Handling a new piggie

Hannahb2804

Hannahb2804

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Bringing new piggies home on Saturday so I’m asking as many questions I can to make sure I’m ready, I’ve done research for about 3 months so I think I’m on the right track, but I was wondering how long to let the piggies stay in their cage until I can handle them as I want to bond with them as soon as I can, I also want to know when is it best to let them come out for floor time and a run around. Any tips are welcome!
 
The best thing is to leave them to settle for a few days and then take things at their pace. The best thing is to start by offering them food from your hand, they may be too scared to take it at first, but you will get there eventually.

Piggies are prey animals and some will become less nervous quicker than others. I’ve had my two boys for almost two years - one of them settled quickly, taking food from my hand, coming up to the cage bars chat, letting me stroke his head within a couple of months. The other one has only started consistently taking food from my hand in the last couple of months (yes it has taken almost two years for him to gain enough confidence!) despite my trying everything to gain his trust.

For floor time, I’d let them settle into their cage first and gain some confidence before giving them another area. You’ll likely find that if you let them out too early, they may just hide. All you can really do is try and see how they react - some will be ready sooner than others
 
Piggies&buns said:
The best thing is to leave them to settle for a few days and then take things at their pace. The best thing is to start by offering them food from your hand, they may be too scared to take it at first, but you will get there eventually.

Piggies are prey animals and some will become less nervous quicker than others. I’ve had my two boys for almost two years - one of them settled quickly, taking food from my hand, coming up to the cage bars chat, letting me stroke his head within a couple of months. The other one has only started consistently taking food from my hand in the last couple of months (yes it has taken almost two years for him to gain enough confidence!) despite my trying everything to gain his trust.

For floor time, I’d let them settle into their cage first and gain some confidence before giving them another area. You’ll likely find that if you let them out too early, they may just hide. All you can really do is try and see how they react - some will be ready sooner than others
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Is this the same if they get handled regularly at the rescue or does it apply to all piggies when they’re in a new home x
 
Hannahb2804 said:
Bringing new piggies home on Saturday so I’m asking as many questions I can to make sure I’m ready, I’ve done research for about 3 months so I think I’m on the right track, but I was wondering how long to let the piggies stay in their cage until I can handle them as I want to bond with them as soon as I can, I also want to know when is it best to let them come out for floor time and a run around. Any tips are welcome!
Click to expand...
I would start by just , sitting and watching not going too near so you startle them though .
Maybe talk to them
Then after a few days , try hand feeding veg .

One of my piggies wasn't tame for like 2 months , others were tame pretty quick
 
Wherever you get them from, you need to give them some time to settle into their new home. I gave the girls a week then started with trying to hand feed.

You can use something to pick them up which will make it easier for them and perhaps you. Either a tunnel, cuddle sack or something similar. Have a read of the threads I’ve linked below.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Aren’t you lucky a rescue was open ☺️
 
Siikibam said:
Wherever you get them from, you need to give them some time to settle into their new home. I gave the girls a week then started with trying to hand feed.

You can use something to pick them up which will make it easier for them and perhaps you. Either a tunnel, cuddle sack or something similar. Have a read of the threads I’ve linked below.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Aren’t you lucky a rescue was open ☺
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Okay thankyou! Well I’ve been waiting since end of March and luckily the rescue owner thought of a way to do it non contact whatsoever so I had an over the phone talk with her so I’m really pleased she was able to do it! Really upset me I was unable to get one due to what’s happening so I’m so happy I get to pick them up Saturday!
 
Hannahb2804 said:
Okay thankyou! Well I’ve been waiting since end of March and luckily the rescue owner thought of a way to do it non contact whatsoever so I had an over the phone talk with her so I’m really pleased she was able to do it! Really upset me I was unable to get one due to what’s happening so I’m so happy I get to pick them up Saturday!
Click to expand...
Be careful with tunnels because one of my piggies decided to jump out of a tunnel when I was using that method .
 
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