Wild Guinea Pig? HELP!!

[stratus_020202]

Apparently, there was a gerbil found in my dogs food bin. My bf said he was soaking wet, so i'm guess he fell in the water bucket crawled out and got into the bin to escape my dog.

I haven't seen him yet, because i'm at work, but i guess he's healthy. Cranky, and a little bitey, but that's it. I'll inspect him when I get home. He's resting comfortable in a tub with some shavings, water, and food.

So, what do I do with him? Setting him free isn't an option, as i'm fairly certain it's already been "set free" ending up in my dogs food bin. Of course, feeding him isn't an option. Maybe I can wait to see if he has a good temperament and adopt him out? I don't know. What would you do? Just put him down? Seems a little extreme.

If I keep him for a little while, do I need to worry about the balls picking up his scent if he's kept in the same room as my rats? (After a quarantine period).

[stratus_020202]

Let me re-phrase: feeding him to my snakes isn't an option. Of course, he will be fed himself.

[mainbutter]

Gerbils are non-native to the US, do NOT set him free. That's the only real advice I have. Either give him a home, find him a home, or put him down.

[TheWinWizard]

Gerbils are non-native to the US, do NOT set him free. That's the only real advice I have. Either give him a home, find him a home, or put him down.

Absolutely, do not set it free.

[stratus_020202]

I'm not going to set him free. I'm not crazy. Not that kind of crazy anyway.

Maybe I'll take him to my trusted pet store. They can deal with him. We'll see how cranky he is when I get home. If he knows what's good for him, he'll be nice. But I can see how a 100 lb lab can put you into a bad mood.

[stratus_020202]

After seeing it. I'm guessing it's a baby guinea pig? It's probably the size of a medium rat. He's pretty frightened right now, and doesn't want to be messed with. But, I don't think it comes close to a gerbil or hamster. Thoughts?



It has more of an elongated face than a rodent. And the poor thing is skin and bones. HE's eating well though, and seems to be alert.

[purplemuffin]

Definitely not a gerbil, it looks like a guinea pig to me! But maybe a teddy bear hamster? I don't know hamsters, I just know gerbils.

[Swingline0.0.1]

That is defiantly a piggie. They are vegetarians and require a variety of fruits(oranges) and they like good quality lettuce, parsley, and pellets.

[Shirkan]

Thats a guinea pig haha they are pretty sweet little guys

[stratus_020202]

How old do you think he is? He's pretty small for a guinea pig. Will he need special nutrients being so young?

He really didn't like the dog food, but loved some whole grain cheerios. Looks like i'm going to have to make a store run. I'm not stocked for vegetarians.