Handling - How To Catch Them?

Pemblebee

Pemblebee

Junior Guinea Pig
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Got my girlies home on thurs so I have been leaving them alone to settle in. But a couple of them need daily grooming so I am going to have to start handling them.

I am ok with how to handle once I have caught them. But how is the best way to catch them? They are in a large cage and still a little skittish around hands (they let me tickle them but as soon as the hand moves to their sides they run) I don't want to be chasing them around the cage and scaring them.
 
I know exactly the type of piggies you're talking about! Mine are the same. One in particular is almost impossible to catch, so I wait till he hides in a fleece tunnel and lift that with him in it. A cardboard one does the job too.(hand over each end so he can't jump out. I have, on occasion even lifted the hay tray with him in it, but it's not the safest way to go. Funny thing is, they jump up on my knee by themselves when I'm hand feeding them, but I can't even lift them from there, but if I lift them onto my knee, they sit fine for petting....strange creatures! Good luck with yours!
 
Pemblebee said:
Got my girlies home on thurs so I have been leaving them alone to settle in. But a couple of them need daily grooming so I am going to have to start handling them.

I am ok with how to handle once I have caught them. But how is the best way to catch them? They are in a large cage and still a little skittish around hands (they let me tickle them but as soon as the hand moves to their sides they run) I don't want to be chasing them around the cage and scaring them.
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I use a snuggle sack to corral them into and once they are in their sacks I reward them with a leaf of some sort so they can associate being moved around with something positive and not negative. They are so used to it now I just say "In the bag" and they just jump right in ready for their treat. They are so gullible lol. Treats are the answer to pretty much everything with my two.
 
My Jingle has gotmwise to being offered hidies or tunnels to catch her in so I corner her with spare grids, very gently. She is fine once picked up.
 
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