My guinea pig is lonely, what can I do for her?

Question

My guinea pig is 3 years old and she's been living by herself since she was 2 months old. I feel so bad for her because she has nothing to do. All she does most of the day is sit on her Pigloo. I let her out every day but she wants more attention, but my dad absolutely refuses to get another pig.

I know it's sounds awful, but is there anything I can do to make her happier? She lives in a pet store cage but as soon as my dad has free time we'll make a decently sized C+C cage (we already have all the materials).

Answer 1

Apart from getting her a friend, I dont really know what to suggest except spend more time with her.

Ask your dad why you arent allowed another guinea pig and maybe you could convince him by telling him that your piggie will be much happier with a friend and stuff.

Answer 2

Awww. In your free time spend time with her talking to her and petting her. If you don't have any other pets, you can out her cage downstairs in the living room so she is around people. Maybe you can do extra chores or something to make your dad say "yes"! Save your allowance, (you get any) and put them in the same cage...... Rabbits usually fight with the guinea pigs and then they end up losing because of the rabbit's powerful hind legs, so don't think of putting the 2 together! Lol.

Hope this helps=) Good luck!

Answer 3

dang that sucks that you cant get a other guinea pig :(

all i can think of is to play with her or get he a other pig friend :(

hope this helps

Answer 4

Your best and just about only options are to play with her more and get another piggy..Gps are highly social and live in herds, its not natural for them not too.

They usually take very well to a new piggy, SOME and its super rare are anti social..convince your dad for a new piggy , for the gps happyness .

Human affection can only go so far, another GP can give it all.

p.s. start working on that CC cage, they are perfect <333

Answer 5

a friend

Answer 6

You can do one of two things:

     1.) Either buy another guinea pig (obviously a girl)

     2.) Give it more attention

Answer 7

Go ahead and start on the new cage.

Putting the panel walls together now will save time later.

You can buy a baby dwarf rabbit for her, if you're allowed to.

But otherwise, you'll just need to tempt her with treats and hay.

They sell small toys, like bobbles, that topple around with a bell. My pigs used to love those things and would make them ring for hours.

Answer 8

if she iz lonely try spendin more time w/ her!  she might need more floor time, or just some time to be cuddled.  just letting her most likely isnt't enough.  i know its hard but guinea pigs are very social.  take some special time during the day just to hold her & play w/ her, alone time in a seperate room..just u & her!  i hope i helpd! :)

Answer 9

take her out as much as you can

Answer 10

Plead your dad for a new pig

or you can buy some more toys for her to keep her ocupied, for hiding spaces, or give her a lot of attention

Answer 11

Really, there is no substitute for the company of another guinea pig or a large cage. A solitary guinea pig in a small cage will be unhappy. Human companionship is good, but it can't replace another pig. Guinea pigs are extremely social with their own kind, and only another guinea pig can provide that kind of companionship.

Why doesn't your dad want you to get another one? Is it the cost? Fear that it will be more work or make the cage dirtier?

If you make a large C&C cage, the cleaning will become infinitely easier, especially if you switch to fleece bedding. Two guinea pigs don't cost much more to feed than one, and they won't make much more of a mess.

Show your dad this link and see if it helps change his mind:

http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm

For now, spend as much time as you can with her and make sure she gets lots of free time outside her cage. It's not ideal, but it's better than staying in her cage with no intellectual stimulation all day. Sitting on your lap and being hand fed veggies can cheer up a depressed pig for a little while ;-)

Answer 12

Well guinea pigs are normally not to enthusiastic but if you are SURE that your guinea pig is bored then here are some things you can do.....

GAMES!

There are lots of ways to entertain a guinea pig both in the cage and out of the cage, from dancing around in front of them to making them toys. Use your imagination!

A few of the following ideas was kidnapped from this site

www.cavycages.com

(toys section and art gallery)

Here is a list of things you can give your guinea pig

0) A ''friend''/Companion

1) Toilet roll tube stuffed with hay

2) tunnel of hay (C&C wire folded into a U-shape with hay woven through the wire grids)

3) Food hanging from above

4) Apple tree branches

5) maze/tunnels/cozies etc.

6) Floor time

7) Newspaper balls

8) Toys safe (and made for) for guinea pigs

9) Bird toys (G/P safe)

the list is endless - check out the above link, but be sure that any materials you use is piggy-safe

Here is a list of a few things that you can do with your guinea pig

''Intelligence test'' - this involves a willing guinea pig and a few small activities that you can try out on them:

1) Hide-and-Seek - Show your guinea pig that you have food for them (i.e. cucumber) and put it under something so your guinea pig has to knock over the light-weight cup in order to get the treat. This will show if your piggy realises that just because it can't see the food before its nose, doesn't mean that it isn't there. It also encourages your piggy to rummage for food.

2) Maze - Let your guinea pig run around a maze for a while to get to know the place. Put food in the same place each time you put your guinea pig into the maze a few times then put your guinea pig in without any food in that spot. Does your guinea pig go to the spot where the food is normally? If so praise your guinea pig with a treat - they have just shown you that they have a great memory!

d**n, even being with you will entertain your guinea pig. Sit at the computer and look through guinea pig sites, there are quite a few that play guinea pig sounds - play those to your guinea pig and search for a response. Or while watching t.v. sit and snuggle your pretty companion - find out more about your piggy!

(note: some guinea pigs appear to dislike computers)

Try some bonding techniques - get to know your piggy:

Nose nuzzling - Hold your guinea pig up to your nose and gently rub noses

Nasal gazing - sit with your pig high on your chest and gently blow in his direction, wait for a response (some pigs do not respond but others will l**k your nose, step up and peer at your or purr at you)

Also, if you join a guinea pig forum you will be able to pick up ideas from other guinea pig owners that you can use on your own, you will also be able to see any flaws in certain techniques which can alert you to any dangers involved in carrying out certain activities.

Good Luck,

LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE

HOPE THIS HELPS

-Amanda