Lap Time Questions

[Chukkin]

I am introducing my two girls to lap time and have been looking around for the best ways to do this but I am finding contradicting information and now I feel lost as to the best way to proceed...
1. I have two sows - should they have separate lap time? I have information saying that they'll be happier together, and other info saying they should be separate and out of earshot of the cage as one will be stressed hearing the other one but not being able to get to them. I am leaning more towards separate lap times - I tried again this evening with them both together and they just don't settle - one will wriggle and make the other one squeak...
2. I use a cozy or tunnel to pick them up in, and both are ok with this, but once on my lap, should I take the cozy/tunnel away? So far, I have just left them inside it, but no amount of treats left just outside the cozy will tempt them to leave it...

Any tips from all those experts out there?

 

[Jerrybelly]

I think it's a very personal decision and each group of piggies is different. My Frankie and Marley are happiest together and fret terribly when they're apart so they sit on my lap together. My Jerry will happily sit on his own, as would his cagemate Benny.

They sit in their cozys on my lap.

 

[Maddykins]

Is there anyone else that could hold one on their lap whilst you have one? My and my partner have on on each lap at a time so they can see and hear each other. They seem to settle a bit better like this than when he's not in and I take them out of the cage one by one as the one that's left in the cage gets a bit distressed hearing the other one squeaking but being a bit further away.

 

[Nicola_]

I think it's very dependent on your piggies and on what you can manage. I think my boys prefer to be together but I find it very difficult to get them both out the cage at the same time unless I have someone to hold one while I get the other; I am working on ways to get them both at the same time though. Neither get too upset or wriggly without the other but I just get a sense that they are more content when together as they like to snuggle in together

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

I would do one-to-one lap time, and then at the end a little together lap time. My girls enjoy being on their own, but will wheek to high heaven when together!

 

[Chukkin]

I have taken to having separate lap-times only because, living alone, I can only manage to take one out at a time! They seem to be starting to settle more during cuddle time, which is lovely. Hopefully this is the start of a brilliant relationship

 

[VickiA]

You just have to go with what works for you and your piggies. There is no right and no wrong way to do this. The aim is just happy pigs and therefore happy owners. Enjoy them