I'm new to this!

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NickyNoo

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Hi, I'm Nicky and I'm the proud new owner of 2 gorgeous guinea pigs, Bart and Harvey. I've never had pets before, either as a child or adult, but my youngest son (6) is animal-mad, so we've just acquired the piggies 2 days ago.

I've been doing TONS of reading, so I feel quite well informed about what we're doing, but I thought you experienced owners might be able to help me out with one or two queries!

Bart and Harvey are so incredibly timid and jumpy, I understand this is normal. I'm so keen for them to get used to us, so I've been talking to them plenty, I have actually managed to stroke them a couple of times, but generally they look terrified as soon as I open the door, poor things, and tear around in a mad panic, I worry that they'll hurt themselves. How long before I can have a go at picking them up? At the moment, I can't believe that they'll let me near enough to do that, I guess it just needs a bit of time!

We've had them here since Sunday morning, and they have spent almost the whole time hiding away in the bedroom - is that normal? Maybe I'm expecting too much too soon! I did hear one of them earlier this evening, I guess he was drinking (they do seem to be eating and drinking, which is reassuring). How long is it likely to be before they venture out of hiding when I'm around?

I feel so responsible, I keep worrying that they're ok! But we're also very excited about this new adventure :).
 
Its ok, dont worry. Its very natural for piggies to be skittish/scared when they first get home. Not only because they are a prey animal but also a new home, new noisies and smells.

Everyone tends to say a little bit different, I tend to pick my piggies up straight away to get them used to my contact. It can take weeks for piggies to come out of their shell, it always depends on their personality too.

What your doing sounds fine. Some people say starting by talking then stroking then gently picking them up. I guess I'm a bit horrible and just have them on my lap straight away.

I hope this helps. I hope your piggies bring you lots of joy and happiness. Weclome to the forum! :)

xx.
 
That sounds normal. I started off with two. Fell in love with another and ended up with 5 as my third girlie gave birth. They still go barmy when I walk past them, but everytime they hear the sound of my slippers its FOOOOOD TIME to them.lol. Id gently pick them up if you can catch them and give them short bursts of cuddles. But wash your hands before, if they smell food on your hands then your hands are food.lol.
Enjoy them, they are just the most adorable little creatures, and I love mine dearly.
 
I've had my piggies since January and they were exactly the same. They took a good month to come out their shells. I would **** hold off handling til the weekend. Something that really helped was hand feeding them green beans as they were longer so didn't need to get so close to me.

One of mine still isn't a lap cuddle piggy but the other loves snuggling. Try a towel or small blanket to cover with when on your lap as will make feel more secure.

Piggies always resist being picked up but I have got more confident now so no longer takes me half an hour!

Enjoy your piggies :)
 
CPHill said:
Piggies always resist being picked up but I have got more confident now so no longer takes me half an hour!
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This made me smile! Glad to find out it's not just me that's a bit nervous. I'm just worried about traumatising them, I don't want them to freak when I do try to pick them up, but I guess if I don't get on with it, we'll never make friends, LOL.

I have a feeling they're already exploring their hutch a bit more, I found Bart in the little tunnel we bought for the first time before I went to bed last night, although he shot back in his bedroom as soon as I appeared!

Thanks for your replies, I may be back with more questions!
 
I've had my younger piggy for 2 months now, and he still dashes away when I get closer to the cage. He now only starts wheeking at me for veggies, so it will take time.
My older piggy follows me when its floortime, wheeking for veggies, and will always come to my hads to see what I have.
He still tries to run away when he realizes I am going to pick him up, although he loves cuddles.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum!

It takes time. The best way to lure them is food and rituals - using the same word with the same melody for whatever you do. Many piggies will always to a little token runner, just from instinct, even if it is just a for a few steps.

You can cut one small end of a padded shoe box and place some little treat at the other end. Use this as a "pick up shuttle" for cuddles once your piggies are comfy and relaxed with the shoe box (I let them have at least one nap in there, so they have only good associations before I move the box). That way, you do not have to hunt them down and freal them out. Tight spaces seem to relax guinea pigs.

For my very nervous Llewelyn, I have used an upturned pigloo for the same purpose:


Here are more tips for settling guinea pigs (from our reference section):
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36239
 
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I've had my boys for over 2 years and they still don't like being picked up! They are really funny, they don't run away if I go over to the cage as they hope I have food but if new people come in the house they hide under the shelter! They're so anti-social with other people!

One suggestion I have is getting them cuddle cups or crash pads, these are beds made of fleece (someone on here is selling them at the mo but can't remember who) you can shoo the pigs into them and then pick the whole thing up. Much less stress for everyone :)

Good luck, enjoy them and welcome to the forum :)p
 
Thanks for the great tips everyone, I like the sound of picking them up in something, might give that a try :).
 
Hello Nicky,

A big warm welcome to the forum! Congratulations on your new (fluffy) family members. I also have two boars, called...Harvey and Artie!

Depending on their personalities it can take some pigs either a week to become tame or some months (Ive had my boys for eight months now and its only recently that Artie allows me to pick him up). It sounds like your making progress already, if you can i'd really suggest spending time with them (not picking them up just sitting beside them) whilst your reading/washing/watching telly etc. so they become used to your voice and smell.

It might be an idea to have some veggies at hand to coax them out of their hidey, as well cuddle cups/cosies/snuggle sacks/ or blankies work well when handling them:)

Over the next few weeks they'll eventually become braver and bolder it just takes time and patience.

Good luck, and i cant wait for pigtures of your boys

Laura x
 
AudioHeart said:
Congratulations on your new (fluffy) family members. I also have two boars, called...Harvey and Artie!

............

Good luck, and i cant wait for pigtures of your boys

Laura x
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Another Harvey, how fab! My friend has a cute Westie dog called Harvey, so my 6 year old son decided that's what he wanted to call his piggy :). And the other, Bart, well, that's after Bart Simpson, courtesy of my 9 year old boy! :))

As for photos, I would love to take some piccies, but until they decide to come out of hiding, there's not much chance! Bless them.

I didn't realise how excited I'd be to have guinea pigs, they've only been with us for 4 days and I'm obsessed already :). And as for my previously-indifferent husband, well he's now started talking about having some kind of run for them in our living room so they can keep us company in the evenings (they have a hutch in the utility room), I'm astounded!
 
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