Guinea Pig Doesn't Let Me Touch Sides

[Liquoricefudge]

Hello, we have two four month old guinea pig girls. They have both got more and more out of their shells since we've been with them but recently they have both gotten harder and harder to pick up, one of them especially. If I even touch the side of her then she will freak out and try and kick me off/jump away/scatter. Originally she was the easiest to pick up but it has completely changed. It is clear she hates being picked up really! We pick them up exactly how you are meant to by not being too rough and supporting their rear but the process of getting them to that position is a huge problem, as she doesn't even let me brush the side of her then its almost impossible to pick her up. I have tried giving her their favourite vegetable as a treat when I manage to pick her up but it doesn't seem to be helping at all. Any ideas?

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, we have two four month old guinea pig girls. They have both got more and more out of their shells since we've been with them but recently they have both gotten harder and harder to pick up, one of them especially. If I even touch the side of her then she will freak out and try and kick me off/jump away/scatter. Originally she was the easiest to pick up but it has completely changed. It is clear she hates being picked up really! We pick them up exactly how you are meant to by not being too rough and supporting their rear but the process of getting them to that position is a huge problem, as she doesn't even let me brush the side of her then its almost impossible to pick her up. I have tried giving her their favourite vegetable as a treat when I manage to pick her up but it doesn't seem to be helping at all. Any ideas?

Hi and welcome!

Your girls are now trusting you enough to show you your true feelings. Very few piggies really like being picked up; it cuts too close to their prey animal instincts.

You may find these threads here helpful. You can find lots more information at the top of our various Care sections.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...stincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-pick-up-your-guinea-pig.126359/
(Alternatively, you could use a lidded walk-in cardboard box that you fill lightly with some soft fresh hay; that should also do the trick very nicely.)

 

[Nick c]

All three of our boars object to being touched on their sides. Kind of the armpit area of their back legs if that makes sense. I think it is almost like a reflex action when they are touched there. They are all handled regularly and are content with it, but just don't like that area being touched.
As a child we had a dog and if you touched him under the armpit of his front paws his leg would flick out like us being tapped on the knee to test our reflexes. I think it may be something similiar witb the guinea pigs.

 

[Critter]

Mine aren't keen on the sides being touched either. I think it is quite normal.
For picking them up you may find it useful to change tactic and usher them into a box to pick them up with, not so scary for them as the dreaded 'grabbing hands' that freak many many piggies out x

 

[Liquoricefudge]

Thanks for everyones help! I think we will change tactic when it comes to picking them up and see how that goes. Will just avoid touching her sides from now on!