First Few Days Home

[Avalon]

Hi
Just wanted to get a bit of advice. This is my first foray into GPS (had rats and hamsters) so not sure what to expect in general.

We just brought out two boys home today. They are brothers, approx 4 months old and where we got them from housed outside (such a lovely set up with lots of other piggies). So my questions:

1. I have read up lots before getting them and know it's going to take them a while to settle but I'm a bit worried they have sat in their igloo all day and not been out for any food or water...is this normal?

2. Is it hard on them to go from being outside to inside? We are keeping them as quiet as possible but it must be a culture shock for them with all the odd house noises. Anything else we can do to reduce any stress?

3. As with the other pets we have had, we are trying to leave them be for a while to settle in but when should we start interacting with them? Also, would it be better to let them out in the room (piggie proofed) so they can run around and approach us if they want or wait to get them out until they are more used to us? They are VERY well handled. When we went to see them they snuggled up quite blissed out.

Thanks for any replies!

 

[artcasper]

i bet they sneak out at night... i am sure in time they will be out and wheeking.. x

 

[Galaxy&nibbles]

Yes that sounds normal, they will be sneaking in and out when no one is around.

I think it's said to try and leave them 24-72 hours to settle before handling, I guess it's down to you and when you feel they are ready!

If it were me, I'd just go around my normal house routine and they'll get used to all the noises etc.

Welcome to the forum, I look forward to hearing all about them and hopefully some pictures

 

[Parnassus]

Seconded! This all sounds perfectly normal to me, too.

It's hard for them to change environments in general. They are prey animals and, wisely, they proceed with caution at first.

With new guinea pigs, I try to pet them if they let me in the first few days, but not much. They'll let you know if it's too soon for that. I let them hide, adjust, and keep feeling safe. Soon, they'll believe it's okay to "come out of their shell" (or igloo as it were). One thing I've found helpful is to hang out near the cage and talk to them, so they get used to my voice. Sometimes I would sing and they seemed to come out of their hiding place for Beatles songs!

If you want to ease them into your environment's noises, here are a couple of things I did with my last pair: We watch a lot of movies in the living room - a lot of them action movies. So, in the first week, I would only watch movies with soothing soundtracks (Pride & Prejudice, The Painted Veil, etc.). Anything that didn't have scary noises or laugh tracks, etc. So, they got used to the noise source and the whole idea of movie sounds. When I watched action for the first time, I started in with a very low volume, and upped the volume to a normal noise level for us after a couple weeks. Maybe I'm completely crazy and all this was unnecessary, but it made me feel better to know that I wasn't scaring them or making things harder during the transition.

I would start giving them floor time every day very soon, even if they're still adjusting to the environment. It's good for exercise and grazing fun. One thing I did in the first couple weeks is jus sit in the space while they ran around me. They were cautious as first, but soon, they were using my legs as make-shift tunnels to run under and, when I put hay in my lap, they would climb up on me to get to it!

If any guinea pig is a tough nugget to crack over time and they won't let you touch them, try conditioning: veggie treat or pellets from your hand only. Lure them out of their hiding place with it. Work up to a pet on the nose, then they get the treat from your hand. Work from the nose backward, making longer strokes over time. I did this with a guinea pig for months who had a serious fear of hands and it made a great difference!

 

[Parnassus]

Oh! And my first pair sat in their igloo for several days, only coming out to eat and drink. After a couple weeks, they barely spent any time in it! They loved to play once they were relaxed and knew there was no danger around.

 

[Avalon]

Thanks for the tips

3 days and they are still super nervous of me but I really think talking to them is helping. I got them out of their cage last night and let them mooch about for an hour. They got really brave and came up to sniff my legs which made me happy. The only issue I'm having is getting them back in. I don't want to chase them as it can be super stressful but they really freak out when I approach them which understandable. Any tips on getting them back in?

I can't wait to get the c&c set up as I'm planning on having a door to open so they can come and go on their on for playtime. The cage I currently have only has a top door. I can remember having the same issues with getting my rats back in their cage but once I got a door I could just open and let them come and go as they pleased they we much happier

 

[sport_billy]

Thanks for the tips

3 days and they are still super nervous of me but I really think talking to them is helping. I got them out of their cage last night and let them mooch about for an hour. They got really brave and came up to sniff my legs which made me happy. The only issue I'm having is getting them back in. I don't want to chase them as it can be super stressful but they really freak out when I approach them which understandable. Any tips on getting them back in?

I can't wait to get the c&c set up as I'm planning on having a door to open so they can come and go on their on for playtime. The cage I currently have only has a top door. I can remember having the same issues with getting my rats back in their cage but once I got a door I could just open and let them come and go as they pleased they we much happier

Have a look at this for catching them

takes the stress out

 

[Avalon]

Ah that is perfect! Got a couple of tubes but might have to make one of those cosy things. Got lots of left over fleece from my pads

 

[Loobyg83]

@Avalon glad they are settling in. Slight tangent, where did you get your fleece from? IT all seems to be really expensive and I need to buy on line (I live in the middle of nowhere!)

 

[Avalon]

I got mine from QD...2 for £5. Perfect for my cage and using the other one for accessories

 

[Avalon]

They dont seem to like me very much...lol! Won't come out their tunnels at all if I'm near the cage. Been talking to them lots though. Did manage to talk to Bubble while he was out eating his greens but as soon as I breathed hard he went crazy and hid in his tunnel again.

Tried the tunnel method to get them back in their cage which went ok but still had to chase them to actually get them in the tunnel. Think these 2 are going to take a long time to trust me. It's hard because I look at how darn cute they are and I just think 'Love me..I'm cool'

 

[Parnassus]

Every guinea pig is different. Some take their time growing to like you. Remember that, to them, you probably look like some kind of flightless bird who wants dinner. Keep with it, stick to the routines - give a treat after petting them every day, every time you give a treat, and they will start thinking you're like a big friendly carrot instead!

It's so rewarding when they start to show acceptance. I remember the first time my guinea pig licked my finger and I didn't have any treats. Amazing! The first time she puddled in my lap! So, so rewarding. Maybe it's because it takes some time, it feels that much more special when they act like you're a part of the tribe. Don't give up, you're doing great!

 

[Avalon]

With my rats it took about 3 months for them to tolerate me so I'm in for the long haul with these 2

They currently won't take treats or food from me. They just turn their head away or stare at the food without so much as a nibble so this is currently not a bonding option. I'm going with talking to them lots (even sang to them yesterday!) and strokes so they know I'm not going to hurt them.