Cage Clean w/ Scared Guinea Pigs?

[oofitsnaomi]

Hi I have to do a cage clean today. I have had my piggies for a week now and they are lovely but still very scared (they're still settling in.) I don't know how I am going to get them out of their cage to clean it. My mom suggested that we block of some of their cage and lure them to go into their travel cage. Do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[PigglePuggle]

Can you lure them into a hidey tube or house and pick that up? Otherwise blocking off part of the cage sounds like a good plan. Mine are quite well trained now and go sit in a hidey tube ready when they know something is going to happen. I usually take the water bottle off the cage first and the food dish out to give them a hint that the food and water are going to be somewhere else now
In any event try to avoid a prolonged chase scene, that will stress them out. Herding them places by using a big piece of cardboard to cut off escape and gently prod their bum until they go into the container you want them to often works too.
However having said that sometimes none of the above work and you will have a galloping wheeking maniac to contend with, but that's not normally nervous piggies (its usually just our Piggle, she's fearless and deliberately awkward and a bit special )

 

[Wiebke]

Hi I have to do a cage clean today. I have had my piggies for a week now and they are lovely but still very scared (they're still settling in.) I don't know how I am going to get them out of their cage to clean it. My mom suggested that we block of some of their cage and lure them to go into their travel cage. Do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks!

Hi! Here our pick-up tips, but chivvying them into their carrier (which you may want to rub down inside with some of their stuff so it smells 'right' and 'safe') can work, too. Have some of their favourite veg or herbs at the far end, as well as bit of fresh hay.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
this guide deals with guinea pig prey animal instincts: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

 

[oofitsnaomi]

Can you lure them into a hidey tube or house and pick that up? Otherwise blocking off part of the cage sounds like a good plan. Mine are quite well trained now and go sit in a hidey tube ready when they know something is going to happen. I usually take the water bottle off the cage first and the food dish out to give them a hint that the food and water are going to be somewhere else now
In any event try to avoid a prolonged chase scene, that will stress them out. Herding them places by using a big piece of cardboard to cut off escape and gently prod their bum until they go into the container you want them to often works too.
However having said that sometimes none of the above work and you will have a galloping wheeking maniac to contend with, but that's not normally nervous piggies (its usually just our Piggle, she's fearless and deliberately awkward and a bit special )

Thank you for the advice!