Odd Guinea Pig Behaviour, Please Help

[Keiko The Pig]

Hi, I am a new guinea pig owner, have had my newest furry friend for just over a month now. I've noticed some odd behaviour. I have a young Abyssinian boar, who's name is Keiko. Keiko always seems to tilt his head up, as if he's craning to look at the ceiling, though theres nothing interesting up there. I read head tilting sometimes means an ear infection but he never tilts his head to either side. He shows no distress when I give him a rub by his ears. Other then this looking up constantly both in his cage and out, he is the perfect pig. Eats all his hay and pellets, wheeking for food early in the morning, pop corning when i spot clean his cage or take him out for lap time, absolutely loves to be stroked on the nose and closes his eyes when I do so. Should I be worried about this 'looking up' he always does? I read that pigs demonstrate dominance by raising their chins above the others, is he trying to do this with me? Establish dominance? He is a lone piggy but I am home with him nearly 24/7 and give him lots of attention, he even stays in my room so he is never alone at night. Should I be worried about this behaviour? I've googled it loads of times but can't find anything about pigs looking directly above them. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Your little boy is likely bored and trying to look for you and household happenings (smell, hearing and vision) as he is a single piggy and lacks the constant stimulation from a companion of his own kind. I have observed this kind of behaviour much more in single piggies that had to be separated because of illness or quarantine, but not so in guinea pigs in company except when it comes to noises that could be food related (like the fridge door).
It would be great if you considered getting him a same sex friend in the long term. Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, as we have members from all over the world and any further recommendations on that score very much depend on your local resources. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you! That helps us to always tailor any advice to what is revelant for you straight away.
Companionship

Guinea pigs don't have good vision past a foot or two; over longer distances they react to sudden movements; this is consistent with them having evolved in dense grassland where vision is not the thing most needed. Their hearing, sense of smell, touch and taste are much better than our human ones.

 

[Keiko The Pig]

Hi and welcome

Your little boy is likely bored and trying to look for you and household happenings (smell, hearing and vision) as he is a single piggy and lacks the constant stimulation from a companion of his own kind. I have observed this kind of behaviour much more in single piggies that had to be separated because of illness or quarantine, but not so in guinea pigs in company except when it comes to noises that could be food related (like the fridge door).
It would be great if you considered getting him a same sex friend in the long term. Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, as we have members from all over the world and any further recommendations on that score very much depend on your local resources. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you! That helps us to always tailor any advice to what is revelant for you straight away.
Companionship

Guinea pigs don't have good vision past a foot or two; over longer distances they react to sudden movements; this is consistent with them having evolved in dense grassland where vision is not the thing most needed. Their hearing, sense of smell, touch and taste are much better than our human ones.

So he isn't sick then? I don't think he could be looking for me when he's out by my lap. I always sit in the same spot and he runs to me whenever something startles him. Right now I don't have the space for an adequate cage for two pigs and am house searching currently. I plan on getting a friend once I move and know what space I have to work with for a cage.

 

[Wiebke]

So he isn't sick then? I don't think he could be looking for me when he's out by my lap. I always sit in the same spot and he runs to me whenever something startles him. Right now I don't have the space for an adequate cage for two pigs and am house searching currently. I plan on getting a friend once I move and know what space I have to work with for a cage.

No, he isn't sick, just curious and trying to sniff out or see things.

 

[Freela]

In my experience, raising up their head is just so they can see/smell better. My pigs do it often when they hear a new voice in the environment of if there is an interesting scent or unusual noise. They also look up at me plenty when they're sitting on my lap, especially if I say something. Bear in mind that their vision is not that great, so even if you are right there, they may still be 'looking for' you.