Advice Should I let her go???? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Miss.Kiada** · #1 03-25-09, 04:11 pm

I'm sorry if this is posted in the wrong place, I wasn't quite sure where it would go. I've had bella for a wile now and things have not been going so great. She was adopted and there has been no change from the time I brought her home until now. I went to a few pet shops the other day to see some of their piggy's because as much as my parents say no I would still really like to get her a friend. I noticed the younge piggy's at the store were quite tame. They were interested in me very much and the one I held had no problem with moving around and exploring my sweater. Bella on the other hang who is 2 will shake like she's petrified for a good 30 minuets before even slightly calming down. When she's out on the floor she stay's still even if she's out for an hour. Before she was adopted she had a cage mate who died and I wish the lady had of told me, then she could of gone to a home with another piggy because i think thats really what she needs. She's not coping well at all with being the only one and my parents won't budge. So what to do now? I love her to death but i hate seeing her suffer like that every time I bring her out, and I would feel horrible leaving her in her cage all day and night. Any suggestions? She's been out almost every day for some lap time and floor time and nothing has changed since the 15th of December (2008) when i brought her home. Let me know what you think, I don't want to post anything for her up for "sale" yet until I get an idea from another piggy lover. I would be making sure she went to a home with proof of another female piggy, I don't want her being bread. Let me know, Thanks

**akstrohm** · #2 03-25-09, 04:20 pm

I'm not sure if rehoming her is the best answer or not, but in the meantime you can try the following:

Make sure she has lots of places to hide during floor time (as well as in her cage).
Wrap her in a towel or cozy for lap time.
Hand feed her during lap time.
Take her out frequently but for short periods of time.
Approach the cage slowly and let her know you are there.

**Miss.Kiada** · #3 03-25-09, 04:22 pm

ok thank you

don't mind me asking why would re-homing not be so good? because of all the stress it would probably cause her? Its just sad, she seems to hate me

**BabyBellie** · #4 03-25-09, 04:29 pm

I have one big that still acts like I'm going to eat her every time I hold her. Nothing seems to help so I finally just accepted that she's doing what her insticts tell her. She's a prey animal and is supposed to be wary of giants that pull her out of her home. The main thing I do is make her come out anyway but act calmer with her. I also pet her gently and try not to look at her for too long at a time. I don't think rehoming or getting another pig will really help. I tried bringing my bravest pig out with my scaredy pig and she just feeds off of the scared pigs energy and acts scared herself. I know it seems like you've had your pig for a long time but she may just need extra time to come around now that she doesn't have her friend. I would give her a few more months.

**akstrohm** · #5 03-25-09, 04:30 pm

If you're not able to have more than one pig and you can find her a suitable home with another pig to keep her company, it's not bad to rehome at all. Sometimes that can take a while, though, so I figured I'd offer you some tips anyway. If you just give her to a shelter, there's no guarantee she'll find a home at all, even another home as the only pig. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

**Ly&Pigs** · #6 03-25-09, 04:33 pm

Questions about rehoming and adoption belong in the Adoptables discussion forum.

Quote:

I don't want to post anything for her up for "sale" yet until I get an idea from another piggy lover.

If you do decide to rehome your pig for whatever reason, you can list an ad here and ask for a rehoming/adoption fee but you may not put your pig up for sale.

**Miss.Kiada** · #7 03-25-09, 05:33 pm

actually my mom and I have talked it out and there were alot of factors I wasn't really thinking about. She's not a horrible piggy and there are alot of good side's to her too so I've decided to keep her and with what everyone has told me so far I feel this is the right decision. thanks guys

**suzilovespiggie** · #8 03-26-09, 01:28 am

So if you are going to keep her, she needs a friend. Suggest to your mom to read some of the threads about having a friend. Having two GP's is not more work than having one. Since your pig had a friend before she would probably do well with a friend. If you and your mom do decide it is ok for a friend. Please adopt and not buy one from a petstore.

**Miss.Kiada** · #9 03-26-09, 02:30 pm

yes of course I would adopt, my only problem with getting another pig is my mom is only willing to even consider me having another one if they live in the same cage because she's my pet so my mom says she (and her cage) stay's in my room. I don't have anymore room for another cage :S. So what if they don't get along? I've been trying to talk to her about it ever since i brought Bella home but also our house is going through renovations which is why she's stressed out at the moment and not a good time to bring another piggy home. But i will work on it

**akstrohm** · #10 03-26-09, 08:30 pm

Do you have any rescues nearby that you could adopt from? They will probably be willing to work with you to make sure that the pig that you end up with gets along with your current one. I would wait a little while and talk to your mom when she's in a better mood and will be able to discuss things calmly with you.

**Cavies!** · #11 03-26-09, 11:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shelbz & Bella

I don't have anymore room for another cage :S. So what if they don't get along?

What type of cage do you have?

If it's a c&c cage that is 2X4 grids or more you can divide it in the middle if they dont get along. If you put their food bowls and water bottles on the divided section they might socialize and eventualy they can share the cage.

**akstrohm** · #12 03-27-09, 09:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavies!

What type of cage do you have?

If it's a c&c cage that is 2X4 grids or more you can divide it in the middle if they dont get along. If you put their food bowls and water bottles on the divided section they might socialize and eventualy they can share the cage.

2x2 really isn't big enough for each pig. This would work if you have a 2x6 cage though.