Hairbrushing and nail cutting for the first time

[Guinessandus]

Hi,
we are New Guinea pig owners and we have had them for 2 weeks. We think we have a Silkie (Caramel) and a mix of Texel and something (Roxy) the black and white. They are around 3 months and 2 weeks now. They are happily eating, drinking, pooing and even pop corning but they are still very scared of us. They now can eat from our hand sometimes but there is no way I can hold them to examine them if they are healthy, brush or do any nail cutting. I have looked through all the guides and videos on how to pick up, hold a guinea pig but they are not even close to staying still even 3 seconds. We have tried snuggle bag as well. They try to escape and I am afraid to hold them too hard so it is very difficult to get them out of the cage to clean it. I have taken an appointment to the vet for a first time check in 2 weeks, so when they have been 1 months. I thought the vet can then cut the nails and teach us the first time. I feel it is very long to wait with brushing, and checking but how important is it do you think? And when do you think they will allow us to hold them still a little in our lap with a blanket? Thank you for a great forum, very useful and helpful to us

 

[Piggies&buns]

Slow and steady is best with piggies. Two weeks is still such a very short space of time - it’s generally weeks to months for them to fully settle.
When they will let you hold them is not something we can predict - it could a few weeks, could take years or they may never allow any lap time. My boys have been with me for four years and I’ve never been able to do any lap time with them, they just don’t like it so there is no point as it is stressful for me and them. My handling of my boys is purely for health check purposes.
All you can do is take it at their pace, remembering that piggies that sit still can often be the most scared - too scared to move. If they struggle and fuss, then that is actually a good sign, it means they feel comfortable enough to tell you that they don’t like being held.

In terms of cleaning the cage, they don’t need to be taken out for that to happen, just clean the cage around them, they will learn the move out of the way! I don’t ever remove my boys before cleaning their hutch.

The guide below may help you
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

 

[Seven7]

Hello and welcome.
Love your new babies. One of them looks like my boy Finn.
Per doctors order, I always use a towel, a soft cloth, or fleece to gently hold when cutting nails. Supporting them with towels prevent mishandling and dropping them.

I give them breaks in between cutting nails so as not to overwhelm them and this has worked in the past.

Below is my boy Finn. See the similarities?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
Please don't airbrush. A judicious haircut around the bits that tend to mat badly minimises the long-hair problems and grooming time (which most hate anyway). This also allows more natural species behaviour.

Here is our hair cutting guide with videos and practical tips. Please do not cut hairs in an exposed setting in order to prevent blind freak jumps and accidents from falls to the ground.
An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

It usually takes around 2 weeks for your guinea pigs to establish/re-establish a group on any new territory. It can take longer for piggies coming from a commercial/breeder background with minimal human interaction to settle into a complex pet home situation with very different expections and lots more noises and complex scents (which are their stronger senses).
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)

Here is the guide link to our helpful New Owners practical tips and important informatiion collection, which you may want to bookmark: Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum .
Your piggies are gorgeous.
You have had some excellent advice already.

I have a girl with long fur and use water based, scent free baby wipes to help keep her bottom clean. She will now permit, on occasion , me to hold her in my lap.
She is about 5 years old and I’ve had her for just over 4 years!

 

[Guinessandus]

Slow and steady is best with piggies. Two weeks is still such a very short space of time - it’s generally weeks to months for them to fully settle.
When they will let you hold them is not something we can predict - it could a few weeks, could take years or they may never allow any lap time. My boys have been with me for four years and I’ve never been able to do any lap time with them, they just don’t like it so there is no point as it is stressful for me and them. My handling of my boys is purely for health check purposes.
All you can do is take it at their pace, remembering that piggies that sit still can often be the most scared - too scared to move. If they struggle and fuss, then that is actually a good sign, it means they feel comfortable enough to tell you that they don’t like being held.

In terms of cleaning the cage, they don’t need to be taken out for that to happen, just clean the cage around them, they will learn the move out of the way! I don’t ever remove my boys before cleaning their hutch.

The guide below may help you
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

Thank you so much for very helpful redponse

 

[Guinessandus]

Hi
Please don't airbrush. A judicious haircut around the bits that tend to mat badly minimises the long-hair problems and grooming time (which most hate anyway). This also allows more natural species behaviour.

Here is our hair cutting guide with videos and practical tips. Please do not cut hairs in an exposed setting in order to prevent blind freak jumps and accidents from falls to the ground.
An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

It usually takes around 2 weeks for your guinea pigs to establish/re-establish a group on any new territory. It can take longer for piggies coming from a commercial/breeder background with minimal human interaction to settle into a complex pet home situation with very different expections and lots more noises and complex scents (which are their stronger senses).
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)

Here is the guide link to our helpful New Owners practical tips and important informatiion collection, which you may want to bookmark: Getting Started - Essential Information for New Owners

Thank you, the h disappeared! Supposed to say hairbrushing. Very helpful!

 

[Guinessandus]

Hello and welcome.
Love your new babies. One of them looks like my boy Finn.
Per doctors order, I always use a towel, a soft cloth, or fleece to gently hold when cutting nails. Supporting them with towels prevent mishandling and dropping them.

I give them breaks in between cutting nails so as not to overwhelm them and this has worked in the past.

Below is my boy Finn. See the similarities?

Soo cute, thank you for your helpful response