Reintroducing A New Guinea Pig

Gems15

Gems15

New Born Pup
Joined
Sep 30, 2017
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Points
45
Hello,
2 days ago I lost my beautiful male guinea pig Sully. He was in the run with his friend Mike and a cat found a way into the run and dragged him off, I am absolutely heartbroken.

Both are 6 months old and I housed them outside in a two tier hutch but after losing Sully the other day, I brought Mike inside. The cat has been circling the garden the last few days (I believe we just caught him when it happened as Sully’s Body was only a metre away with only a scratch) and I couldn’t bear to leave him outside alone.

Mike is eating, he is quiet but ok and yesterday decided to buy another male guinea pig to keep him company. The baby is 8 weeks old.

Both are kept apart at the moment while he settles in but after handling the baby and then Mike, he was clattering his teeth-is this a sign of aggression? Has he picked up the smell of the new baby?

I have them in the same room, just separated. I am after some advice as to how I start to introduce them to each other. The baby is still very shy, eating and pooping (he has been out of his hiding place) but also quiet and lonely too. Do I leave it a few days/weeks? A person said to move them next to each other (separated) and then swap them over to get used to the smell and then introduce them on neutral ground?-is this the way to go?

The teeth clattering worried me slightly as I know he’s still mourning but I also don’t want the baby hurt.

Thanks in advance,
Gemma
 
How dreadful. I am so sorry for you and your little one. It only takes a minute. I had a near miss with my friend's dog the other day, so I understand how easily these things can happen. Poor little mite.
 
Gems15 said:
Hello,
2 days ago I lost my beautiful male guinea pig Sully. He was in the run with his friend Mike and a cat found a way into the run and dragged him off, I am absolutely heartbroken.

Both are 6 months old and I housed them outside in a two tier hutch but after losing Sully the other day, I brought Mike inside. The cat has been circling the garden the last few days (I believe we just caught him when it happened as Sully’s Body was only a metre away with only a scratch) and I couldn’t bear to leave him outside alone.

Mike is eating, he is quiet but ok and yesterday decided to buy another male guinea pig to keep him company. The baby is 8 weeks old.

Both are kept apart at the moment while he settles in but after handling the baby and then Mike, he was clattering his teeth-is this a sign of aggression? Has he picked up the smell of the new baby?

I have them in the same room, just separated. I am after some advice as to how I start to introduce them to each other. The baby is still very shy, eating and pooping (he has been out of his hiding place) but also quiet and lonely too. Do I leave it a few days/weeks? A person said to move them next to each other (separated) and then swap them over to get used to the smell and then introduce them on neutral ground?-is this the way to go?

The teeth clattering worried me slightly as I know he’s still mourning but I also don’t want the baby hurt.

Thanks in advance,
Gemma
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry about your loss, and the way it happened. You are welcome to post a tribute to Sully in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you.

Firstly, you have to weigh up the benefits of quarantine against the need for company of the young baby and Mike. Once you have decided whether to quarantine or risk it and treat both piggies if there is an infectious issue contracted at the pet shop or breeder you either wait until the end of the quarantine or put both cages next to each other straight away, so the two boys can get used to each other as neighbours.
Importance Of Quarantine

Mike is likely still grieving and somewhat traumatised from the cat attack. Give him time. Acute pining (giving up on life) is thankfully very rare - that is the case where you need to get a new friend asap. In all other cases it is generally better to allow your piggy to grieve. That doesn't take as long as we humans do, but a new friend may not necessarily be well received. You also have to be aware that not every baby will hit it off with every adult boar; mutual liking plays a big part. You will know when the time for intros has come; the boys will tell you.

If things don't work out, please contact one of our recommended safe guinea pig rescues if possible to help you find a good solution for both piggies involved. Most of them offer dating at the rescue. I assume that you are from the UK? You can help us by adding your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can help you most efficiently. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. This makes it appear with every post you make. We have members from all over the world. Thank you!
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator

You will find our detailed bonding guide very helpful; it talks you through all the stages of the bonding process, starting from the run up to end of the of the dominance phase usually a couple of weeks later: Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
 
Thank you very much for all your kind thoughts and help!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top