Coming out of their shell

[Shanj19]

So we’ve had our boys for a week now and they do seem to be popping out more but still run into their hides when we come near their cage. How long did it take for your piggies to come out and not be so jumpy? Should they have a time of day where their hidey is taken away? They are handled and very content when being handled thank you

 

[fanniephina]

So we’ve had our boys for a week now and they do seem to be popping out more but still run into their hides when we come near their cage. How long did it take for your piggies to come out and not be so jumpy? Should they have a time of day where their hidey is taken away? They are handled and very content when being handled thank you

This always takes time. It sounds like they are doing very well with their new home and this is all very new to them. It also depends on the piggy however there's always going to be some times when they are jumpy and some more then others.

Their hideys are their safe places and will help them adjust and trust their environment. The only time I've removed a hidey is the igloo when the weather can get too hot. Otherwise let them have their security. There are many pig whispering tips and links even here on this forum. It sounds as if you are doing just fine, really. They will eventually trust you each at their own level and it does take some time. Just give them treats, approach them with some noise and gentle talking as not to startle them and enjoy getting to watch your piggies develop some unique character together.

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of guinea pigs!

 

[Shanj19]

This always takes time. It sounds like they are doing very well with their new home and this is all very new to them. It also depends on the piggy however there's always going to be some times when they are jumpy and some more then others.

Their hideys are their safe places and will help them adjust and trust their environment. The only time I've removed a hidey is the igloo when the weather can get too hot. Otherwise let them have their security. There are many pig whispering tips and links even here on this forum. It sounds as if you are doing just fine, really. They will eventually trust you each at their own level and it does take some time. Just give them treats, approach them with some noise and gentle talking as not to startle them and enjoy getting to watch your piggies develop some unique character together.

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of guinea pigs!

Thankyou so much they really are lovely pets to have it makes me feel at ease when you say they’re doing well. We are expecting some hot weather next week, do you think I should remove their igloo then?

 

[fanniephina]

I'm in the northern US so the weather is usually temperate but there are days I need to make provisions. Some members here are from warmer climates and need to watch the temps. Take a look through the link Hot Weather Management And Heat Strokes.

At a glance, however, anything over around 75 Fahrenheit (23 degrees c?) is a time to bring out some frozen water bottles wrapped with some fleece or towel for them to lay on and, if possible, some fans. Make certain to keep up with their water and if it gets too high to where you are feeling it badly, try to find a cooler place like a basement to sit with them in until it goes down. I have one igloo and many fleece forests as my piggies tended to really like them as hideys. I have tunnels and open ones as well that I leave alone but I do make certain that igloos come up any time the weather is warm. If it goes too high, even the fleece forests all come up. It leaves only open spaces for them to hide.

There are two lofts in my cage and they each have ramps. This area directly under the ramps is a favorite place my 3 girls go (one on one side and two on the other). It's the place I put their coolies that I made (little lunch box bricks covered in a piece of fleece). They had to find their use first time but now they use them almost as pillows or lay half on them and the ramps are very open so they have protection but also feel safe. There are tons of other great suggestions for heat and guinea pigs here. You can do any of them and see what your particular babies like.

Hope to have helped a bit. When you get some photos of your new little ones, would love to see them.

 

[Wiebke]

So we’ve had our boys for a week now and they do seem to be popping out more but still run into their hides when we come near their cage. How long did it take for your piggies to come out and not be so jumpy? Should they have a time of day where their hidey is taken away? They are handled and very content when being handled thank you

Hi! You are not doing badly at all!

Guinea pigs are prey animals. If you have shop or for sale breeder piggies, they have virtually not had anything in the way of friendly human interaction before they are ripped away from their group and thrust into a frightening new and potentially dangerous territory where they are expected to be instant cuddly pets to smelly, louds giants.

That process usually takes weeks and months. Trust is a plant that needs to make roots before it can grow. Take the time to please read our tips on how to settle new piggies by deliberately avoiding any pedatory/hunting behaviours , understand their instincts, so you can work around them and make friends with them by using their own social interactive behaviours, which they understand instinctively, rather than expecting them to learn to interpret human languare and behaviours. It will make a real difference and speed up that process!

You can find the relevant guides in the first section of our new owners' information and help guide collection, which you may find very useful: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides