Understanding Pork

[Pork]

Hello!

I have had my boy pig now for nearly a year - he is a lone pig in a 4ft large pen and we spend a lot of time together.

I just need to understand his body language and sounds a bit more.

Questions:-

1. when he tugs at my clothes after a long sleep on my lap or chest, i think he means "enough" or "gotta pee please" --- is this correct interpretation of the tug?

2. jumping up and down with short sharp squeaks (sometimes high frequency) - is this happy or angry or annoyed? ?/

3. running around and around in his pen like he's on a marathon - going insane? releasing frustration? getting rid of nervous energy? trying to lose weight? rolleyes

4. acting crazy when I am cleaning his cage (every night) --- he follows the two spades that I use, as if stalking them, then chasing them, jumping on them, head-butting them, jumping over them, jumping up and down with a variety of squeaks and gurgling purring sounds, dragging his balls (testicles) as if to wipe it on the floor --- hard to describe! Does this mean "get out of my house!" ? ?/?/?/?/?/

5. playing "tag" - after cleaning his cage, he seems to sit in anticipation of something (his body language is difficult to describe) --- but when he sits like that, I pretend my hand is chasing him, I give him a light tap on the bum then he chases me and gives my hand a light "bite" (not hard enough to be called a real bite) --- then my hand chases him again to "tag" him --- then he does the same with me again. Sometimes he can eventually become rough and his "light bite" becomes slightly harder (tho not enough to wound). I then stop. Is this play or aggression?

Should I continue or stop doing any of the above?
I am aware I could be misunderstanding his language.
He SEEMS to be a playful, "full-of-life" pig - but I want to understand him properly.

Thank you for reading and for any response you can give.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Welcome to the forum!

1) Indeed, Pork has had a enough and needs to go to the toilet. Other guinea pigs become wiggly or bite/nibble to indicate that they need off.

2-3) It's called popcorning and is a sign of happiness.

4) This is typical boar/guinea pig interactive behaviour which your boy does to moving objects because he hasn't got piggy company.

5) This is typical play behaviour as well; the other guinea pig would tell him off if it got too much.

Please consider getting your boy a playmate, as all the wonderful time you are spending with him (and by the sound of it, you are caring extremely well for Pork) can't make up for the lack of round-the- clock company of his own kind. You are also missing out on the interaction between piggies, which for me is the big delight in having them!

You might like to read this thread as it addresses many issues with keeping single and multiple guinea pigs and how piggy society works in a very insightful and informative manner: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=37654

Here is a link to boar behaviour, so you can understand better what Pork is doing: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

Here is a link to a website with guinea pig sounds - play them to Pork and see how he reacts! http://www.jackiesguineapiggies.com/guineapigsounds.html

 

[Pork]

thank you for your response to my post, Wiebke and for explaining to me the meanings of my pig's actions/sounds.

It sounds like he is happy I am just so glad I'm not doing anything that is making him angry or irritated. He is very playful and assertive!

Re getting him a friend: had i been given the correct information in the very beginning when I got him, I probably would have been more cautious about buying him.
When I asked A LOT of questions at the shop where I got him, I was assured over and over again that guinea pigs can live alone. I was concerned because I only have space for one guinea pig so I really pressed the shop staff. They were very patient with me and said that a lot of them (staff) keep lone guinea pigs who are happy and healthy. Based on that information, I bought my pig.

It was annoying that the shop sold me a small cage to begin with - he grew fast and it was not kind to keep him in it! Since then, I have built him a 4ft cage and spend hours and hours with him. My husband says that my guinea pig thinks and acts like I'm "Mrs Guinea Pig"

Also, a friend of mine says that she made a mistake when she got a friend for her boar --- she says that even after doing all the right things (slow introductions etc), she has had to separate them because of fighting. I cannot risk this as I simply do not have space for an extra cage.

I regret the fact that I received wrong advice from the beginning - but I am where I am now and am trying to give the very best to my beloved boar, even if it means acting like a boar myself

 

[Tracyxx]

Your cage would be more than big enough for another boar, if you could have one. I can guarantee you would see a huge change in his behaviour (for the best, too) if he got a friend. Lone guinea pigs, however long they have been lone guinea pigs, are always happier, healthier, better piggies when they have a friend.

 

[Wiebke]

2x4 ft is the minimum recommendation for two guinea pigs, so you would have the required space for two. You can also add a mezzanine floor with a grill rack and cable ties if you wish so! (Have a look through our cage/hutch gallery for ideas, but start from the end!)

One possibility is to look for a rescue near you that will allow you to take Pork for some "boar dating" under their supervision or even to try and bond Pork for you; that way you do not have to fear ending up with two single piggies and nowhere to go; a rescue will also take character compatibility into account when introducing boars. As rescues have every interest in not getting any rehomed pets back, they will take great care and will also help with support during the settling in period.

Here is a list of reputable guinea pig rescues in Britain:
http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp

Perhaps you are within reach of one of the rescues active on here, so they could help you out? If you state your area when you post in our "rescue - wanted" section, they may contact you. You sound like a dream owner, so I'm sure that you won't have any problems with passing a homecheck!

The other possbility is to have Pork neutered, which is an option with boars that do not get on with other males. Cross gender relationships are usually extremely stable and loving, but you have to face the risk of an operation. It really pays to find an experienced, piggy savvy vet (ask your local rescues who they can recommend), as that makes a huge difference for a successful op and recovery. However, it can't eliminate all risks. Several members on here have had boars neutered lately.

It is a sad fact that many pet shops are notorious for their lack of knowledge and care; we have still too many newbies coming on here with tiny cages, sick, missexed or pregnant piggies... mallethead
(PS: I started out with the last variant!rolleyes)

 

[Pork]

thank you again, for a speedy and VERY HELPFUL response (and links)!

I bought my piggy from Pets at Home --- I was there to accompany someone and, while I was waiting, fell in love with the guinea pigs on display. I asked a gazillion questions on care etc and, when I expressed doubts, they were ADAMANT that guinea pigs are FINE on their own! They even gave me examples from their own experiences. So I believed them ... mallethead

I am pretty sure I do not want to put my boar through an operation so I will certainly consider "boar dating." There is a guinea pig rescue place not so far from us --- I think that would be a good starting point. I just hope I don't get jealous if he finds a "soul mate"

If I find myself stuck or needing wisdom, I will ask questions here.

Again, thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

You will find that you can't help falling in love with any guinea pig you have... rolleyes I am sure that Pork will always have that special place in your heart and so will you in his! Once a piggy has given his love, it will stay loyal throughout its whole life.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have; you will find that we lots of info in our reference section as well as at the top of the other sections; it's always worth browsing!

PS: I would really like to see a picture of Pork! He sounds very "chunky boar"!

 

[JackyB]

Oh yea i love seeing piccies x)

Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[Pork]

Photo 1 --- looking pensive
Photo 2 --- caught with his mouth open
Photo 3 --- "What are you holding, mum? Is it edible?"

Thanks for your interest

 

[Wiebke]

AWWW - he is a stunner!

Are you cutting his nails or are you taking him to the vets to have it done, btw?

 

[Pork]

You noticed his nails! ")
I trim his nails and he is due a nail cutting session asap !
Not our favourite activity... rolleyes
Thanks for caring

 

[flips]

He's lovely. Great hair. |) Luscious lips. x>>

 

[MellyWelly]

Ooh Pork is a handsome chap - those piggie lips are so cute! :<>
Boy, his nails look long though . . . Mr Bear had his nails trimmed last week, I know it's never a nice experience, but I think he agrees with me now it was worth it. Great pics! x

 

[Wiebke]

You noticed his nails! ")
I trim his nails and he is due a nail cutting session asap !
Not our favourite activity... rolleyes
Thanks for caring

I've got nine wiggly bundles to keep constantly trimmed - it just becomes this automatic thing, sorry! rolleyesrolleyesrolleyes

 

[Pork]

Ooh Pork is a handsome chap - those piggie lips are so cute! :<>

I know - that's why I say yes to everything he wants

Boy, his nails look long though . . . Mr Bear had his nails trimmed last week, I know it's never a nice experience, but I think he agrees with me now it was worth it. Great pics! x

Wiebke commented on it... and I agree. He's due for nail-cutting. Will do it tomorrow morning when the light is good. thanks so much for your post.

 

[Pork]

I've got nine wiggly bundles to keep constantly trimmed - it just becomes this automatic thing, sorry! rolleyesrolleyesrolleyes

A much appreciated comment - thank you Wiebke!
Will do it tomorrow when the light is better.

 

[MidnightAngel]

He looks absolutely gorgeous Pork and very happy. I have to agree with the other comments re company for him. We rehomed our ginny from someone who could not handle little furry things (!). He was a lone ginny for about 6 mths and seemed quite happy. Then I discovered NSGPR and we got some great advice and guidance from Layla and after neutering (he was grand, very experienced vet) Angel became Midnight's cage mate. Angel is elderly and blind so a bit touchy and nervous if Midnight gets close (after 8 mths I still think he has not had his wicked way!). However, you can clearly see the difference in him. He loves having 24*7 company and it was the best thing we did. Good luck with your lad x

 

[Pork]

Thank you MidnightAngel

Nails cut today. It wasn't world war 3 but there was a lot of whining.

 

[katiepops]

Let us know how you get on finding him a friend if that's what you decide to do. It's even lovelier watching how they interact with each other. My two chatter away to each other, I wish I knew what they were talking about! |)

 

[Pork]

Let us know how you get on finding him a friend if that's what you decide to do. It's even lovelier watching how they interact with each other. My two chatter away to each other, I wish I knew what they were talking about! |)

Will do. A friend of mine has a couple of boars and a couple of sows - might bring him over to hers for a "social" and see what he's like with other pigs.
Thank you!