Is Alone Okay?

[golden sonata]

I know a lot of you have two or more guinea pigs, and I only have one. Will the fact that I don't have other pigs sadden my only one? I gave it some floor time, and it didn't do much... just went and hid under a desk... which led me to think it really wants a friend. But I can't get another one, my parents won't allow it.

[woltra]

hi there

I'm reading the forums here and noticed that you posted that you just got your guinea pig on the 18th, which is the same day you posted this. If this was your little guy's first day my bet is that he was scared. Our two little guys didnt do anything but hide in the litter box or their favorite tube the first day we had them out for floor time. They were scared of us, scared of the new place, and they did have each other. It took them a few times actually to get used to it.

First of all I have a little pen for them, we have carpets and so I didnt want the pee to ruin the carpet so I bought a queen sized water proof matress pad, I cut off the fitted edges so that it would lay completely flat, then I used more cube panels to create a 4 x 5 gride area that we can also sit in while they are free to run in the space. But at the same time, they cant run and hide under the bed, or behind the tv or anything, so that might help if you find a more open area and block it so he/she cant run off.

To get them to be active, at first I needed to remove their hidy tube, cause otherwise all they would do is sit in that. If all they have is us for shelter, then they were a little more motivated to get up and run around.

Also, I always take their two corner litter pans out if their cage and in the pen with us and they use those now, we've gone a day with no accidents on the pad. They do end up going and sitting in them when they are tired from running around or if they dont feel like running. If that is the case then I just put them back in their cage, so they can nap in peace.

anyways, congratulations on your new baby We sure do luv ours.

Originally Posted by golden sonata

I know a lot of you have two or more guinea pigs, and I only have one. Will the fact that I don't have other pigs sadden my only one? I gave it some floor time, and it didn't do much... just went and hid under a desk... which led me to think it really wants a friend. But I can't get another one, my parents won't allow it.

[kennethlhm]

try to convince ur parents that GP needs fren also
for better health also since they will live happily

[cavylover]

He wont be sad if hes never lived with another pig he'll just feel empty. He'll be ok living by himself. Unless you really wanna get a friend to him . It will bring much joy in his life but not very much.I know im gonna get shit for that but thats my opinion.

[Merrill]

As long as you spend tons of time with him, like atleast 30 minutes a day, preferably more though (I've heard you should spend 1-2 hours), he should be perfectly happy ^^

[cavylover]

Yup Yup.an hour should be good and lots of things in his cage to play with.Well not alot make it a challenge for him to get his alfalfa or something liek that

[Merrill]

Originally Posted by cavylover

Yup Yup.an hour should be good and lots of things in his cage to play with.Well not alot make it a challenge for him to get his alfalfa or something liek that

If the pig is older, it shouldn't be getting alfalfa. Only if it's pregnant or nursing.

Which brings me to my next point :P Sorry if your pig isn't a "him" because it's hard to tell because in your post you reffered to him/her as it.

[cavylover]

shouldnt be getting alfalfa tell me why not

[Merrill]

Originally Posted by cavylover

shouldnt be getting alfalfa tell me why not

Well, Alfalfa has too much Calcium (I think that's what it is) and older pigs should only get it sparingly, because only baby, pregnant, nursing (and now I have found out, malnourished) adults need that much Calcium, and it can lead to bladder stones. But older pigs should be given Timothy instead, and alfalfa should only be supplemented, it shouldn't replace timothy. There's more here:

http://guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html

[tashagurl]

alfalfa is VERY high in fat. timothy or bermuda hay is better. alfalfa is ok every so often.you dont want a fat pig, do you?

[cavylover]

yes yes i do :P i give all of them a handful of alfalfa a week and keep their cage filled with timothy.

[Dravena]

Here in sweden you are required to keep guineas in pairs (there are loopholes regarding males though). Even if your pig seems happy, you will probably notice a big change if he gets a friend. They are social animals and live in groups in the wild.

[GuineaTV]

My advice: do what your parents say, and someday when you have your own house, you can get whatever pets you want. I didn't have any pets growing up, and began with one darling pig when I lived in an apartment. Although getting a friend for your pig will not change his relationship with you (like it does with birds), to this day Charlie (my first) is the most cuddly with people because we were his best friends until he was lucky enough to get piggy buddies. I agree that it's better for guineas to have a friend, but it's not the end of the world if he doesn't have one - you have to give him lots of attention which I'm sure you are doing.
Floor Time - Charlie used to hide all day at the beginning. Don't sweat it. He'll come out when he's ready. Bribe him with veggies to get him to emerge! I disagree about taking out the hidey box - he should feel secure and have a place to hide if he doesn't. Be warned - piggie curiosity increases so make sure to block off unsafe areas!
Too much calcium gives adult guinea pigs gallstones. Hence the lack of alfalfa in my house. Truth is, commercial guinea pig pellets are MADE from alfalfa, so I buy Timothy pellets from Petfooddirect and theferretstore, but if you can't afford it I wouldn't sweat it - just don't feed him Alfalfa hay in addition and stay away from spinach and broccoli.

[Emrielle]

I had Boerichter for two months before I got his roommate, and he was very happy, of course very spoiled as well. After I got Maslowski, though Boe has become more dominant and sometimes I have to be sure to hold him a lot more since he sometimes believes I love Maz more. That can happen to pigs, but you definately do not have to have two or more. One will do fine as long as you spend time with him, but giving him a friend will probably increase his sociality and maybe he could turn happier, so its really just a matter of your choice. I have had happy pigs by themselves, and happy pigs together, so either way has worked.

[Dinochick]

My piggy is all alone in having a piggy friend, but our bird cage is right next to Teebos cage and they seem to interact well, its quite entertaining, . My cats are also interested in Teebo. Shadow just likes to sit and watch him when we have floor time, while Kelty likes to smell him and tap him. (And before anyone freaks out on me, I am in arms reach of him at all times and Kelty would never hurt him, she is afraid of her won shadow, but still feels the need to act liek a cat, !).

Can someone inform me again as to why they shouldn't get spinach everyday, and could you suggest some alternatives. Teebo really enjoys his spinach and squeeks with excitment at the russling of the bag!

[mncavylover]

Oxalic acid and calcium content is high, can cause kidney stones, etc. You could try Romaine, Kale, or Parsley as alternatives. =)

[Piglet]

You can give alfalfa to older pigs as a treat, which cavylover is doing. Once a week will not harm them.

[ChadWPB]

Originally Posted by mncavylover

Oxalic acid and calcium content is high, can cause kidney stones, etc. You could try Romaine, Kale, or Parsley as alternatives. =)

It can have bad side effects, but our pigs think it's yummy. That's why I refer to spinach as "piggie potato chips". On the positive side, spinach is high in Vitamin C.