my guniea pig Elsie is very shy and stays in her igloo all the time. I want to get another one so she won't be lonely. she eats and sleeps fine but any help?
2007-02-28 13:38:01 · 5 answers · asked by JuJu 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
well normally if u bought her from a pet store and she had other guniea pigs in there with her she was close to them but now she was taken to a place that is lonel. well if u get another one then ill think she will overcome the lazyness and shyness. it would be like throwing you in a jungle and leaving u nude. how would you like it. you would be scared. thats pretty much how she feels. if you have any farther questions please feel free to e-mail me at codysmelser@yahoo.com
2007-02-28 13:46:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Emma, I have raised Guinea pigs and sold them to a local pet store. Of the many Ive kept and loved I have to say their not a real socialable animal. They prefer to stay cuddled up in a nice dry warm home. I used to get some I kept as pets out every evening and hold them on my lap. They never seemed content to me and would always use the bathroom all over me. As far as keeping more than one together, it wont work. They will fight sometimes injure one another. The only time we had more than one in a cage was for breeding, and then you always took the the male to the females cage then he had to be removed. You often see several together in the pet shops and they seem fine. However they are young and have not matured nor established their own territory yet. They do tend to sleep during the day and stir around at night. I hope this info helps you out.
2007-02-28 21:56:38 · answer #2 · answered by Nighthawk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you got her recently, she may just be scared of her new surroundings. Give her some time and she'll start coming out some more. Also make sure to spend time with her everyday so she will get used to your presence. Try feeding her some baby carrots or other fresh treat by hand.
Guinea pigs are social animals and do very well with others of their own kind. It would be a good idea to get her a female companion. Just make sure they have a large enough cage together. http://www.guineapigcages.com is an excellent source for guinea pig cage information.
If you're ever concerned about her health, I recommend this website for comprehensive information: http://www.guinealynx.com
2007-03-01 00:28:16 · answer #3 · answered by Citrine Dream 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting your pig a companion could be good for her if she is accepting to others but she could try and bully them if she is territorial with her surroundings. I have a female also and she hid awhile when we first got her but she is use to us now. She will even squeal when you call her name. She does still run in the house when you come close to her cage at first but she for the most part will lay outside. I did read that they do prefer closed surrounding though. I am not sure how long you have had her but getting her a companion may benefit her.
2007-02-28 21:49:29 · answer #4 · answered by Maybe I am a smartass..so what 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should definately get another one, another female. Guinea pigs are much bolder when they are together, also they are sociable animals, and are much happier when kept in pairs.
2007-03-01 04:01:23 · answer #5 · answered by Katie C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋