New guinea pigs: scabs, very shy

Question
QUESTION: Hello!
We just purchased two guinea pigs from our local pet shot, which seems to take good care of their pets. Males and females are separated, cages are clean, and the stock is limited and is mostly babies coming from the owners'own pets, it seems. The shopkeeper is very nice, and while she had some very young babies from her own pets in the shop, we thought maybe it might be better to buy the two who had been in shop (also from a home) since December (5 months old) and are very placid might be a better idea. We brought them home, and I realized in retrospect that I had actually never seen them go outside of the little house they had in their cage in the shop, and that is where they are staying here now at our home, too! The other younger ones in the shop were running around, exploring, and yes, sometimes also hiding if people came around, but definitely more active. These two seemed so sweet, that I didn't think anything of it at the time, so we got them. Now I realize (now that we have spent more time with them on our own) that they are just plain terrified. Yes, you can hold them, but they seem more paralyzed than pleased. I have been spying on them through window from outside and see that they essentially do nothing all day except occasionally come out to eat the vegies we put out or hide in their house. They also barely make any noise, except that chuffing noise which I read could be a purr but also a back-off signal, the latter seeming more likely. I thought they might enjoy wandering around a bit in small safe space outside the cage with treats, but they seem to hate that even more. The other thing is that when we got them home, I realized that under their long fur (they're Peruvian), there are lots of little scabs, although no missing hair. Could this still be mites? Or is it just because their fur is so long and hard to clean? Could they be ill and that is why they are so quiet? It is hard for my daughter, who was so excited, that they seem so miserable, and now we are wondering if we would have been better off getting the babies....of course, I thought I had done enough research before buying them, but I also think I trusted the shop owner to help us select the right pair for us. (although now in retrospect, she didn't push it one way or another.) Anyway, we feel pretty sad for them...

THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK!!

ANSWER: Hello
Your Guinea Pigs do sound terrified.

Being so shy and timid, it sounds like the scabs could possibly be from being bitten by others in the pet shop.
However if they are long haired, it may be an idea to try bathing them, I've never done it myself, but in all large pet shops you can find Guinea Pig Shampoo or cleaning wipes. Long Haired guinea pigs need constant brushing and washing. This could clear up the scabs.

You also said there were younger guinea pigs in the shop with them, If they are older it could mean they had been rescued. If they did have a different owner who possibly didn't treat them correctly or gave them very little human handling from the beginning it can really make a difference. My guinea pig Parsnip who I rescued from a local pet shop had scars on his face and had been put in the pet shop as his owner had let the other guinea pigs with him attack and dominate Parsnip. When I got him, it took him weeks to recover and still now he can be tricky to catch and tempt out.

Give these little Piggies lots of handling and attention. Bring them in every time you get a chance and slowly their confidence will rise.

I hope this helps.

Megan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Megan,

Thank you so much for your reply! Interestingly, when I called the shop keeper she said the same thing, that perhaps they had bitten by other pigs in the cage even though they were younger, but to bring them in and she would check.

In your experience, would it have been better to get the babies, who were 6 weeks? I thought 5 months was still young, and had seen things on the internet recommending getting older pigs for children, but now I am realizing we should have looked a little more to see which pigs were active and which were not. Anyway, we are new to this!

Also, when you say bring them in, do you mean from outside? We have them inside, but I was thinking about putting them out in the garden in a hutch when it is warmer as that might be more enjoyable for them than a meter long cage, but being that they are so fearful, I am not sure. Do you recommend keeping them outside? I have a friend who keeps hers outside all year!

Thanks again

Jenny


Answer
Jenny
Mine stay outside all year, and they are fine, all you have to do is make sure they have plenty of bedding and a blanket to go over their cage at night.
It may possibly help them as they will hear more natural noises and it could let them relax more.
I do think that it could help, definitely as the weather is getting warmer.
It could give them a complete new view on life and do them some good.

And for first time owners I think getting younger piggies is better, as it is like starting a fresh. With older guinea pigs you never know what you are going to get as their life is already started. It can be hard to regain their confidence and make them friendlier.
But if you start from scratch it is easy to make them friendly!

I hope I have been of help to you.
Just spend as much time as you can with them and they will eventually become friendly and happy guinea pigs, it will just take more time and patience than with baby piggies