female GP's and they almost never have them. Only male ones. I was planning on breeding them, and I was concerned that if I got another male GP, there might be a dominance issue going on with them.
 
We are a non breeding forum and talk of breeding piggies is against forum rules. So many things can go wrong with pregnant sows. There are also a lot of piggies in rescues so if you want your piggie to have a friend then boar dating at a rescue is the way to go or get your piggie neutered and after the 6 week wait get him a wifepig or two.
 
Furbil said:
I often call the pet store to see if they ever have female GP's and they almost never have them. Only male ones. I was planning on breeding them, and I was concerned that if I got another male GP, there might be a dominance issue going on with them.
Click to expand...


Hello and welcome.

When you signed up to the forum you agreed to abide by our terms and conditions Terms of Service And Forum Rules. The forum has a policy of strictly no discussion about intentional breeding. You are welcome here as a member provided that you do not make further reference to intentional breeding. Please take this as a polite warning that further discussion on the subject could lead to the termination of your account.
 
I do want to apologise for mentioning breeding GP's. I have a reading disability, and often have difficulty paying attention to words; whether they are typed out or spoken verbally. Obviously I must not have caught that stipulation in the agreement whilst registering, and I would never intentionally break any rules in any way. That's just not in my nature to do such things. Having said that, I can't stop my GP from making these bizarre sounds that I cannot explain in detail. I have searched a lot of videos on Youtube about GP noises, and what they mean; and still I could not find anything remotely similar to the noises my GP makes. It is an onomatopoeia sound similar to an "oink" -- but shorter and high-pitched, and in short intervals between the sounds. And my GP would also gnaw on the cage bars too when making these sounds.

I have read that some GP's stand on their hind legs, but my GP at times stands on its front legs instead. I also did some research on this and found no answer to why he does this. All my GP does is eat all day and sleep. It doesn't do anything else! I often see the back half of his body sticking out from inside the feeding bowl when it is tipped over. Is this normal?
 
Furbil said:
I do want to apologise for mentioning breeding GP's. I have a reading disability, and often have difficulty paying attention to words; whether they are typed out or spoken verbally. Obviously I must not have caught that stipulation in the agreement whilst registering, and I would never intentionally break any rules in any way. That's just not in my nature to do such things. Having said that, I can't stop my GP from making these bizarre sounds that I cannot explain in detail. I have searched a lot of videos on Youtube about GP noises, and what they mean; and still I could not find anything remotely similar to the noises my GP makes. It is an onomatopoeia sound similar to an "oink" -- but shorter and high-pitched, and in short intervals between the sounds. And my GP would also gnaw on the cage bars too when making these sounds.

I have read that some GP's stand on their hind legs, but my GP at times stands on its front legs instead. I also did some research on this and found no answer to why he does this. All my GP does is eat all day and sleep. It doesn't do anything else! I often see the back half of his body sticking out from inside the feeding bowl when it is tipped over. Is this normal?
Click to expand...

The noise you are describing, sounds like their normal sound. Guinea pigs ‘wheek’. It’s jusf how they talk and show excitement.
Sometimes piggies will stand on their hind legs to climb up the bars. I don’t understand what you mean about your pig standing on his front legs?
Yes, all they do is sleep and eat! They must eat constantly to remain healthy. Without a friend to live with, then there isn’t a lot else your piggy can do. If you had another with your pig, then you may see them grooming each other, running around together etc.
 
I found it humorous how my GP reacts to the sample GP noises when it's played. lol!
 
Furbil said:
I do want to apologise for mentioning breeding GP's. I have a reading disability, and often have difficulty paying attention to words; whether they are typed out or spoken verbally. Obviously I must not have caught that stipulation in the agreement whilst registering, and I would never intentionally break any rules in any way. That's just not in my nature to do such things. Having said that, I can't stop my GP from making these bizarre sounds that I cannot explain in detail. I have searched a lot of videos on Youtube about GP noises, and what they mean; and still I could not find anything remotely similar to the noises my GP makes. It is an onomatopoeia sound similar to an "oink" -- but shorter and high-pitched, and in short intervals between the sounds. And my GP would also gnaw on the cage bars too when making these sounds.

I have read that some GP's stand on their hind legs, but my GP at times stands on its front legs instead. I also did some research on this and found no answer to why he does this. All my GP does is eat all day and sleep. It doesn't do anything else! I often see the back half of his body sticking out from inside the feeding bowl when it is tipped over. Is this normal?
Click to expand...
it happens to all of us don't feel bad about mentioning breeding if you didn't know xx
 
Reenie said:
I'm wondering about your piggy staring you out. He might be asleep. They often sleep with their eyes open.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure why my GP does that, but he doesn't move at all when staring at me. I tried to outstare him and I ended up going to sleep after 30 minutes or so. My GP gnaws on the cage whenever I open the fridge door. If I grab a bite to eat for myself, then he won't gnaw on the cage. But whenever I grab vegetables such as carrots and romaine lettuce, it's like his antennae switches on and he knows that I have carrots and lettuce in my hands.
.
lilyandluna said:
it happens to all of us don't feel bad about mentioning breeding if you didn't know xx
Click to expand...
Thank you for your kind and forgiving words, and for understanding me.
 
My GP won't quit gnawing on the cage when he wants carrots or lettuce, even after filling his bowl full of food (e.g., pellets, hay, etc.). He ate for almost 2 hours non-stop. I know that I am not supposed to give GP's carrots too often, but I just don't have the heart to resist him when he's begging for it -- especially when he begins wheeking. Now it seems as if he has got me under his control, and not the other way around.
 
you hit the nail on the head there - he knows how to play you to get what he wants.
They need to eat hay constantly, so make sure that it is always available and only give pellets (maximum of one tablespoon of pellets a day) and veg (a maximum of one cup per day) at meal times

The cage gnawing could be down to the fact that he doesn’t have another piggy friend to live with. Frustration and loneliness can possibly be the cause these kinds of behaviours. Please do consider getting him bonded with either a male friend, or having him neutered and one he is six weeks post neuter, he can have a female friend.
 
Thank you for the advice. The only time my GP will gnaw on the cage is when I open the refrigerator door, and no other time. Once I give him either lettuce or carrots, he will stop gnawing on the cage. I tried to gradually decrease the amount of carrots given to him each day, and I literally tiptoe to the refrigerator and open it very cautiously that he may not detect any movements or sounds; but that doesn't seem to work. I also fear that he might be overweight due to his appearance, which looks like a ball of fur. I may get him a companion soon to see if his social behavior changes, and perhaps this can keep him busy with his newfound friend so may not eat as much as he should be doing. The only thing I dread is that I read that most male GP's usually show who's "in charge" when confronted with another male GP -- and that may lead to fights.
 
Furbil said:
Thank you for the advice. The only time my GP will gnaw on the cage is when I open the refrigerator door, and no other time. Once I give him either lettuce or carrots, he will stop gnawing on the cage. I tried to gradually decrease the amount of carrots given to him each day, and I literally tiptoe to the refrigerator and open it very cautiously that he may not detect any movements or sounds; but that doesn't seem to work. I also fear that he might be overweight due to his appearance, which looks like a ball of fur. I may get him a companion soon to see if his social behavior changes, and perhaps this can keep him busy with his newfound friend so may not eat as much as he should be doing. The only thing I dread is that I read that most male GP's usually show who's "in charge" when confronted with another male GP -- and that may lead to fights.[/QUOTE]



In that case, it does sound like your piggy has trained you. They shouldn’t have carrots daily. Use the guides and information on this site to help you gauge his heft as this will help you determine whether he really is overweight.

Untrue. It is very possible to keep two males together - I have two males myself who are great friends - the key is to make sure they are character compatible. The best way is to ask a rescue centre to help. Depending on where you are located, some rescues will offer boar dating which means that your piggy gets to choose his own friend and that way you know they will be compatible and that fights won’t happen. However, even in compatible pairs, dominance does and will happen - it is the way that guinea pigs sort out their social hierarchy and it is an essential part of the bonding process.
Click to expand...
 
Pressed the wrong button on my last post and it hasn’t come out properly!

In that case, it does sound like your piggy has trained you. They shouldn’t have carrots daily. Use the guides and information on this site to help you gauge his heft as this will help you determine whether he really is overweight.

Untrue. It is very possible to keep two males together - I have two males myself who are great friends - the key is to make sure they are character compatible. The best way is to ask a rescue centre to help. Depending on where you are located, some rescues will offer boar dating which means that your piggy gets to choose his own friend and that way you know they will be compatible and that fights won’t happen.
If you just go out and buy a new piggy, then you have no way of knowing whether their bond will work. However, people do do that and often it works out ok, as long as you follow all the advice on how to do the introductions to maximise the chances of success as much as possible. As said though, ultimately it comes down to compatibility.
However, even in compatible pairs, dominance does and will happen - it is the way that guinea pigs sort out their social hierarchy and it is an essential part of the bonding process.
Neutering him (and then waiting for six weeks after for him to no longer be fertile) tand getting him a female friend is also an option.
 
When we rescued Theo he was a bar biter/plastic nibbler because he'd been kept alone. We gave him lots of edible furniture like seagrass tubes and hay cubes and had him neutered and now he's a very happy little chap with 5 wives. You could always get your piggy neutered and get him a lady friend or two, they could live as next door neighbours during the 6-week post-op period and get to know each other through the cage bars. Even that sort of social interaction, chatting to a neighbour and sniffing them and sharing piles of hay placed at the cage boundary is very exciting for a lonely piggy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top