Wont Eat Veg Treats/Bonding Issues

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Rocketpunk

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Hello, everyone. I am a brand new member and this is my first post.

I bought Sasha, my pink eyed white sow, on Saturday from PetSmart. I got a cage, proper bedding, a water bottle, timothy hay, and guinea pig food pellets.

I've read a lot about how piggie's love fresh veggies, especially lettuce, carrots, cucumbers and celery. I work at a restaurant so I stocked up on a bunch of these fresh veggies to bring home to Sasha. Well, ever since I got her, she won't eat the veggies. She only eats her food pellets, and the timothy hay I got for her. The only veggie she has eaten is celery, and that was only one time. I also heard that celery isn't too healthy for piggies.

I really want Sasha to bond with me. I do my best to approach her in a non-threatening way, but she always makes that quiet fearful squeel when I hold her.

I know it takes time and patience, but will she ever come around to wheeking for me and seeking attention and play time? Also, I live with two other roommates and a hound/beagle mix. I do not let the dog in my room whatsoever, so there should be zero chance of the two ever meeting. But my room is full of electronics and there are a ton of wires, so I'm scared to let Sasha out of her cage to stretch her legs and explore. The only room that is relatively safe in any aspect is the bathroom, but I'd feel horrible leaving her in there alone, even with some veggie treats laying around for her to discover. I mean, she doesn't even eat them yet.

She goes to town on the pellets, timothy hay, and the water bottle, so I know she is getting nutrition.

Any ideas on how to coax her into considering the veggies I give her as treats, and eventually get used to me handling her? I long for bonding, and I cannot wait for the day where she seeks out MY attention.

Thanks ahead of time for any comments, suggestions, or helpful criticisms.

Billy
aka
Rocketpunk!
 
Hello and welcome to the forum, youve come to right place or some advice.

The behaviour your little Sasha is displaying is completely normal. Piggies are prey animals and not only take time to get used to you but also to their cages and surroundings. Everythingg pretty scary for her right now. You just need to be patient with her, talk to her while sitting next to her, handling her lots. Being in the room with her and going about your own thing helps too, as she will get used to your comings and goings. All piggies take different amounts of time to tame. But even now, ive had some of my piggies 2 years and although very tame, many hate to be caught for a cuddle. Its just the piggie way.

As for the veg, i would simply perserver. As with the new surrounding, veg is new too, and it might take her a few weeks to get used to trying new things out for herself. So just keep on offering little bits.

Just another quick thing is she could really do with a friend. Yes, piggies like human attention once tame, they really do prefer there own kind. By getting her a friend it will give her more confidence, and will give her a companion for when you are not there all the time.

As for the floor time. There is no reason why she cannot go onto your floor. Try your best to cover and move as many wires as possible. You will need to supervise any floor time if there is any cables about to stop her from chewing.

x.
 
Well, I gave her some floor time. She seemed a little bit more interested in stuff, but she eventually just sat in place for a long time (in the corner, under my bed). When I went to get her to return her to her cage, she freaked out, and I felt horrible for trying to catch her. She ran everywhere and I'm sure my attempts were traumatizing.
 
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I wouldn't worry about them legging it when you try to catch them one of my pairs I've had from baby's now 5 still do it it'd just there natural reaction
 
Hi Billy and Sasha welcome to the forum :)
She is just getting used to her new surroundings, it will all be a bit scary for her at the moment......
Keep to a routine for her if you can, then she'll get to know what's up.
Next time during playtime, perhaps section off an area so she hasn't got as far to run when you go to pick her up. It is totally normal and both my girls still run away......but then usually go to the same place (under a cardboard box with cutouts) and then they just sit whilst i pick them up.
Keep cuddling her too, and quietly chat to her lots, even offer little treats as in parsley or cos/romaine lettuce. She'll then know that 'the hand' is a good thing.......aka food comes :)
Hope you pop a pigture on of Sasha soon.....whee have a stories/photo's section,

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x
 
Yeah, I think I can figure out a play routine for her where she's safe. But my biggest concern is why she won't dig on lettuce (romaine), carrots, and (de-seeded) cucumber. I've also left her chunks of strawberry and de-seeded watermelon. But she hasn't touched anything. Is she just scared? She loves the hay and the pellets. Why not her daily salad?
 
Rocketpunk said:
Yeah, I think I can figure out a play routine for her where she's safe. But my biggest concern is why she won't dig on lettuce (romaine), carrots, and (de-seeded) cucumber. I've also left her chunks of strawberry and de-seeded watermelon. But she hasn't touched anything. Is she just scared? She loves the hay and the pellets. Why not her daily salad?
Click to expand...

Sounds like it's all she's ever been fed...... so it will take time for her to work out that the new veggies/fruits are ok for her.
As long as she's eating her hay, pellets and drinking she'll be fine :)
 
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