Do any one have any tips on getting my guinea pigs more friendly

xlittlepiggiesx

xlittlepiggiesx

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Does anyone have and tips or tricks to get Guinea pigs more friendly I’ve had mine for around 6 months maybe more now and they still squirm and run away when I go near them, they take food out of my hands but run away straight away ?
 
If they take food from you, then it sounds like you’re Doing well with them! The majority of piggies don’t like being picked up, it’s in their nature to be nervous and sometimes they just aren’t cuddly creatures at all.
I have two boys, one of whom never comes near me (Popcorn), he runs off as soon as he realises I’m there, he won’t eat if he realises I’m watching etc. The other (dexter) is much happier to come and have a chat, take food from me etc. Neither of them like being picked up. I’ve had mine for over a year and while there was improvement within the first three months after I got them, Popcorn has not progressed any further beyond that point.
 
xlittlepiggiesx said:
I see so many piggies who are real rally friendly I just want mine like it too 😓😢
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It is a bit of a misconception that piggies are cuddly. Some are, but most don’t like being picked up etc as it cuts too close to their prey instinct. The fact that they take food from you is great, they trust you enough for that. Do they live indoors?
 
Piggies&buns said:
It is a bit of a misconception that piggies are cuddly. Some are, but most don’t like being picked up etc as it cuts too close to their prey instinct. The fact that they take food from you is great, they trust you enough for that. Do they live indoors?
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No outdoors unfortunately I can't have all 11 inside it's just the two girls who live with my 3 older girls x
 
Mine are outdoors in my shed too. I spend so much time out there with them and otherwise just generally being in the garden that I had hoped that they’d get used to noise etc and not spook so easily but it hasn’t worked that way for both of them.
 
Yea find a food they love and go to the cage bars and feed it, they realise you are not danger, but a provider. They will still be scatty from time to time though. Because of they prey animal inside them
 
The more you talk to them and hand feed them, they may in time become less skittish. But all guinea pigs are different and some are never going to be lap piggies. I've had my two for a year now and I can hand feed them at the cage, they'll sniff my hands, climb my legs for pellets at floor time and nudge me out of the way, sleep out in the open if I'm around and sometimes sit next to me, so they're perfectly relaxed and confident around me. But they don't let me stroke them and they absolutely hate being on my lap and will just thrash around so I'll put them down or they escape. I got the sense that Primrose was a 'forgotten about' child's pet so possibly didn't have much human interaction before I adopted her, and Stanley I don't know his background (he's younger than she is) but he seems to have learnt how to interact with me from Primrose. It'd be nice for me if they were 'friendlier' in the sense of being lap piggies etc but we get along fine and I have to respect that neither of them are the 'cuddly' type.
 
Do you have a big snuggle pouch that you can sit them on your knee in and hand feed little bits of veggies. All piggies are skittish at first but gradually learn that you are the slave that feeds them. I always hold back some of their daily veggies for the evening when they come out and have laptime, it’s a routine, they understand that it’s treat time too
 
Bill & Ted said:
Do you have a big snuggle pouch that you can sit them on your knee in and hand feed little bits of veggies. All piggies are skittish at first but gradually learn that you are the slave that feeds them. I always hold back some of their daily veggies for the evening when they come out and have laptime, it’s a routine, they understand that it’s treat time too
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I normally sit on a bale of shavings with a blanket or towel and hand feed them
 
It’s great that they let you hand feed then. My Elizabeth has been with me for 3 months now and still doesn’t take food from me and will hide when I approach the cage where as the other two are always up at the bars.
I’ve had Ellen since she was 8 weeks old. She’s 4.5 now and still doesn’t like to be stroked un the cage and I accept that.

Be proud that they trust you enough to eat from your hand :)
 
Claire W said:
It’s great that they let you hand feed then. My Elizabeth has been with me for 3 months now and still doesn’t take food from me and will hide when I approach the cage where as the other two are always up at the bars.
I’ve had Ellen since she was 8 weeks old. She’s 4.5 now and still doesn’t like to be stroked un the cage and I accept that.

Be proud that they trust you enough to eat from your hand :)
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Oh bless them , I am proud off them hopefully if I keep working hard they will get more use too me x
 
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