Floor time

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Deleted member 147427

Hi guys.

I tried to have some floortime with my two girls today. I put some fleece blankets down on the kitchen floor and lifted them out the cage in the gnawing log that they like to sit in . I also took there igloo hide out there cage so they could hide under there if the got scared.

The didn’t move an inch out there log. I don’t know if this was cause they were anxious and scared of it being such a big open space
 
Not all piggies will like floor time.
You are right about them being scared of the big open space.
Just be guided by them and don’t force floor time.
Given time they will feel safer and more secure with you and then they may enjoy floor time.
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
Hi guys.

I tried to have some floortime with my two girls today. I put some fleece blankets down on the kitchen floor and lifted them out the cage in the gnawing log that they like to sit in . I also took there igloo hide out there cage so they could hide under there if the got scared.

The didn’t move an inch out there log. I don’t know if this was cause they were anxious and scared of it being such a big open space
Click to expand...

Hi

Keep in mind that guinea pigs are prey animals that have evolved moving around in single file along paths in thick underground in their territory. Open spaces scream danger to them.

Start under the kitchen table and place several hideys very close to each other so your piggies can use them as exploration basis. It would also help if you put the blankets in their cage so they can scent mark them before you spread them out onto the floor; this tells them that this is part of their territory. Scent is a rather weak human sense but it is one of the most important guinea pig senses. Sprinkle their pellets close to their hideys and then gradually further and further apart once they start exploring.

Brace yourself that it may take several weeks and a fe setbacks for them to gain their confidence. Normally they would have an older guinea pig to act as their guardian and teacher at this age.
- Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs (will help you to understand where your guinea pigs come from)
- Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips (explains how prey animal instincts work)

Be patient and persist. Use areas with a cover (if necessary a blanket over the run area until they become more confident).
 
Merab's Slave said:
Not all piggies will like floor time.
You are right about them being scared of the big open space.
Just be guided by them and don’t force floor time.
Given time they will feel safer and more secure with you and then they may enjoy floor time.
Click to expand...
Thanks should I keep trying until they are eventually brave enough to come out and explore
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

Keep in mind that guinea pigs are prey animals that have evolved moving around in single file along paths in thick underground in their territory. Open spaces scream danger to them.

Start under the kitchen table and place several hideys very close to each other so your piggies can use them as exploration basis. It would also help if you put the blankets in their cage so they can scent mark them before you spread them out onto the floor; this tells them that this is part of their territory. Scent is a rather weak human sense but it is one of the most important guinea pig senses. Sprinkle their pellets close to their hideys and then gradually further and further apart once they start exploring.

Brace yourself that it may take several weeks and a fe setbacks for them to gain their confidence. Normally they would have an older guinea pig to act as their guardian and teacher at this age.
- Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs (will help you to understand where your guinea pigs come from)
- Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips (explains how prey animal instincts work)

Be patient and persist. Use areas with a cover (if necessary a blanket over the run area until they become more confident).
Click to expand...
Ok thanks I was wanting to try and sit on the floor with them to bond with them . I don’t have a run for them yet
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
Ok thanks I was wanting to try and sit on the floor with them to bond with them . I don’t have a run for them yet
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Please make sure that they cannot run under or behind any units or get stuck. Personally, I would wait until they have settled more in their cage and their surroundings and until you have that run.
 
Wiebke said:
Please make sure that they cannot run under or behind any units or get stuck. Personally, I would wait until they have settled more in their cage and their surroundings and until you have that run.
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I have had them for over a month now won’t they already be settled
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
I have had them for over a month now won’t they already be settled
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Hi!

It will often take several months to settle down. Keep in mind that a spooked piggy will bolt blindly and can be very hard to catch; not to mention that will they will take quite a long time to settle down after an episode like that.

Your have shown clearly that they are not ready for free-roaming.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

It will often take several months to settle down. Keep in mind that a spooked piggy will bolt blindly and can be very hard to catch; not to mention that will they will take quite a long time to settle down after an episode like that.

Your have shown clearly that they are not ready for free-roaming.
Click to expand...
Yeah I’ll maybe leave it a few days and try again
 
Guinea lover 1982 said:
Yeah I’ll maybe leave it a few days and try again
Click to expand...

Please make sure that they cannot run away if they take a fright. Getting hold of them again is a very traumatic experience for them and will undo any work you have done up till now. Please wait until you have a run and can peg a blanket over it at first.
 
Wiebke said:
Please make sure that they cannot run away if they take a fright. Getting hold of them again is a very traumatic experience for them and will undo any work you have done up till now. Please wait until you have a run and can peg a blanket over it at first.
Click to expand...
Ok
 
I found mine are more comfortable with floor time now they have a door. I set up hides and tunnels for them and open their door. At first they didn't really venture far and kept running back in now they try to get out before I've finished opening the door. Before they had a door they would just hide or even try to get back in.

They have started to follow me around during floor time too. Has took a while to get there though. One especially still hates to be picked up (he's OK once you have him though)
 
Once they're more confident in a run, with multiple hideys and food etc, you can sit still on the floor with food and try to tempt them to take it from you. I make a particular noise every time I give veg, and even the piggies I got recently quickly learned the noise and come running to that noise. Sitting quiet in the pen I make that noise. Takes a good, long while to get them confident but lovely to have a little piggy getting closer for a treat!
 
Is this the first time they have been in the kitchen on the floor? If it is, they were probably scared.

Imagine someone took you out of your house and put you in a new place, you'd be a bit scared wouldn't you? I know I would be.

If you want to make friends with your new piggies, you could try talking to them or even singing quietly to them.

Guinea pigs love food. What's their favourite veg? You could work on hand feeding them their fave veg each time it's veggie time.

Do you have a cuddle sack? One thing you could do is have your piggies go into the cuddle sack and have them on your lap while they're still in the cuddle sack. You can gently stroke them and talk to them.
To begin with only have them out 5-10 minutes then after a few weeks of doing this have them out a bit longer like 15-20 minutes. Remember piggies will need to pee so make sure you have a towel or pee pad on your lap or your legs will get wet.
 
I’ve tried to have floor time with my two piggies once to give them a little more exercise . I put fleece blankets down on my kitchen floor . I’m
Not sure if they where a little scared as they just seemed to hide in there gnawing log
 
Keep giving them a predictable environment, chat quietly as you approach the cage, keep them together as much as possible etc and they'll relax.

Some piggies don't like floor time but as yours are still settling in, it's probably because they're nervous. Put hideys near other hideys and lay out food, and stay quiet, and they'll probably eventually creep out.

Piggies are active at dusk and dawn, and mine don't often like floor time at a time they'd want to be chilling out resting. They enjoy it more during their active time of the day.
 
You've already asked this question multiple times and we've already been through it.

Your piggies are still settling in, leave them be.

It's a new environment, they will be scared. It takes time for them to know this is a safe space.
 
@Guinea lover 1982 you're wanting the best for your pets.

When people give you a good answer, and you ask the question again, they feel that what they've said and their effort hasn't been respected and it's not a nice feeling.

If it's hard for you to remember all this information, as it is for all new owners, could you tap the bell symbol at the top right of the page, and chat through the main points of your posts with someone helpful, your Mum or a friend?
 
I have merged these threads as this question has already been answered previously. I am closing the thread to further replies as answers have been given
 
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