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Post by cookie72 on Jul 18, 2014 3:33:40 GMT
I had 2 female guinea pigs, both 6 yrs old, together their whole lives. 3 weeks ago, one of them (Potroast) suddenly died. Her mate (Bedhead) seemed ok for a couple days, then she stopped eating and I was worried she was depressed. I gave her tons of extra attention and fed her extra of her favorite treats and the next day she was back to normal. I've always read that piggies do better in pairs and I felt bad for her, so a few days ago I adopted a 2 1/2 yr old female from local humane society. I put new piggie in a separate cage next to Bedhead's. On the second day, I introduced them to each other in a playpen. I gave them salad and hay, and they shared it, however they didn't really seem to like each other. Some teeth chattering and butt sniffing, No fights though. Back in their separate cages after an hour. Next night, same routine. This time they almost fought. Shared the snacks, but lots of teeth chattering afterwards, and at one point they both went up on back legs and butted faces like they wanted to bite each other, then both turned and separated. No bloodshed thankfully. I closely monitored everything the whole time and then put them in their separate cages after an hour. Now today, Bedhead isn't hardly eating at all again. I'm worried this whole thing has stressed her out, or that I'm going about it the wrong way. The new piggie (Guinness) seems to be adjusting and is eating just fine. The lady at the humane society told me to introduce them gradually like this. I have them in separate cages, next to each other but one is a little higher than the other, yet they can still see each other if they want to. Can someone with alot of experience on the proper way to introduce piggies please advise me...I'm starting to think getting a new piggie was a big mistake and the last thing I want to do is stress out poor Bedhead any further.
Thanks!
Kristin
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Post by Bean on Jul 18, 2014 7:23:20 GMT
I'm really sorry about Potroast. You did a kind thing getting Bedhead a friend and it's a shame it's not gone very smoothly so far. But it sounds like you are doing everything right, and also that the way they're behaving is quite normal and definitely doesn't indicate that it won't work. Having the cages side by side in between sessions and doing the intros in a neutral area are both the right things to do. And you seem pretty familiar with what's okay and the signs which mean it's best to bring that session to a close and wait for another day. Having some tasty veg about is great as then they associate each other with getting treats. Some people find putting a tiny dab of something with a strong smell like vicks or lavender oil just above their nostrils can help as they don't react so strongly to the scent of the other. You may have read this page on introductions, but I'll post it incase you haven't as there's lots of useful info on there. Hope Bedhead is eating normally again soon. Might be worth weighing her regularly so you can check she is still eating enough. Loss affects pigs differently - some pigs barely seem to notice and other do have a mourning period. Remember that even being near another pig and being able to hear and see them can provide an enormous amount of companionship for a guinea pig, so if you are feeling stressed out, there's no rush to get them living together. They take their lead from us more than you'd think so if you're tense, things are more likely to get fraught than if you're relaxed. Good luck and keep us posted. |
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Post by cookie72 on Jul 18, 2014 15:42:19 GMT
Thanks Bean. Well Bedhead seems more her normal self this morning. She came running out of her hut squeaking when she saw me approaching with green peppers for her! That puts me at ease for now, and I think I'm going to give it a rest for a few days. Maybe I rushed the introductions and they just need more time in separate cages, where they can see/hear each other. I also am going to try and find a bigger cage in the meantime. Thanks for responding!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 18, 2014 18:46:16 GMT
I am glad she seems much better hun, these things can take a very long time unfortunately.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 18, 2014 19:56:16 GMT
If you didn't clean all the scent outcof the old cage, basic washing yhe cage and everything in it, then Bedhead could smell Potroast in the cage. She might have considered the new pig to be an interloper, trying to take Potroasts place. If they have any setbacks, redo the intros in a neutral place and totally clean the cage and everything in it. Then try putting the girls in the cage. Once you do that, leave them to sort out their differences unless blood is drawn. I hooe they've settled in together  |
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Post by cookie72 on Jul 19, 2014 3:34:46 GMT
3piggles, when I did the introductions it was in a new wire playpen that neither had been in before. I never got brave enough to put new piggie into Bedhead's cage based on the signs I saw, it didn't look like it would be a good idea. I decided to give the whole process a rest for a few days while I read others' advice. I will definitely thorougly clean the cage before putting new piggie in there...I hadn't thought of that before but it makes sense. How would I get old scent out of a wood hidey hut? Vinegar? Or just buy a new one? Bedhead and Potroast always took turns in the hut but since Potroast died, Bedhead is constantly in there so it would definitely be something to fight over.
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 19, 2014 15:17:59 GMT
Scrubbing the wooden hidie with a vinegar and giving it a thorough rinse should work. Might be best to keep the hidies out of the cage at first, and use hand towels draped over the cage sided. They can sleep in the lean to the towels create, or play through them. No chance to trap a piggy in a house. When you put the in the cage have hay in the middle, water and pellets on each end, and drape the towels wherever they fit. Two of everything prevents fights, and putting food ay each end gets the pigs moving around the cage. Exercise and distractions help keep them from getting on each others nerves.
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 19, 2014 16:12:57 GMT
I am so sorry for your loss of Potroast. When I introduced my boys, I gave them each a bath in lavender scented Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo that I got at CVS before putting them in a neutral playpen. It helps mask their own scents to help calm them down during introductions. I also really liked the idea of having yummy veggies nearby. For my boys I found carrots is their all time favorite. So it is my go to when I am trying something new out on them. Introducing new piggies can be very stressful for the parent. I know that my heart has ached on and off as I watched them figure each other out and with one establishing himself as alpha with the other acquiescing. This forum was/is of great support to help me deal with the ups and downs. I hope the same for you and that your two girls become friends. |
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 28, 2014 4:24:14 GMT
Cookie72, How are Bedhead and Guinness doing? Getting along yet? Bedhead still eating? Hope all is well.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 28, 2014 16:38:52 GMT
Has anyone tried their piggies with celery? Mine love it.
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 28, 2014 16:51:18 GMT
Jo, When I first got Harry, he wasn't interested in celery at all. Now he and Weasley wheek for it. They will even try to steel the other's portion. |
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 31, 2014 17:40:22 GMT
Ha ha love, what the other chap has is always more appealing LOL!!
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 31, 2014 23:30:35 GMT
You know it! Harry is the most guilty of it, but Weasley does it some too.
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 1, 2014 20:30:53 GMT
Every night I give each of the kids a leaf of endive as a night night treat. Morty always takes the first one. Mia steals it and Morty has to get the next one |
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 2, 2014 17:12:03 GMT
That sounds about right 3Piggles love. Lacey is a little thief. She will drop her treat/food, try and pinch Darcy's and then go back to her own, at least she would if we allowed her too LOL!!
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 11, 2014 1:20:38 GMT
That sounds about right 3Piggles love. Lacey is a little thief. She will drop her treat/food, try and pinch Darcy's and then go back to her own, at least she would if we allowed her too LOL!! Hugs JO xx That's hilarious. Lacey sounds like my Harry...the greedy little foodies |
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 11, 2014 16:50:40 GMT
Thanks Silamb love, it is funny to watch and eventually Darcy will stand up for himself and put her in her place LOL!!
Hugs
JO xx
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 13, 2014 5:33:46 GMT
Cookie72, hope all is well and that no news is good news ☺
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 13, 2014 5:36:29 GMT
Thanks Silamb love, it is funny to watch and eventually Darcy will stand up for himself and put her in her place LOL!!
Hugs
JO xx<br/>
Jo, when I first got Harry he wasn't interested at all in celery. Now I feed it to both him and Weasley and they love it.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 14, 2014 17:14:49 GMT
I eat celery sometimes when I fancy smething crunchy but it just isn't the same as a bag of crisps (chips) LOL!
Hugs
JO xx
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