Guinea Garden Sanctuary

12/01/2025

Can guinea pigs bond with humans?

I’ve had pigs at the sanctuary that ran to the edge of the cage for attention every time I walked in. Guinea pigs can absolutely bond with humans through regular interaction and gentle handling.

How do your guinea pigs show they trust you?

12/01/2025

Chewing isn’t just a habit—it’s essential for your pet’s physical and mental wellbeing. 🐹🐰 Chews like ash tree sticks play a key role in enrichment:

Prevents Boredom: Small animals need stimulation, and chewing is a fun and satisfying activity.

Relieves Stress: Chewing can reduce anxiety, especially in rescue animals adjusting to a new environment.

Supports Bonding: Providing a variety of chews helps build trust and comfort between you and your pet.

At Guinea Gourmet Treats, we don’t just sell chews—we provide tools for enrichment and happiness. Every product is chosen with your pet’s health and enjoyment in mind.

🛍️ Explore our chews and forages at www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk

11/01/2025

🐾 The Mystery of Guinea Pig Chirping 🐾

Have you ever heard your guinea pig make a sound that resembles a bird’s chirp? It’s one of the rarest and most fascinating guinea pig vocalisations—and we still don’t fully understand it!

Some people believe chirping might be a leftover behaviour from the wild, possibly a warning call to others. But in captivity, where guinea pigs are safe from predators, it’s unclear what triggers it. At the sanctuary, I’ve only heard it twice, and both times the guinea pigs were hiding, which made me wonder—were they stressed, in a trance-like state, or expressing something else entirely?

What do you think? Could chirping have a connection to their wild instincts, or is it just one of those guinea pig mysteries we may never solve?

I’d love to hear your experiences with chirping. Have your guinea pigs ever made this rare sound, and if so, what were they doing? Let’s dive into this little mystery together! 💚

-Tara x

11/01/2025

How do I socialise a shy guinea pig?

Socialising a timid guinea pig requires patience, consistency, and gentle interaction. Drawing from my experiences at the sanctuary and supported by expert advice, here are effective strategies to help your guinea pig become more comfortable:

Provide Personal Space: Allow your guinea pig to acclimate to their environment without excessive handling. Avoid chasing or forcing them out of hiding spots, as this can increase stress.

Offer Hiding Places: Ensure their enclosure includes accessible hiding spots where they can retreat and feel secure. This reduces stress and helps them feel safe.

Hand-Feed Treats: Use favourite vegetables or fruits to encourage your guinea pig to approach you. Start with larger treats to minimise proximity, gradually offering smaller pieces as trust builds.

Maintain a Routine: Guinea pigs thrive on consistency. Establish regular times for feeding and interaction to help them anticipate and feel secure in daily activities.

Spend Time Nearby: Sit near their enclosure, speaking softly to acclimate them to your presence and voice. Reading aloud or engaging in quiet activities nearby can also be beneficial.

Gradual Handling: Once they seem more comfortable, gently pick up your guinea pig, supporting their body properly. Keep initial handling sessions short, gradually increasing duration as they become more accustomed.

Provide Enrichment: Introduce toys, tunnels, and safe spaces within their environment to stimulate curiosity and encourage exploration, aiding in building confidence.

Remember, each guinea pig has a unique personality and history. Some may take longer to socialise than others, especially if they have had limited positive human interaction in the past. Patience and gentle persistence are key.

At the sanctuary, one of my shyest rescues took weeks to trust me. By sitting nearby, offering treats, and talking softly, she gradually came out of her shell.

What strategies have worked for you when taming a shy guinea pig? Share your experiences—I’d love to hear your stories!

10/01/2025

🐾 An Update on the Surrendered Boars – and Mummy Too! 🐾

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know about the boars we recently took in—a father and son duo. But what you might not know is that Mummy was surrendered with them too!

Mummy has now joined the three ladies up in the shed, which means one bonded pair of ladies will soon be ready for adoption once their 3-month probation expires.

As for Mummy, she’s absolutely lovely! She’ll be bonded with the one sanctuary lady we currently have here, so she won’t be available for adoption just yet, but she’s settling in beautifully. 💚

Thank you to everyone who supports the sanctuary—it’s because of you that we’re able to help animals like these and find them the loving homes they deserve. Keep an eye out for updates and adoption news soon!

-Tara x

10/01/2025

Why is my guinea pig biting the cage bars?

Cage bar biting is something I see a lot when guinea pigs are bored or hungry. Adding toys or scatter-feeding hay usually works wonders.

What’s the quirkiest habit your guinea pig has, and how do you manage it?

09/01/2025

Why is my guinea pig hiding all the time?

At the sanctuary, shy guinea pigs would spend days hiding until they felt safe. Providing covered spaces always helped them come out on their terms.

Have you had a shy guinea pig? What helped them feel secure?

09/01/2025

🐾 Welcome Moose to the Sanctuary! 🐾

I know, I know—I said I wouldn’t be taking in more piggies. But how could I possibly say no to an old, lonely boy like Moose? 🥺 He’s been feeling so down after losing his friend, and I just couldn’t leave him like that.

So, here he is, settling into the sanctuary, and I already have big plans for him! I’m hoping to bond him with Daddy and Son to create a generational trio—how amazing would that be? 🤣

It’s always a joy to welcome new faces and give them a second chance at happiness. Thank you all for your support—it’s because of you that I can say yes to piggies like Moose and give them the care they deserve. 💚

Stay tuned for updates on Moose’s bonding journey!

-Tara x

09/01/2025

Guinea Garden Sanctuary DY5 2XX

Father and Son Duo Seeking Their Forever Home!

Meet this adorable bonded pair—a loving father and son duo who are ready to find their forever home together. Dad is a calm and affectionate boy, while his son is curious and full of energy, always looking for his next adventure. They share a strong bond and bring out the best in each other, making them the perfect pair for any guinea pig-loving home.

Both were previously kept separately with minimal handling, so while Dad is a bit easier to handle, they are both quite timid around humans. The son is especially shy, but he’s learning to trust and responds well to treats—he’ll even calm down once he’s been given one. With time, patience, and love, these two will continue to grow in confidence and make wonderful companions.

They are best suited to a home with plenty of space to explore and lots of love to give. Their adoption fee is £40 for the pair (£20 per piggy), and they come with a lifetime of support and advice to ensure their happiness and well-being.

If you think you could be the perfect match for this charming father-son duo, please get in touch to find out more about welcoming them into your family! 💚

09/01/2025

09/01/2025

🌿 After a Long Year, Peppermint Leaf is Back! 🌿

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’m thrilled to announce that peppermint leaf is finally back in stock! 🎉 After a long wait, it’s here and ready for your furry friends to enjoy.

If it gets the reception I hope for, I’ll be sure to start growing some myself for a truly handmade peppermint mix—just one more way I can keep things as fresh and personal as possible.

Head to the website and grab some now—let me know what you think! If the love is there, I’ll start working on something even more special.

www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk

Thank you for your support through this wild year! 💚

-Tara x

08/01/2025

What does it mean when guinea pigs rumble-strut?

Rumble-strutting can look dramatic, but it’s often just dominance behaviour. I’ve seen pigs do this during bonding and then settle down into lifelong friendships.

Have you seen this in your guinea pigs? How long did it take them to calm down?

08/01/2025

🐾 Meet Daddy! 🐾

For those following, you’ll have seen this handsome fella arrived with us recently. This is Daddy, and what a lovely boy he is!

Daddy is somewhat handled—he’s not too skittish, but he can be a little nervous and jumpy. That said, once he’s in your soothing arms, he relaxes and shows just how much of a beautiful soul he truly is. 💚

Sadly, he’s pretty much been kept solo until now. But here’s the good news—I’m currently bonding him with his son, and it’s going really well! Once I’m confident in their bond, I’ll be looking to rehome them together.

If you’re interested in giving these two a loving home, their adoption fee will be £40 for the pair (£20 per piggy). Please contact me if you think you’d be the perfect match for this sweet duo!

Thank you for helping me give these boys a second chance. 💕

-Tara x

07/01/2025

❤️ Your Orders Keep Us Going ❤️

We’re so grateful to be part of Guinea Gourmet Treats’ Treats for Tails initiative! When you place an order and use the code GUINEAGARDEN, you’ll get 50% off—and every order helps us keep the Guinea Garden Sanctuary running.

🐾 Treat your pets to the best forages and treats while supporting rescue animals in need.

🛒 Shop now: www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk

Thank you for your continued love and support. Together, we make a difference!

07/01/2025

Why do guinea pigs popcorn?

Popcorning always makes me smile. At the sanctuary, we’d see it most during veggie time or after a fresh bedding change. It’s such a pure expression of joy.

When do your guinea pigs popcorn the most? Is it for food, play, or something else?

07/01/2025

Help Us Keep the Sanctuary Going 💚🐾

We’ve made it even easier for you to support the animals at Guinea Garden Sanctuary! You can now donate directly through our website.

Your support helps us provide food, bedding, medical care, and so much more for the animals who need us most. Every donation makes a huge difference, no matter how big or small.

🌐 Visit our donation page here: https://www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk/guinea-garden-sanctuary

Together, we can give these animals the happy, healthy lives they deserve.

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At Guinea Garden Sanctuary, we’re dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing lifelong care for guinea pigs, rabbits, and other small animals. Many of our residents come to us with medical, behavioural, or special needs, and our mission is to give them a safe, loving environment where the...

06/01/2025

💌 A Special Birthday Surprise from Sparkles’ Owners 💌

I just had to share this beautiful card I received from Sparkles’ owners for my birthday. In it, they wrote the most heartfelt thank you for helping save his life. 🥹

Moments like this remind me why I do what I do. Sparkles’ journey was tough, but seeing him recover and knowing how much it meant to his family makes all the hard work so worth it. 💚

Thank you to Sparkles’ amazing owners for this lovely gesture—it’s made my birthday even more special. And thank you to everyone who supports the sanctuary—whether it’s through donations, kind words, or just cheering us on. Together, we make a difference!

-Tara x

06/01/2025

A Gentle Reminder About What We Do 💚🐾

Recently, we were approached to help with neutering costs for an animal. While we would love to assist every animal in need, we must stay true to our mission: we are an emergency-only sanctuary.

Our priority is the animals already in our care, many of whom rely on us to provide food, shelter, medical treatment, and love. Finances are incredibly tight, and we fundraise every penny to meet their needs. Helping with non-emergency requests like neutering costs simply isn’t realistic for us, as much as we’d like to.

We also want to be fair to the kind supporters who donate to help us care for our sanctuary animals. It wouldn’t feel right to ask for donations to cover costs for animals outside of our care, no matter how well-meaning the request.

We encourage everyone to plan for these costs when adopting or caring for animals, as it’s an important part of responsible ownership. Your understanding and support mean the world to us as we continue to provide for the animals who need us most.

🌐 Support our work or shop our forages here: https://www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk

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Welcome to Guinea Gourmet Treats – Where Every Nibble is a Delight! Explore our delicious handmade treats and forages. Special offers available at Guinea Gourmet Treats. 🐹🌿🥕