My Guinea Pigs Are Very Nervous!

[tokyoblues]

Hello :-) (sorry if i've posted this in the wrong place, i am new)

I just got three guinea pigs today, and they are very nervous and jumpy. I know they are getting used to their surroundings but even if they hear me stand up they get a fright! I know they aren't vicious or anything because I was petting them earlier. Is this normal and is there anything I can do to make them feel better?

thanks!

 

[klee]

Hello, welcome to the forum.
Yes, it is completely normal for them to be nervous. They are prey animals, so it takes a long while for them to get used to their new surroundings. Both the actual environment and the usual household noises. Do they have anywhere to hide? This will make them feel secure, it is normally recommended to have one hidey per pig so there is no arguing.
Are your pigs boys or girls? What are their names?

 

[piggyfan]

Hi welcome to the forum. Guinea pigs are prey animals and very nervous. It takes them time to adjust to a new environment. It will help if you have three hideys so they each have a place to feel safe.

Can I ask how big their cage is and the gender? If you got them from a pet shop it is likely they sold you a cage that is too small.

 

[tokyoblues]

I adopted them from a woman because she didn't have time for them any more. The cage is 1.2 metres long. And they are all girls, names are yoshi, ryo and aki. they are 8 months old.

 

[piggyfan]

Phew. I was hoping they were girls as boy trios rarely work out. The cage is too small. The best thing for you to do is make or buy a c and c cage. There are grids you connect to give any size you like. This web site will show you what they are.http://www.candcguineapigcages.co.uk

I bought my grids from eBay. I have it on the floor and did not bother with the plastic.

 

[tokyoblues]

Oh, I see. Thanks for letting me know.
We have an empty room in the house, so when I get paid I'll invest in one of those big cages ^.^

 

[piggyfan]

In the meantime they will need floor time daily to get exercise. I would wait a week though as they are very nervous. Have you thought about using fleece or vetbed as bedding? I use vetbed and mine love it.

 

[Squeaky_Ewok]

Hello! I wouldn't worry about them being nervous, my piggy is still jumpy at certain times. Only if I get up too fast and he doesn't see me coming but I've had him over a year so it depends on when you're piggies decide to trust you Just keep giving them lots of attention and they should come round! What I did was sit by their cage once a day, until they came out and sniffed my hand without veggies.