My Guinea Pig Hates Me Cuddling Him.. Day 3

[Angela99]

Hi. I've just adopted 2 sweet guinea pigs ...10 days ago. I 've held only one of them 3 times. I feed him wheat grass and he LOVES it... but he really wrestles to get away after and he bites at the fleece blanket. I cover my hands. I heard that holding them daily helps you bond ... it's maybe lasting 3-5 minutes Max. Should I continue? Releasing him when he starts to wrestle each time? I really want to connect with them and I know it's scary for them but how else will they learn love from me? I hear some people just don't hold them but I want to bond this way. They are fine with me aside from this. And it's only 10

 

[Wiebke]

Hi. I've just adopted 2 sweet guinea pigs ...10 days ago. I 've held only one of them 3 times. I feed him wheat grass and he LOVES it... but he really wrestles to get away after and he bites at the fleece blanket. I cover my hands. I heard that holding them daily helps you bond ... it's maybe lasting 3-5 minutes Max. Should I continue? Releasing him when he starts to wrestle each time? I really want to connect with them and I know it's scary for them but how else will they learn love from me? I hear some people just don't hold them but I want to bond this way. They are fine with me aside from this. And it's only 10

Hi and welcome!

Sadly far too many people are not aware that what they are buying from a shop is a prey animal that has hardly had any friendly human interaction, has been ripped from their family and been thrust into an entirely foreign and frightening world full of huge predators to be expected to function as an instant cuddly pet. It just doesn't work, and it is not going to change in a matter of days. Trust is a slow and very fragile plant that needs time to take root and to grow.

But if you take that time, if you are prepared to see things from the guinea pig perspective, learn to understand what makes them tick and avoid behaving like a predator, then you will get there more quickly. You also need to accept that by far not all guinea pigs love cuddling; that is a myth that is perpetuated by all those videos from people showing off...

Please take the time to read these guides here. You will find them very helpful. We have collected all the tips that actually work. Create a daily routine with rituals that your piggies can learn to anticipate so their world is not just filled with random violence.
You will also learn how guinea pig instincts work, how you can avoid triggering them and how you can use guinea pig body language to make friends with them in ways that they instinctively understand and learn about understanding their social behaviours.
It may take you longer at first, but you will get there quicker and more sustainably in the end.

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Much more helpful information for new owners via this link here: New Owners' Problem Solver And Information Collection

 

[Merab]

Great advice from @Wiebke .
Some piggies never like being cuddled.
My 2 three year olds don’t like cuddles much - they’re happy being petted in the cage and Keziah is happy to come for some petting during floor time but no cuddles.
Even elderly Merab who can’t escape so easily doesn’t like long cuddles and after a few minutes wriggles to escape.
Patience and acceptance for who they are will give you a rewarding relationship

 

[Angela99]

Thank you. They are very tame with me. Just holding will take time. I am patient