Jack + KP teething probs

[kp]

hi

Jack is only 8 weeks + is my first piggie. When I got him last sunday I picked up one of those everything you need to know + a-z health prob guides (scary)

I've followed its advice on food e.g. pellets, veggie hay etc but it doesn't say how much to give and when splitting dry/green food up
I'm really not sure if he's eating right balance, I know he is eating but never see what unless its a carrot or other veggie as for last few nights I've used them as a way for him to get use to me/being handled (I've sat watching him for 2 hrs straight once but he refuses to come out from his house unless A no one's around, B he doesn't think I'm here lol
Are they meant to eat whole veggies like carrots?
Also water is there normally a set amount they need? and can someone clarify that they need fresh water every day (so can tell my dad cos he's insist on it not been right as he helps me with feeding at mo)

Do pigs have to have outside time? Asking this cos I am disabled/in a wheelchair and a little worried about him been outside etc if I ever had an accident/or he escaped from me and I couldn't catch him

Where as if inside floor time works I'm donating half my room to a 'piggie safe zone' (dog has run of downstairs) and likely half landing to

I've also discovered I can't pick him up wheather its the disability bad co-ordination thing or me been to aware of it lol I won't pick him up in case I drop him and my dad has just got me to hold him but I won't move for same reason (I really hoped it wouldn't kick in)

Piggie noises which are good/bad mostly at mo he's mostly silent from what I remember of health check for pigs having read about it on net, he seems healthy shiney coat/no bits/scatches/missing fur his eyes look fine, feet (tiny little things) seem ok I'm assuming its cos he's getting use to everything I've got 2 coos out of him (its odd, not use to it yet) and pretty sure he grunted at me earlier a little while after putting him in cage for night, currently he's in his house (there's hay inside) and there's this sniffing/grunt/scrating noise I have no idea what he's doing he stops whenever I go near.
Starting full piggie health check this weekend
Also getting him vet registered
If all else fails my best mate if I remember once had a piggie (known him 9 months) along with a snake, 15+ cats + 3 dogs but his dad is a qualified vet +owns his own surgeroy

[kat0521]

Hi and welcome! Congrats on your new piggie.
To answer some of your questions- YES Jack needs fresh water everyday. Especially on hot summer days like the ones we've been having. He should be getting about a cup of fresh veggies daily. Good daily veggies include: Lettuce (romaine, red leaf, green leaf, butter-but NOT iceberg), bell peppers (red, green, yellow or orange), cilantro, parsley (in moderation-it's high in calcium), collard greens, mustard greens, radish greens, dandelion greens (also in moderation-high in calcium), ...those are some of the few. Veggies to avoid entirely are onions, potatoes, and garlic to name a few. These veggies are considered toxic.
The pellets you are giving should be just that-pellets. Should have no extra added things. No colored crunchy bits, no corn, no seeds of any kind. These are fatty, not necessary to their diet and a high risk item as they are a choking hazard. I had a piggie who died from asfixiation (sp?) which is a fancy term for choking. I used to feed my girls a seeded mix. Needless to say, I quickly changed the diet.
Hay should be given in an unlimited amounts. For your guy, give him alfalfa hay until he is 6 months old, then feed him timothy occaisionally with alfalfa. This is recommended because your piggie is still in the growing stage and alfalfa not only has calcium, but other nutrients that he needs. It's also important to help grind down his constantly growing teeth.
I wouldn't recommend outside time. Due to your being in a wheelchair (please don't take offense-it wasn't intended), and due to the fact that he could get away from you and there are predators. Not many people realize that common birds like crows will hunt and attack piggies left in a backyard-with or withour supervision.
Don't be too nervous about holding him. This will get him used to you and socialize him. FYI, he's going to run away from you while you or your dad are trying to pick him up. This is a prey response and is normal. Once you're holding him, he should settle down. Make sure you're supporting his hind legs and butt and hold him close to you. This will help him feel more secure.
Don't worry if he's being quiet or shy. He's still new to his surroundings and it'll take him some time to get used to your smell and your sounds, as you go about your daily routine. Does he have a hidey house or tunnels to hide in? If not, try draping a towel over part of the cage so he can have a hidey spot.
Try to take him to a good small exotics vet. It never hurts to get him checked over so he can have a good bill of health.
Sorry for the long post. Post if you have more questions and I hope I helped you some.
~Kat~

[skipperdoo]

One thought is to have your Dad pick him up for you and place him in a basket that has been lined with a towel. I use plastic baskets that I have bought at office supply stores (Staples) and also at Organize It Store (or whatever it is called). I learned this from a family who had some very tame pigs. The kids were schooled at home and the kids each had a pig and they would carry them with them and put them in a basket when they studied and were in "school". The picture below shows part of one of my baskets (the pigs just had a bath). Another thought is to remove the hiding house during the day so he gets used to the environment. You can drape a towel over the top and side and he will think he's safe but yet he will be able to see what is going on around him. I would totally skip taking him outside; he's fine inside with you. Welcome, and have fun with your guinea pig.

[kat0521]

Awww...what a cute pigture Skip!

[kitty]

Good advice! I would only reiterate that even the tamest pigs still run like you're trying ti kill 'em bcause of them being prey animals. I think people get upset that they do that but it perfectly normal behavior. I love your idea Skipperdoo about holding the pigs in a basket or box. Also, cute wet pets!

[Josie]

Kp~ You could get a run with no bottom and a lid and put him in that for the day. If his igloo or something is bottom less then he still has the option of eating the grass whiltst he is feeling secure. You dont need to be there with him as most runs are safe and secure. He may be better if he a cavy friend to frolic with as they are herd animals and do not usually do well on their own.

Welcome to Wheekers. =~)

[priscillaparsley]

Hi. I have a suggestion for holding her--depending on the type of cage you have. I bought a rabbit cage--it has top entry and a side door, and lots of space for Priscilla to do her thing. Instead of having it on the floor, I keep it on a ledge. If I open up the side door, which drops down like a ramp, she can crawl out. I put something (like a shoe box) unde the ramp so her little feet don't fall through, and then I coax her out with a treat--blueberries are a new favorite. I have to supervise, or she could fall off the side onto the table--not far---but generally she climbs down the ramp and into my lap or hands or wherever the food is.
If you put your cgae on a table, it should be wheelchair accesible for this. Youcould set barriers up around the edge of the table so she can't fall down.
Good luck!