New Piggy

[karann15]

I recently got a new piggy, unfortunally I am not quite sure how old he is(someone dropped him off at a pet store, and I adopted him). He does not seem as large as the rest of the pigs i have seen, but he is about a foot long when he really stretches out, but still seems rather skinny...I was wondering if there is any way you can tell by how big they are?
Also, when you rub his back end, he makes a really loud squeak and he does kind of a jump, im not sure if there is something wrong or he just doesnt like it?
He is not neutered, and Im not sure how old he is, but would it be okay if I got him another piggy to play with while im at work? I have been reading the other posts and it does say to get them neutered if someone else comes into the cage, but does anything else matter besides that? Do they usually enjoy company, if they have been alone for a while(since i adopted him, about 4 months ago he has not had to share his cage with anybody)?
Thanks for all the help!! : )
Cara & Zaq

 

[*Piglets-Angel*]

Yes they NEED a friend, the SAME gender of course if you get same gender you will not have to neuter them, if hes like older then 6 months you should get a baby one for his/her friend, how big is your cage? Do you have pellets and timothy hay and veggies for him?

 

[VoodooJoint]

The squeek, jump thing when you rub his back end is normal. Most pigs don't seem to like having their bottoms or backs scratched. It's his was of telling you to knock it off.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

He may have mites. You can look at www.petfinder.com and local animal shelters for a friend. Double check his sex though.

You can get a kitchen scale and weigh him. See www.guinealynx.info for more care info too.

 

[Louis]

How long are his wiskers i think that has something to do with how old they are

 

[Ly&Pigs]

My first thought is mites too. Mites can cause pain and pigs will jump and squeal if you touch them when they are in pain. I would see about getting him treated. Even if he doesn't have them, it won't hurt to be treated.

 

[karann15]

Thank you all for getting back to me, unfortunally, my internet has been having some huge problems! I made him an appt. with the vet to get his nails trimmed and just an overall check up, hopefully he can give me some insight on how old Zaq is. His wiskers arent very long at all, maybe a half an inch. I dont think that he has mites(well, i hope he doesnt) but ill ask the vet about that also. Thanks again! : )

 

[Ketus15]

Is it a small animal/exotics vet? Guinea pigs are special.

Good luck at the vet. Maybe you can ask him to show you how to trim his nails yourself. It can be intimidating, but not too hard once you get it.