I can't get one of my piggies to try anything new.

[wendys treasurenook]

Hi. My name is wendy and am new to this site. I own nine guinea pigs, so I am pretty knowledgeable about pigs as I have had them for at least six years now, but I bought an older guinea pig from a pet store, who was about six months old. They said they still had him due to the guinea pigs being overstocked, so he sat in the back store room for awhile until I guess the other guinea pigs were sold. He is very healthy and very active, just a joy, but he will not try alot of the vegetables or fruits that I give my other piggies, who gobble them down. He won't eat the orange drops, or yogurt drops that I give the other piggies as well. Is it because he didn't get those things when he was younger? How can I get him to try new things?

[cavyslave8]

I've noticed that the best way to get one of mine to try something is for them to see another pig eat it. I hope that made sense. If they see someone else eating it, it's worth them trying it.

Sometimes you just have to keep trying. One of mine hated green peppers and I kept trying over a month's time and she eventually tried it, now she loves them.

[Foggycreek]

Don't worry about him not eating the yogurt drops, because they are not good for him anyway. Milk products and sugar.

I agree with Cavyslave8--watching another pig may help him to decide to try new vegetables and greens. Is your pig housed with another pig?

[wendys treasurenook]

no, this piggy is the only one of my piggies who are by themselves.

[Foggycreek]

Is there a reason why? I recommend giving him a companion. Of course you'd need to make sure their cage was up to size standards--take a look at Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home .

[wendys treasurenook]

All of my other guinea pigs do have companions, but they have grown up together with their companion because we got them when they were very little. When we got Elvis, I should of got a companion then, but i already had eight guinea pigs, so I figured I would only get one more and now I am afraid that if I get another one that they won't get along. A couple of my boys were introduced to each other, and they started fighting like crazy. I had to pull them apart and that scared me to death, so now I am afraid that If I get another pig Elvis and him won't get along. Then I will be stuck with still no companion for Elvis and another cage to clean. I already clean five cages as it is. What do you think? I have studied the caging size, and none of the pet stores cages seemed big enough for two guinea pigs, so I had my husband make my cages, so they would get customized, bigger cages and my piggies love them. Thanks for all of your help. I appreciate anyone out there with their advice. Thanks so much.