Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 29, 2012 15:09:52 GMT
I have found a couple of ads in the local paper/website about guinea pigs that need a new home. One is an "only" pig and the other ones come from a group of 6 pigs (two boars). Is there an advantage to picking one of them, when I try to find a good buddy match for Melvin? Are they easier to match when they are used to being together with other pigs a or when they are used to being alone? I can only take one of the guiney pigs!
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 27, 2012 22:30:20 GMT
Thank you so much. That was a really good explanation. Is that also the best way to introduce them if I bring home a baby pig?
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 26, 2012 20:14:04 GMT
That sounds interesting. I have something similar without the cover, so now I just have to look for a potential friend. I have read a bit about introducing pigs before, so I guess in those approx. 20 minutes there might be a bit of aggression, but nothing too severe. If that's the case and it looks like they show an interest in each other, maybe they can become best friends? It's hard for a guinea pig owner like me, who is new to these pets. You learn something new all the time and you just want what's best for the little guys, but you don't always know if you're doing the right thing. This forum is really great and I wish I had known about it even before bringing Melvin home. There's just a lot to learn :-)
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 26, 2012 14:16:31 GMT
I will definitely not give up on him. Maybe he knows that I wrote about him here, because he seems to be a little better now. I usually use a towel to pick him up and give him treats, but yesterday it worked without towel and without biting, so there's hope. He is just not that snuggly right now and wants down right away, but he likes to sit next to me or lean on my arm and as long as he is happy and not biting, I am happy :-)
I am considering getting him a friend as well, but I think I need to wait until he has matured a bit. I have another thread on that issue.
Thanks for the help.
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 26, 2012 14:01:33 GMT
Thank you yodelpig. I don't know where I would find a pig for Melvin to "date", although it sounds like a great idea, so I think I might have to wait a few months and then look for a baby "brother" for him.
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 25, 2012 23:30:20 GMT
Thanks for answering my questions. I guess if I want a baby piggie, I will be better off waiting until Melvin is older and out of puberty. My other choice is an older pig, which might be easier to find if I want to rescue a gp and not buy one from a pet store. I am watching the local animal shelters to see what they have.
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 25, 2012 14:15:49 GMT
That makes sense. I never thought of that :-)
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 24, 2012 21:27:28 GMT
I am thinking of getting a friend for Melvin. He is 7-8 months now and I am wondering what kind of guinea pig would be the best choice. Should I find a younger one (how young?) or an older one (how old)? I would like the transition from one to two to be a easy as possible, so I would like to know if it helps if the new one is really young or quite a bit older than the guinea pig I already have.
I am also planning on building a bigger cage, but how big should it be for two pigs? I have lots of grids for a C&C cage, but I just don't have unlimited room in my house.
One more question. Is the coroplast used for safety? I understand that you need something for them to walk on, but what about the "walls"?
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 21, 2012 23:38:20 GMT
Yesterday was a pretty good (almost bite free) day. I am trying to use a towel when I pick him up now + I give him a treat when I'm holding him. I will keep working on it and hopefully he will out grow the biting issues. I will take him to a vet if it continues, but hopefully it won't come to that.
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 20, 2012 14:13:56 GMT
When he was very young he would sit with me wrapped in a towel and he would fall asleep, but now he only stays for a minute or less and he jumps down (onto a pillow on the couch). I can pet him there and he will lean on my arm, but suddenly he will turn around and snap at me. He is biting the hardest when I try to pick him up, so I know I have to work on that. I'll try to be patient and hopefully he will get better and so will I.
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 20, 2012 4:49:01 GMT
I'm trying the veggie trick at the moment, so we will see how that goes. If it's because of hormones, how long long will that last?
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Whimsy
Bronze Member
Posts: 400
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Post by Whimsy on Jul 20, 2012 0:13:51 GMT
Hi, I am new to this forum and also relatively new to guinea pigs in general. I have one GP, Melvin, who is about 7 months now. I have had him since he was 6 weeks old I think. He has always nipped a bit, but it seems to be getting worse and worse. He has bit me a few times and I mean hard and drawing blood. Sometimes I can pet him lots and he is happy and purring, but suddenly he kind of snaps and bites me. It's frustrating, because I love him and I would like to spend more time petting him and snuggling with him. I have read that it could be a mite problem, but he doesn't seem itchy (more than normal) and his hair looks fine. I'm not sure what to do and it's hard to not get a little "scared" of picking him up or petting him, since it hurts a lot to get bit by a guinea pig.
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