Do guinea pigs need shelter?

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rainbowstarsx

rainbowstarsx

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Damon always seems to be inside his igloo, all the time.

Anybody else have this problem? And do they need to be hid all the time?
 
they're naturally quite timid creatures but can be coaxed into coming out more. Sit with them, talk to them gently when they are in the cage, hand-feed them. I used to sit with my hand in the cage watching TV so they'd get accustomed to me not being a threat. My piggies now run towards me when they are in their run... sweet. It just requires a lot of patience and commitment.

Yes they do need shelter as in the wild they are burrowing creatures, it's their instinct to nest!
 
I have an outdoor hutch and I rarely catch my piggys out of their sleeping section in their little home sweet home house!

Each time I go out to them, about 10 times a day!, I lift it up and see two little bums which then scuttle through to the other area.

I worry they don't have enough to do in their hutch so try to get them out as often as I can.

Are they new?
 
Yes it takes a lot of time and patience like MrsM said..gentle coaxing and talking softly to them.

I had a major breakthrough today after 5 months..Cocoa ran onto my lap and up to my chest and lat down for a cuddle..i was gobsmacked...it just so rewarding when it happens x)
 
I'd had him since November?
I handle him every day, and talk to him all the time?
Just seems weird how he doesn't like me yet!
 
He will hunny it will just happen could take even a year for him to fully trust..Ollie, my other girl is very timid but slowly coming round.
 
I'm sure he does, but it really takes a lot of time. Don't give up. The way to a piggie's heart is definitely through his stomach, so hand feed him his fave foods when out, he'll soon learn!
 
Yes we have deffinitly earned trust through hand feeding.
 
Don't panic, I had my two for 8 months or so before they felt safe enough to remain in the "exposed" area of the cage while people were around. At 2 years old they'd become bold as brass, standing up at the bars of the cage and wheeking to get our attention and usually a little nibble of something tasty!).

Keep at it; they'll come to trust you after a little while. A little slice of cucumber or carrot here and there will help things along nicely too :)

But, all the same, they do need somewhere they can hide when it all gets too much for their little piggy brains; that igloo should be somewhere your guinea pig can use as his "panic room"!
 
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My 3 months pig is still a baby, and it's not that shy, i think that yours needs some accomodation. And if he's staying too much time inside, try to get him out and don't let him go back, and show him that nothing bad is gonna happend. That's a good exercise for your darling guinea pig.
 
Most of my guinea pigs have pigloo but I dont really like them, I find the girls fighting for the same spot so I have to have 2/3 in each cage rolleyes I know they need them but it takes up so much space in a cage!

I have had Ruby for 8 weeks this saturday and shes got a pigloo I shout Ruby and she, pooh & Eeyore come running out, its all to do with food though:)) I think it depends on the pig and the "reward" of coming out of the pigloo :)
 
My Fred was awfully timid, I got him on his own. He never came out ever he was terrified, then I got him 2 friends (Spayed Sows). I have a different pig now.

In my opinion piggies need friends, all my pigs are always out in the open they have a hide but would rather greet me at the door. Fred is only like that now because he feels more secure with having so many other pigs around :). He now lives with Wilma but has 4 neighbours, there's always something going on.
 
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Out of my 15 Guinea Pigs, I have 6 that almost never come out of their shelters, 1 that comes in and goes out an even amount and 8 that almost never get into their shelters. So it has varied with my Guinea pigs lol
 
It can also depend on the piggy, some are just more shy than others. But they do need a pigloo or hide of some sort as it helps them to feel safe and secure.
 
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