Bonding with me

[willow&clover19]

Hello! I am now a month and a half into owning two guinea pigs and I’m finding it rlly difficult to get them to trust me they both developed mange ad ecto parasites a few weeks after I adopted them. The vet said this was because they were stressed, it’s mostly all cleared up and almost all their fallen hair has grown back! My issue is the illnesses had really set us back in terms of bonding the most interaction they will have with me is one of the climbing onto my knee for treats (the cage is a 2x4 so I can sit in it) the other will just come over to my hand then run away. Any tips? Any time I move my hand they run away

 

[Deleted member 139433]

Hello,

The fact that one sits on your knee and the other comes over for food is an excellent sign of trust!

Some of my pigs come over, some don’t. And none like being handled. They are prey animals and all of this is natural behaviour.

I would say you’ve already made excellent progress with your pigs. Not too sure what you’re expecting with regards to them bonding with you?

 

[Piggies&buns]

This is a good sign they trust you and possibly the most that will ever happen.
Both of mine will take food from my hand and that is it. Neither like being touched and they certainly don’t like being picked up, but taking food from you, and being happy to be around you is a brilliant thing and shows they do trust you

 

[Bill & Ted]

I think you are doing really well actually. It’s just a matter of them trusting you and they are starting to do that. if one climbs onto your lap then that’s great, remember that they are prey animals so are always on the lookout in open spaces. Loud noises, fast moments will always send the most tamest piggies running so always move slowly but do talk calmly to them as most predators are silent. Little hand fed treats are certainly the way forward, you are doing very well
If you have a soft blanket or tunnel you can place on your lap then that might help make them feel less exposed