Should I be worried about my new guinea pig?
I just got a guinea pig earlier today and I have a small cardboard box in his cage with bedding in it for him to sleep in. He just stays in that small cardboard box all day long. He stays in the corner and does not move at all. He is still alive though. When I pet him, he just stands still and does not move at all. He isn’t even moving around in his cage at all, not even in his small cardboard box. He’s been in the corner all day long not moving to eat or drink at all. I even bought him a small hammock and hung it in his cage but he just stays in the corner of the small cardboard box. Should I be worried or is he just a little scared right now? I am a first time guinea pig owner. Any help would be appreciated. All he does is sit in the corner, not even blinking.
For everyone’s information… I ALWAYS research on a pet before I get it so I can always care for it properly. I hate people who just get a pet and don’t know anything about it but I’m not like that. Just wanted to let everyone know that.
No this is natural becaues when i got my guinea pigs they would run from my hand and sleep in there igloos all day long. it takes them a while to get used to you.
ohhh weird…i have once owned a guinea pig when i was in elementary and they usually dart once you pet them. maybe get him/her a friend guinea? if that is not possible/not the problem, i would suggest getting a roomier place for your pet. if you were a guinea pig, would you like to live in a cardboard box? think about it. you have to put yourself in its shoes…if you were that guinea pig i don’t think that a giant human chucking a cardboard box and putting a sling (he probably doesn’t know the hammock is used to sleep on). just a thought….i mean to a guinea pig’s perspective it wants toys and lots of it! tunnels and those windmill treadmills…think about it. its like a carnival for guinea land. good luck!
Guinea pigs are very private animals. This explains his seclusive behavior.
http://www.handlethetruth.net
Guinea pigs are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day, and are active and awake at night. Besides, he still might need a chance to get accustomed to his new surroundings. Give him some time to settle in.
Why do people buy pets without first finding out how to take care of them.??????????
He should be alright. He is adjusting to he is new envoirment. I have 2 female and they stay in their castle most of the time and the dwarf lion head male rabbit is on top or not in the castle. They are 3 years old 6 months and the rabbit 8 months. I also have different bunnies in a different cage. We breed. But just keep a eye on him.
Hoped i’ve helped!
Guinea pigs are big on "hidey" places, and you should have at least a couple in his cage available for him, but it sounds like your little guy is certainly taking his time getting used to things. Here are some things you could try:
1. Make sure there’s bedding everywhere, not just in his sleep area. They don’t like to sleep/eat where they poop/pee.
2. Is his cage on the ground? Especially when he’s getting used to people it’s scarier that way as it makes you look even BIGGER! Try putting his cage on a steady table so he’s a little higher up.
3. Are there drafts in the room you have him in? He might be cold, and huddling for warmth. Make sure he’s at least in an environment at room temperature; again, elevating his cage might put him in a wamer location.
4. Give him a biiiiiig pile of timothy hay. Usually they can’t resist it, and he might nestle around in it while he’s eating and feel protected.
5. If he stays this way for another day, call a small animal vet and take him in. He might be sick, and since they’re naturally prey animals they’re good at hiding their symptoms and appearing okay when they’re not. The stress of moving to your place may have triggered a respiratory infection or something similar – make sure he’s breathing normally.
I have a website I made for my piggies and it sort of tells the story of them arriving at my home. There might be something there that would provide some insight that I haven’t told you since I don’t really know your full situation/set up for your pig. You can check it out at:
http://www.secondstarillustrations.com/threepigs.htm
Good luck, and I hope your piggie gets a little bolder!
You have nothing to worry about, he’s just a little scared and getting used to his enviroment. I’ve had 2 guinea pigs and they were both very very shy and kept to themselves for a couple days. My guinea pig I have now, when I got her she was really tiny and still a baby. I put her in her cage for the first time and she went right to the corner and stayed there. Get him out and hold him and pet him real calmly, don’t just let him sit in there. He’ll get too lonely and it will make him even more uncomfortable. You need to let him know you’re a loving person and he can trust you. Also see if he’ll take an apple or a carrot…or alfalfa, piggies love all that!
well i have a guinea pig and she used to do the same thing it is just that guinea pigs are very shy you just wait a while and she or he will get used to you and will be very playful
i hope you like your guinea pig
Yes, the little guy is scared! You should always give a animal a full day to adjust to new surroundings! Some may even need 1 or 2 more days! Also using a hiding box is OK sometimes, I never use them, it keeps them from becoming friendly!