laziest pigs in the universe

[honeypanda]

Thanks to this site, I just built a 2 x 5 C & C cage. I have three pigs in it, all sisters that I got from a breeder at about 6 weeks of age. I also have a lone female that I acquired in May, she was a classroom pet. She is now in the sisters' old cage, a 2 x 3' modified hutch.

My problem is this; even with all the extra room they now have, with toys and things to do, they still all lie around like slugs. Granted, I gave them pigloos and a tent and a tube and a wooden house, but still, I would think they'd PLAY a little.

I give them floor time (the lone female and one sister together, because they get along, and the two other sisters. I tried letting them all out together but Evie is an alpha female to the max, and just tries to fight with Honey, the lone female, and I think she'd hurt her if I wasn't there.) and they do run around a bit, then sprawl, then explore, and I try to give them floor time every day. But the rest of the time they all just lay in their tents or whatever until 15 minutes has passed and they're hungry again. Do I just have 4 lazy pigs? They have the room, where's the action?

 

[PiggieMom]

That actually sounds quite normal for guinea pigs.

 

[My Baby Mu]

Seems pretty normal.

Did your dominate female ever make the one bleed. You shouldn't seperate unless there is bloodshed. Go here- https://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm .

 

[honeypanda]

My dominate female didn't make Honey bleed, no. But she would have. She was chattering and attacked her a couple times. If I hadn't intervened, I think there would have been blood. The main thing that concerns me is that when I have all four out, Evie and then Pudgeball, her sister that gets along with her very well, both started chattering at each other, and they never did before. I know the dynamic changes when you introduce a new one, but I hate to mess up a good thing. When I let them out in pairs, it goes very well, as Angel and Honey are both more mellow, and there's never any fighting at all.

This doesn't really belong in this thread, sorry. My main point is that even if they do remain huge slugs who lie around all day, I'm still glad I built the huge cage. I did the whole thing for about $50, it wasn't that hard to do, and I love that they have so much room. Pet store cages don't even come CLOSE. Every time I walk in their room and see that huge cage, I feel so good.

 

[Fluffball]

Congratulations on a great cage! Maybe add a second level with a ramp? Ive noticed that my girls are much more active now that they have a second level, mainly because their food is up there and they have to run up and down the ramp to go get it. Downstairs is their toy and play area.

Guinea pigs will fight with eachother and teeth chatter. This is normal behaviour and nothing to be worried about. I know its difficult to see them fight but they have to in order to sort out dominace. They should only be seperated if blood is shed. Cavies can fight very rough and no blood be shed at all. Make sure you have a dust pan handy and just keep seperating them until they calm down and then let them introduce themselves again. Keep doing this until dominance is sorted. Its hard to watch but it has to be done, and once its been sorted they can live together and it will be best for them in the long term. It will be more of a good thing once its done, they wil be more social with eachother and learn to be together.

Check out the pictures on second levels and ramps. They will give you some good ideas if you want to add one. Goodluck with your girls, ask any questions if you have any problems.

 

[pennick]

My piggies were active in the beginning. As they get older they tend to simmer down and become less active. Mine will become alert when it's time for breakfast, then treat, then fill up their hay. Then after about an hour they become lazy again unless it's to nibble on their hay or drink some water. Then they perk up for dinner time.