Hi, this is my first post, i'm just needing some guidence really. My new guinea pigs have been with me a week tomorrow, Gizmo and Mooch. They are very timid, and scurry out of sight whenever i enter the room. Ive managed to feed them out of my hand a little today with cucumber, and then i managed to slowly stroke their heads and treated them to cucumber after, am i doing the right thing, and how and when would you recommend me getting them out of the cage. thanks
is this right
- Thread starter winterberry
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Hello, Welcome to the forum.
Guinea pigs are prey animals naturally, so are quite timid to begin with.
Wiebke has a sticky thread here - http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36239 that may give you some useful pointers.
Its a great sign that they have ate out of your hand and shows that they are trusting you. Food bribery is always a good way of gaining trust with them. It is worth talking gently to them so they get used to the sound of your voice.
I would certainly take them out of the cage for some quiet laptime time after a week, maybe for a short time to begin with, make sure you have some nice food on hand.
They may be unused to be picked up and will run like mad to escape, one of our girls was very skitish at been picked up so we herd her into a tube http://www.homepetshop.com/p-critters_choice_chube_giant-13550 and then pop her onto our lap out of it.
How old are they? Do you have any pictures?
Guinea pigs are prey animals naturally, so are quite timid to begin with.
Wiebke has a sticky thread here - http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36239 that may give you some useful pointers.
Its a great sign that they have ate out of your hand and shows that they are trusting you. Food bribery is always a good way of gaining trust with them. It is worth talking gently to them so they get used to the sound of your voice.
I would certainly take them out of the cage for some quiet laptime time after a week, maybe for a short time to begin with, make sure you have some nice food on hand.
They may be unused to be picked up and will run like mad to escape, one of our girls was very skitish at been picked up so we herd her into a tube http://www.homepetshop.com/p-critters_choice_chube_giant-13550 and then pop her onto our lap out of it.
How old are they? Do you have any pictures?
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piggyfan
That all sounds perfect to me. You can get them out of your cage now. They will run away and struggle but they will get used to it. You may like to have a blanket on your lap so they can hide under it. It will make them feel safer. 
NatalieMT
Teenage Guinea Pig
Sounds like you are doing great! I'd continue to give them treats when you approach their cage as you are teaching them that they are rewarded when they come to you and that you aren't someone to be 'frightened' of.
I think you are good to start picking them up and handling them more any time really. When picking them up try not to make too many sudden movements, it's sort of inevitable that they will run away from you initially but attempt to minimise stress. My piggies still dash away from me sometimes, some of them I've had for 7 years, it's sort of just natural instict. Make sure when you catch and pick them up you then hold them so you are supporting them well. One hand under the tummy and one hand under the bum usually works well, then put to your chest so they feel secure and support bum and back. Then I'd sit down and place them on your lap maybe on a towel or fleece and just gently stroke them like you have been doing and feed them veggies.
Doing that maybe once a day, increasing to twice a day will bring them round but be patient with it. Some piggies take longer than others to become particularly tame! I recently got two new little piggies, one of them is becoming really friendly quite quickly but the other is still very wriggly! It just takes time!
I think you are good to start picking them up and handling them more any time really. When picking them up try not to make too many sudden movements, it's sort of inevitable that they will run away from you initially but attempt to minimise stress. My piggies still dash away from me sometimes, some of them I've had for 7 years, it's sort of just natural instict. Make sure when you catch and pick them up you then hold them so you are supporting them well. One hand under the tummy and one hand under the bum usually works well, then put to your chest so they feel secure and support bum and back. Then I'd sit down and place them on your lap maybe on a towel or fleece and just gently stroke them like you have been doing and feed them veggies.
Doing that maybe once a day, increasing to twice a day will bring them round but be patient with it. Some piggies take longer than others to become particularly tame! I recently got two new little piggies, one of them is becoming really friendly quite quickly but the other is still very wriggly! It just takes time!
thank you
Thank you for your replys, fab advice, i will have a little hold of them tomorrow and report back on my success. My two sows, ive bn told by the rescue centre they are 4mths, and i will post pics when i find away
Thank you for your replys, fab advice, i will have a little hold of them tomorrow and report back on my success. My two sows, ive bn told by the rescue centre they are 4mths, and i will post pics when i find away
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piggyfan
Join photobucket which is free and upload your pictures on there. That is how you can get them on here.
Yeah what your doing sounds right definitely. It will be ok to get them out the cage now just slip your hands under their bellies and very gently lift them up hold them against your chest or on your lap.
up date
Well ive had the Guinea's out, and me and my son have had a lovely short cuddle on our laps and a tickle under the chins. They didn't move much, and their heads were low most of the time, but we kept them very still and slightly covered up, they both had a little nibble on cucumber so i'm pleased about that, i think i'm going in the right direction with them
Well ive had the Guinea's out, and me and my son have had a lovely short cuddle on our laps and a tickle under the chins. They didn't move much, and their heads were low most of the time, but we kept them very still and slightly covered up, they both had a little nibble on cucumber so i'm pleased about that, i think i'm going in the right direction with them
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piggyfan
That is good to hear. They are slowly getting used to you.
TAN
Adult Guinea Pig
Its the little things....
You will be fine,just dont forget if you are holding piggy to hold a little tighter if you are going to sneeze - I didnt think about this the other day,sneezed and he jumped out of my grasp and shot across the setee - did the same when I sniffed - (but then he is a baby & had probably never heard a sniff before)
Dont forget guinea pigs can catch a cold from humans and can also catch conjunctivitis ,:pas well vice versa - thats something I never knew until I got mine.
You will be fine,just dont forget if you are holding piggy to hold a little tighter if you are going to sneeze - I didnt think about this the other day,sneezed and he jumped out of my grasp and shot across the setee - did the same when I sniffed - (but then he is a baby & had probably never heard a sniff before)
Dont forget guinea pigs can catch a cold from humans and can also catch conjunctivitis ,:pas well vice versa - thats something I never knew until I got mine.
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