Dannyguinea
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi, I have just adopted the guinea pig but I am not sure if he likes me because is hiding from me all the time, how can I tell?
Does my guinea likes me
- Thread starter Dannyguinea
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Welcome to the forum.
We have a thread dedicated to guinea pig behaviour which you might find helpful.
Guinea pigs are prey animals and so they hide from anyone who could be a predator.
It takes time and patience for them to settle down and trust us.
Make sure you place food by his hiding place so that he can get it without coming out.
Is he a single piggy ?
Guinea pigs are not wired to live alone but with at least 1 companion.
Ensure that part of the cage is covered to give a feeling of safety.
Spend time just quietly sitting with him beside the cage, talk gently to him so he gets used to your voice.
When I’ve had new piggies I’ve discussed current affairs with them or read them stories.
It doesn’t matter what the words are, it’s the tone of voice.
Looking forward to getting to know you
We have a thread dedicated to guinea pig behaviour which you might find helpful.
Guinea pigs are prey animals and so they hide from anyone who could be a predator.
It takes time and patience for them to settle down and trust us.
Make sure you place food by his hiding place so that he can get it without coming out.
Is he a single piggy ?
Guinea pigs are not wired to live alone but with at least 1 companion.
Ensure that part of the cage is covered to give a feeling of safety.
Spend time just quietly sitting with him beside the cage, talk gently to him so he gets used to your voice.
When I’ve had new piggies I’ve discussed current affairs with them or read them stories.
It doesn’t matter what the words are, it’s the tone of voice.
Looking forward to getting to know you
Welcome to the forum
As prey animals, piggies need weeks to months to settle in. They will spend the first weeks hiding before they learn that they are safe and gain confidence. Settling in is not a quick process. We recommend that they are left alone to settle for the first week (just feeding, watering and spot cleaning) and then slowly sit by their cage for the second week onwards, then start offering food from your hand (which may or may not be taken) and then build it yourself from there
Cover part of the cage with a sheet. Piggies fear being attacked from above and don’t like open spaces so the sheet will help him feel safe and more confident to come out - but they usually only happens when you are not around initially. Make sure you put hay nearby so he doesn’t have to come out if he doesn’t want to.
Take time and be slow and steady with him.
Importantly, make sure he has a friend.
Piggies should never be kept alone. They will suffer from stress and loneliness if they don’t have companionship from another guinea pig. It can actually make settling in much harder if they are alone.
As a male piggy, he can live with one other male; or he needs to be neutered and then he can have one or more female companions (cage size dependent).
I’ve added some guides in below to help further
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
Companionship
As prey animals, piggies need weeks to months to settle in. They will spend the first weeks hiding before they learn that they are safe and gain confidence. Settling in is not a quick process. We recommend that they are left alone to settle for the first week (just feeding, watering and spot cleaning) and then slowly sit by their cage for the second week onwards, then start offering food from your hand (which may or may not be taken) and then build it yourself from there
Cover part of the cage with a sheet. Piggies fear being attacked from above and don’t like open spaces so the sheet will help him feel safe and more confident to come out - but they usually only happens when you are not around initially. Make sure you put hay nearby so he doesn’t have to come out if he doesn’t want to.
Take time and be slow and steady with him.
Importantly, make sure he has a friend.
Piggies should never be kept alone. They will suffer from stress and loneliness if they don’t have companionship from another guinea pig. It can actually make settling in much harder if they are alone.
As a male piggy, he can live with one other male; or he needs to be neutered and then he can have one or more female companions (cage size dependent).
I’ve added some guides in below to help further
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
Companionship
Dannyguinea
Junior Guinea Pig
Thanks, that's very helpful
Dannyguinea
Junior Guinea Pig
Thanks for all the advice, Paul, that's my guinea name looks better relaxed now