My Guinea Pig Won't Let Me Hold Her Anymore

[HME1313]

I got my guinea pig about 2 and a half months ago from a pet store. When I got her she was about 3-4 months old. From the time I first brought her home, she was a super lovey piggy. She wanted to be held a lot and liked to cuddle. She would even sleep on me for awhile before she wanted to go back to her cage. She was always happy and running around and would even popcorn.
Now, in the past 2 weeks or so I've noticed a change in her personality towards me. She's still as happy and active as she was before, but she doesn't want anything to do with me. I try to hold her and she just squirms to get away. On the occassion she doesn't run away, I can't hold her without her biting me or chewing my clothes and hair. I thought she was just hungry (because she's always had a big appetite), so I would give her her favorite treats while still holding her. She will take it from me and happily sit on me to eat, but as soon as she's done it goes back to biting and fighting me.

Around the end of December, she grew an abscess on her neck, so I took her to the vet where he put her on some antibiotics and drained it. Around the first week of January it came back, so I took her back to the vet. This time he surgically cut into the abscess and cleaned it out from the inside. He then put her on antibiotics and minor dose of steroids for 10 days. I don't know if this might be why she's suddenly so aggressive with me when before she was a sweet cuddly piggy?

Is there anything someone can suggest to help me figure this out? I love my pig and just want to make her happy, but I'm really sad that she no longer wants anything to do with me. Is there any chance I'll get my sweet girl back or should I prepare myself to be the bearer of food only? Any advice helps! Thank you!

 

[TNWApigs]

Hey! I know it might seem sad but i wouldn't take it personally. Piggy's arent naturally that physically affectionate.

There is actually a chance that she has gotten SO comfortable around you that she no longer feels shy in communicating how she feels to you/what she wants. Some pigs are shy in the beginning and keep their thoughts to themselves, especially if they are nervous/shy/scared for self preservation. Now that she knows you better she might feel comfortable enough to tell you how she really feels, and not want to be held.

I know it sounds funny and counter intuitive but ive also had experiences like that. Her not wanting to be cuddled by you might actually mean you've gotten closer.

My advice is to just respect her boundries and enjoy her company else wise. Even if they dont want to be cuddled/held pigs still like our attention! They just have their own form of expression of love.

 

[HME1313]

Hey! I know it might seem sad but i wouldn't take it personally. Piggy's arent naturally that physically affectionate.

There is actually a chance that she has gotten SO comfortable around you that she no longer feels shy in communicating how she feels to you/what she wants. Some pigs are shy in the beginning and keep their thoughts to themselves, especially if they are nervous/shy/scared for self preservation. Now that she knows you better she might feel comfortable enough to tell you how she really feels, and not want to be held.

I know it sounds funny and counter intuitive but ive also had experiences like that. Her not wanting to be cuddled by you might actually mean you've gotten closer.

My advice is to just respect her boundries and enjoy her company else wise. Even if they dont want to be cuddled/held pigs still like our attention! They just have their own form of expression of love.

Thank you! That does make me feel a little better!

 

[Piggies&buns]

It is entirely normal for guinea pigs to not like being handled. They aren’t cuddly creatures and are instead much happier with their own kind than with people.
Does she have a friend? They are highly social animals and need to be kept in pairs, particularly one as young as yours will need a friend ASAP.

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Companionship
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

Do note for the future, that guinea pigs should pigs should not be given steroids.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
You’ve had excellent advice already.
I have 3 piggies, 2 tolerate being held after screaming blue murder at being caught, the other hates being held with a passion.

It is only when they feel loved and safe that they tell us what they really like / dislike