Guinea Pig

Jenga12

My daughter has collected various pets over the years; some have passed away and I've inherited others. Her latest is a guinea pig which I said I'd have nothing to do with. She's working away from home for 3 days and the little blighter is lonely so I've brought him downstairs. She lets him roam in her bedroom; the room's very large. He's meant to be litter trained but he's poo-ing everywhere despite 2 litter trays. Any ideas on how to encourage him to use the litter tray other than put him in it when he's left me a pressie?

Aranyani

Just one guinea pig?  He'll be desperately unhappy they need companionship! 

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs/company

Trina90

Was going to say the same. Guinea pigs are very social animals and need to be around their own species. I also don't believe you can litter train a guinea pig. Rodents poop constantly, not doing one big one like us! 

Jenga12

Aranyani said:

Just one guinea pig?  He'll be desperately unhappy they need companionship! 

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs/company

If you can't be kind, be quiet. Didn't mummy teach you that?

Aranyani

Jenga12 said:

Aranyani said:

Just one guinea pig?  He'll be desperately unhappy they need companionship! 

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs/company

If you can't be kind, be quiet. Didn't mummy teach you that?

I'm sorry you felt that was unkind, but it was just factual and I assumed you weren't aware of the mistake your daughter has made.  

Silvertabby

Aranyani said:

Jenga12 said:

Aranyani said:

Just one guinea pig?  He'll be desperately unhappy they need companionship! 

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs/company

If you can't be kind, be quiet. Didn't mummy teach you that?

I'm sorry you felt that was unkind, but it was just factual and I assumed you weren't aware of the mistake your daughter has made.  

I'm with Aranyani on this - guinea pigs need other guinea pigs !

JIL

I agree guinea pigs shouldn't be kept on their own, however males are really difficult to bond and it can take a lot of time and effort with a young boar and it quite difficult to watch as the older pig shows his dominance, then the older pig dies and you have to do it all again.
That's the reason I wont be having anymore pigs. Even though they are lovely.
Peter Gurney was the Guinea pig guru. There may be something on his site with advice?

Trina90

Nothing unkind was said.
Switzerland even made it the law to adopt no fewer than 2 guinea pigs. It is common knowledge that they are herd animals and shouldn't be kept alone. It is unkind to keep one on its own.

lcc86

Unfortunately they are really hard to litter train, I don't know if it's completely impossible but I'd imagine it would be very hard. You could try putting newspaper or puppy litter training pads down to soak up any mess, that's my only advice.

He probably could benefit from a friend or two if you could find a pair of neutered females from a rescue for him? But it's difficult when you weren't even expecting to have to take him on, it sounds like you're trying to give him more attention. They do like cuddles, most chirp away quite happily (just pit a towel on your lap first to avoid any accidents!).

Trina90

As long as it is a baby boar that is introduced (or a neutered female, but it's not common to spay sows - less invasive to get the male done), they should get along fine. I've had 50+ guinea pigs and never had an issue with putting younger boars with older ones. But as someone else said, depending on the age of this guinea pig, you can keep going in circles when the older one dies and the young one is on its own again, and you face the same problem again.

Jenga12

They're not my pets but my daughter's. I have adopted her cats and a couple of other smaller pets but I know that I'll end up with the new one (+ another if she gets it a friend). I've told her she can get as many pets as she wishes, once she's in her own place.