Question From My Mom

[lindsey's boys]

Here is a question from my mom: she wants to know if chewing on the bars of the cage can hurt the guineas.She thinks that is why Chip is sick. There is no plastic on the bottom one of the grids; Chip chewed it all off.

 

[Treen]

Have a look at the right hand column on this page for advice on stopping them biting the cage https://www.cavyspirit.com/biting.htm. It's certainly not something you want them doing whether or not there's any plastic they can chew off.

I don't know what's wrong with your guinea pig so can't comment on whether it could possibly be related - I assume he's seen a vet if he's ill, so he/ she would be the best person to advise on the nature of his illness.

 

[lindsey's boys]

Thanks Treen I think he's trying to get to Rodney who is on the other side. I've told my mom this but she didn't believe me.

 

[Piglet]

It probably is because of that.

 

[lindsey's boys]

Yeah, I think so. I thought he was lonely, so I took him and Rodney out, but they just rumblestruted.

 

[Treen]

Do they usually live together, but are currently separated because of Chip's illness?

 

[lindsey's boys]

Well, one day I went to feed them (when they were in the same cage), and I noticed Chip's nose was bitten. I thought nothing of it and just kissed his nose. The next day Rodney had a bitten nose, so we seperated them. when I take them both out to free range, Rodney isn't very agressive, but Chip is. Chip always starts the "fights." I think I will just try to take them out everyday, so I can watch them carefully. Hopefully, they will eventually get along.

 

[Piglet]

Hmm... Perhaps you can give them a 'buddy bath'? That usually creates a bond between them

 

[lindsey's boys]

Hey, maybe I'll do that while my mom is at work. hehehe

 

[smileyface cavy]

But maybe don't bathe them in winter. Thay could get chilled after the bath. But then again, if they get cold you could just turn the blow dryer on them, as long as it's on low.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

It's fine to bathe them whenever, most people don't keep their house cold enough for them to get chills, I gave my boy a bath a few days ago and they are fine.

 

[lindsey's boys]

Thanks Dagwell