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Leanne

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Hi All,

I am new to the forum but I think I posted this in the wrong section of the forum so apologies if it gets posted again.

Last week I got two baby guinea pigs from Pets at Home. They are called Jack and Victor. I spent time reading up on how to care for them before I brought them home but I am a bit confused on how to handle them. I’ve read that you should try to handle them from a young age but also that you should try to leave them as long as possible. I bought them little houses to hide in and they do occasionally come out for a nosey and seem to be coming on really well. They are feeding fine and have found the water bottle but they are still really scared of me when I approach the cage. I have handled them a couple of times and they seem really distressed by this so I don’t know if I am maybe handling them too early? Should I wait until they trust me more? Last night I sat them on my knee with a blanket and they seemed to settle down okay.

The other thing is that they do tend to hide anytime I go near the cage so I don’t know whether I should be getting them out at all if they are in their houses. I want them to feel their house is somewhere safe but I had to clean their cage the other day and was forced to lift the house up to get them out.

I am worried by handling them they might never trust me but I also worry if I don’t handle them, they will never want handled. I am waiting for their run to be delivered so hopefully once they are getting more floor time, they will be less scared.

Any help you could give me would be really appreciated. :)
 
Hi there, and welcome.

very early days i would say, it takes time for them to get used to you and their surroundings. My two run off when i go near and i have had them for months, one never comes near me and the other does eventually, but its just perseverence.

You could try taking their hidey home away for an hour or two a day every day so they get used to not having somewhere to run to.

And i would say short periods of handling but extend it every week.

Donty worry they will be fine x
 
Hi Leanne, welcome to the forum. It is still early days and your piggies will learn to trust you. I've had my two boys since August and they trust me but they don't come willingly to be picked up. It's a massive chase around the cage :)) Find a food they like and offer them it from your hand, let them take it from you. I'm no expert, there will be others who will give you more experienced advice. It could take weeks/months but you will see their trust grow. Don't worry.
 
Thanks for that. I feel a lot better to know that i am not the only one who has to chase them round the cage to get them out! I have read lots of nice stuff about the cuddles and the cute noises but not a lot about the squeals and distress they can be in! I just felt like a bad mum haha!
 
Mine are the same got them on Saturday from p@h. Felt like I'm doing something wrong but realise it's gonna take time!
 
Theyre naturally nervous animals, you'll be ok. One of mine just sits still to be picked up & the other likes to play about but both love cuddling. Just takes time, food will win them around eventually! They'll realise you bring food & that'll win them over ;)
 
Thanks for the reassurance. I went home at lunch time and Jack took a bit of apple from me so that put a wee smile on my face. :))
 
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