Guinea Pig Companion

Question
I just purchased a new family member for my home (Guinea Pig). She is very sweet, however I am worried. She hasnt done much, eating, drinking, moving etc. I see that they are truley happy with others of their own kind, is that true? Is that why she seems so depressed? How can I get her to eat and drink in the mean time?

Answer
Hi Ayami,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I am a full time carer for newborn twins so have had many problems in finding just five minutes to myself. Apologies if any inconvenience was caused.

It is normal for guinea pigs to be inactive and not wanting to eat or drink for the first few days in their new home, so limit your interaction with them for the first week to just the essentials - cleaning and feeding. Try not to handle them unless necessary, and there is little point in letting them out for floor time as they will be too frightened to actually acheive the objective of it. After the first 5-7 days then you can gradually begin handling them little and often and giving them short sessions of floor time (with lots of hideys!).

But you are right, they are much happier with a companion. Look into adopting from a rescue or shelter (there are a certain few problems with purchasing from  breeders and pet stores (especially pet stores)) as soon as possible - there are certain checks which may need to be carried ot and that may take a few weeks, so I advise starting to look around now so you can adopt a friend for your new piggie sooner rather than later:

For the US - www.cavyrescue.com
For the UK - www.guineapigrehome.org.uk

Make sure your piggie has unlimited amounts of hay available all the time. Hay is very important in their diet as well as being a fun "toy"! Grass hay is the recommended - so meadow, timothy, orchard-grass, bluegrass, oat and brome are all good grass hays to try. Avoid legume hays such as alfalfa especially if you are feeding a pellet based on alfalfa hay or veggies like spinach, kale, carrots and parsley.

Also get a vet check as soon as possible too. If you purchased her there is a chance she may be sick, pregnant or mis-sexed. A vet check lets you see if you are happy with your choice of vet (try and find an exotics vet if you can), determines the true sex of the piggie, and also makes sure she is in good health (and if she is sick then you get treatment hopefully before the illness is more advanced and thuis harder to treat).

If you require any further help, let me know and I will be glad to assist.

Best Wishes,

- Laura
www.cavy-care.com