Behavior Is she okay?

[cindersnowpeas]

Just brought our first piggy home from the pet store. She was actually an "owner-abandon" and we adopted her. I have no information about previous owner, or guinea pig history including age. One of the things that drew us to her was her very sweet, calm disposistion. She didn't squirm when picked up, run away when we went to grab her, and when my daughter held her piggy just nuzzled right into my daughter's neck.

My initial thought was, of course, that she had been handled a lot. Now I am a bit concerned. After being home a good 16 hours she isn't displaying any "normal" piggy behaviors. She doesn't wheek, she doesn't popcorn, she doesn't play with toys or explore her cage much, she gobbled down an orange slice but wouldn't eat cucumber or tomato,when we had her on the floor she just sat there. She is SO calm. She lets you pet and cuddle her (3 girls plus mommy = a whole BUNCH of loves!) but she just isn't interested in...anything.

Her eyes are clear, her breathing seems to be fine, she has no sores and her skin is clear, she won't stop eating, she drinks well from her new water bottle, her output seems to be fine in both departments...

Is there something I'm missing? Is Princess okay? Should I be concerned? Or is this just who she is?

Thanks for any help or insight you have!

 

[Pawesomepet]

This is normal behavior 16 hrs is nothing it takes days not hours. How big is your cage? Does she have a same sex friend? Do not feed a lot of orange it's very acidy and sugary. Again its normal don't worry. You need to leave her be for the next few days that includes no picking her up or petting her.

 

[cindersnowpeas]

Her cage is a small store bought thing. I had planned on bringing our pigs (eventually we'll have 2 females) home to a big C & C cage but she just couldn't be passed up so we kinda bought her on a whim. I plan to build a bigger cage and get her a friend and introduce them both to the C & C so there are no territory issues.

I was afraid she wasn't receiving vitamin C at the pet store and oranges are what we had on hand, but I also thought they were okay to give to the pigs. If that's incorrect, what, and how much, do you suggest we give her to meet her vitamin needs?

Thanks for the reply! We will really, really try to leave her alone but we are all so excited and she's already so loved and the best addition to our house!!!!

 

[Pawesomepet]

I totally understand not being able to pass her up that's how I've ended up with many of mine I've got 12 lol. Oranges are just fine to feed just not very often many of us feed bell peppers for extra vitamin C as well as a good pelleted food KMS or Oxbow and other various brands as well. I know the excitement as well when I brought home my first two of the 12 I have I couldn't hold in the excitement.

 

[MochaAndMoo]

This is normal, she is settling in.
Give her a few days to herself un-disturbed, so she can adjust to her new surroundings. Remember, pigs are prey animals and it can take months or even years for them to gain your trust, remember to be patient.

I was afraid she wasn't receiving vitamin C at the pet store and oranges are what we had on hand, but I also thought they were okay to give to the pigs. If that's incorrect, what, and how much, do you suggest we give her to meet her vitamin needs?

Guinea pig need around 10 to 20mg/kg of vitamin C daily, bell peppers (capsicum) are a great source of vitamin C and can be fed on a daily basis. Try not to feed to much orange as it is acidic and high in sugar. (Cavy nutrition chart here).
If you think she may be deficient, I suggest around 50mg/kg daily.

Congratulations on your new addition! We'd love to see some pictures!

 

[abc0903]

Our female pig is very similar, but she's also by herself right now. We're in the process of trying to find her a friend, and I hope that will make her personality come out a bit more. When we got her she was in a small pet store cage, which we now use as her litter box in her cage. Once we got her into the bigger cage she did come around a little..though she is still very quiet and calm. She started wheeking after a few days, I guess when she got more comfortable with us. Now when I pass by my daughter's room (which is where her cage is she starts to wheek for attention or for food.

 

[dukestyles]

Totally normal. I thought Nugget was sick he barely moved for about 3 days and if he did eat I never saw it. It took about 2 weeks for him to settle in his new surroundings. Now he is popcorning everywhere and responding to crinkling bags.

 

[Starthecavy123]

Its normal she's in a new place and just needs to get used to everything. She is very small and you and your daughter are quite large to her. I would suggest giving her at least a day or two to get used to everything. She has new smells and sounds to observe and familarize herself with. Just keep doing what your doing and soon she will come out of her shell. Some guinea pigs are slower at it then others. Soon enough she will be popcorning and running about. I remember my piggie when I first brought her home it only took her about 2 days. Then when I would talk to her or give her veggies she would popcorn. Now that she is older she has really been slowing down. She'll still popcorn every now and again but not like she used to.