I just got a guinea pig...now what?

Question

I just got a guinea pig today...she's black and white so I named her Oreo...anyways since I put her in her cage she sits in one corner and doesn't move...I put lettuce and water out and she still hasn't touched it...How do I make her feel more comfortable in her new home? (I'm getting another pig soon...I just wanted to get used to having one first)

Answer 1

uh.. I had one. She did that all the time. I think it's their personality. Let her spend the rest of the night in the cage so she gets used to the smell and stuff. She might brighten up. I had a gerbil that did that too, she was just getting comfy when she died.

Ohh. And by the way, DO NOT feed your guinea pig broccoli. They will bloat and die.

:D

Answer 2

Well, it might just be shock. My guinea pigs did the same thing when I first got them but I got two so they were less frightened.

Leave the room and turn all the loud noises and the light off. Let it be for the rest of the...erm...well until you go to bed. Then try not to disturb it much tomorrow because it just needs to get used to things.

Guinea pigs are naturally shy and they might not get used to you very fast but when it eats then hold it a little and just let it sit on your belly and sniff you.

Try feeding it hay because that is what coxed my guinea pigs out because they can't live (literally) with out hay and my piggies love it so much.

Hope this helps but be careful when you get the new piggie and introduce it slowly.

:D

Also don't give it a hiding place just yet because it will then forever hide and forever be shy, it could take a year for it to adjust but be patient.

Answer 3

I've owned two guinea pigs and both of them did this when i first brought them home. She's just scared since she's in a totally different place. after a day or so pick her up and pet her to she gets used to her

i also found female guniea pigs to be WAY more skittish than males.

Answer 4

She may not have had veggies before.

She's alone and in a new place so she needs to adjust but read http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.h...

And make sure she is pooping and isn't sick.  

Answer 5

i love guinea pigs maybe you can try getting her a small wooden house mine love that they feel comfortable in there and they enjoy nibbling on the sides . if she isn't eating maybe try giving her some foods such as lettuce and carrots. good luck!

Answer 6

My guinea pig is the same. She just wants to be in her cage all the time. When I take her out she becomes angry with me and refuses to let me play around with her. She doesn't like to drink her water and prefers to eat tomatoes and lettuce all the time. I am slowly introducing her to new veggies and she is coming around. I fed her some sweetcorn earlier and she was delighted to be nibbling at it in her cage. Just try to give your piggy time and let her adjust to her new surroundings. Good luck with her.

Answer 7

i had the same problem with my 2 guinea pigs try buying a piggloo (its a piggy iggloo)she'll go in there and will stay in there for a couple days. then she'll venture her out and you'll be able to spend time with her without her running away from you. but just give it some time. like a week or two!

Answer 8

It's probably still adjusting to its new home. I think that she is one of those animals that fear to eat in front of a giant like a human! Hopefully, with time, your guinea pig's confidence will rise (especially when the other guinea pig comes) and you will be able to play with it as you bond.

Hope this helps and good luck with Oreo!

Answer 9

maybe its shy. give it some time, if things turn out the way theyre not suppose to, like hes acting wierd, take him to the vet. make him feel more comfortable, try not to b so loud around it.  ^-^

best of luck!!

Answer 10

You just got her today. She's scared, probably.

Make sure her cage is in a quiet room, and just leave her alone until tomorrow. Let her adjust to her new cage, and all the scents/sounds of her new surroundings.

Provide food, water (don't feed too much lettuce, no nutritional value), and someplace for her to hide "Igloo", wooden hut, etc.

Answer 11

our hamster was like that when we first got her too, so we just left her alone for about 2 days, making sure she had enough to eat and drink.  After that we started talking to her and then she gradually got used to us.  It just takes time.  It was over a week before she'd let us pick her up.  I imagine guineas must be similar, although I did hear they are shyer than hamsters so it might take longer.