Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"...

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

They're in a new place, they need time to acclimate, for question one. It could be anywhere from a few hours more to a few days, depending.
And with the sexing, I believe you press gently on the spot above the genitals, and if it is a male, his, well...male parts will pop out. I think you can also see if its a female by the y shape. I think boys have more of an I.
For the nail cutting, I recommend small animal clippers, but some swear by cat clippers. If the nails are white, don't cut too close to the pink that runs through it. That is called the quick, and will bleed when cut into. If the nails are black, I cannot help, as my pigs own mails are white hope I helped!

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

3. If they aren't hurting the gpig, leave them for a week until he/she gets more settled.
2. Unless you're adding another gpig right away, wait until he/she gets more settled.
1. Every gpig is unique, but hopefully will start to settle when he/she is in a fresh, clean cage with lots of yummy hay, fresh water, a hidey, veggies, plain pellets, etc. They are prey animals, so the gpig will always be a bit skittish. Make sure the cage is big enough, and gpigs are herd animals and like to be with another gpig.

Welcome! There's lots of information that answers your questions in further detail. Some threads have pictures and ideas how to best cut nails and check gender.

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Hello and welcome!!

Your poor new piggy has probably been through a lot, and needs some time to settle in. Guinea pigs are prey animals and it's in their nature to be timid. This little one needs to learn that you don't want to eat them. The best thing is to give it time. Hand feeding delicious veggies will help this pig associate you with good things. After awhile they will learn that you are not a threat.

It sounds like you have a petstore cage, which are generally way too small to house a pig in. If you look around the forum you will see that most of us use C&C cages. These cages are amazing. Easy to clean, easy to construct, economical, and super roomy for pigs to run and play. Look around the forum, you'll get some great ideas.

For sexing, have a look over these links: Sexing Guinea Pigs: How to Sex a Guinea Pig and https://www.guinealynx.info/sexing.html

Trimming nails can be a stressful task for the first few times until you get used to it. I use cat nail clippers, I find them easier to use than human nail clippers. Everyone has their own preferences and method, you will figure out what works best for you after time. I trim off small amounts at a time until I think I'm nearing the quick. If you do happen to hit the quick, have corn starch or something similar on hand to stop the bleeding. It happens, but try to be careful. Here is another think for you on nail trimming: https://www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Welcome to the wonderful world of guinea pigs! Hopefully your new little friend will calm down after he/she gets used to your household. @ellisa shared the sexing link, and I strongly recommend adopting a friend once you're certain of the sex. If possible, adopt a pig with a calm personality and that will help your current pig settle in, too. I got a really calm pig from Craigslist last year, and later I adopted a pig who'd belonged to a kid and who was totally nervous and flighty. My calm pig was a great influence on her, and now she's much calmer and more friendly, although still more nervous than the other one. They have very different personalities, and some never totally warm up to humans.

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Why did your friend not want the gpig?

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Her daughter (14) said that it was boring and didn't want it anymore. None of her other kids cared either. So much for being "handled by kids."

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

How heart less
PETS ARE NOT DISSPOSABLE
can you post a pic of the gpig

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Here it is in our makeshift play area

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Newspaper isn't an ideal bedding, you may want to look into fleece? Please try and provide the biggest living quarters possible for the time being

This is a great site for information, welcome

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

the gpig looks like a girl and a big one was she/he ever housed with males?

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

@GuineaLoveer You can't tell a guinea pigs gender just by looking at their entire self, you have to look at their privates, which she didn't post a picture of (unless it just isn't showing up on my computer).

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Whoa ditto. Gender cannot be determined by looks...

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

I know i just think she/he looks pretty

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

GuineaLoveer said:

I know i just think she/he looks pretty

Click to expand...

I agree, he/she is very cute!

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

If he/she came out while the lights were on, he/she can't be THAT nervous for you. Often times pigs in a new place will hide out until the lights are out or until it's super quiet and they determine that it's "safe" to venture out. The fact that he/she came out while you were in the room, really says something.

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

Awwww what a cute piggie! welcome!

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

The newspaper is down because it was getting it's exercise. I didn't realize there was so much required of piggies until I started googling, but I still think this is a perfect pet for my little girl. He/she will be getting a new cage soon, too. Right now he's in the store bought cage that came with him. About 2x1.

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

It's a good thing you're researching and are on here - there's a ton of people with great info!

It took my girls a couple of months to really get comfortable around me and my daily routine - sometimes they still scatter if I drop something or do something suddenly, it really depends on the guinea pig!

Old towels are a great alternative to play time - I've got a few "GP towels" that I just handwash and dry because they're only for the piggies! Fleece is a great alternative overall! There's a ton of cage ideas on the site - they definitely helped me out when building my 2x5 (for my three girls) which will expand as well haha.

Congrats on the new ball of love! He or she is a cutie! Did you name him/her yet?

Also check out guinealynx.info for awesome info! Here is their info on nail clipping - definitely helped me! https://www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

And some info to help you find out if you have a boy or girl!
https://www.guinealynx.info/sexing.html

Re: Help! I think I just "rescued" a piggie... that was supposed to be "kid-friendly"

I used to use newspaper in my pigs' playpen. Just make sure to swap out wet pieces immediately so they don't sit on that and get bumble foot. Tent up some pieces and your pig might enjoy playing with the paper tent.