My Pigs Are Still Nervous....

Lemmy

Lemmy

Junior Guinea Pig
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I have had the boys for about 10 weeks now, I hand feed them their fresh veg every day and they come racing over when the nuggets are refilled, they go completely bonkers when the hay bag comes out, pinging everywhere!

But they dont like being stroked in the cage (c&c open lid) and are not keen being picked up. They will eat fresh treats when on my knee, is this a good sign? They just dont appear particularly happy when out of the cage. They look scared. Ive been building up the 'out' time gradually and they sit on my knee under a blanket but there doesnt feel like there has been any progress.

I look at photos of friends older pigs all cuddly and I just cant imagine my boys getting to that point
 
Lemmy said:
I have had the boys for about 10 weeks now, I hand feed them their fresh veg every day and they come racing over when the nuggets are refilled, they go completely bonkers when the hay bag comes out, pinging everywhere!

But they dont like being stroked in the cage (c&c open lid) and are not keen being picked up. They will eat fresh treats when on my knee, is this a good sign? They just dont appear particularly happy when out of the cage. They look scared. Ive been building up the 'out' time gradually and they sit on my knee under a blanket but there doesnt feel like there has been any progress.

I look at photos of friends older pigs all cuddly and I just cant imagine my boys getting to that point
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

It is perfectly normal behaviour. Please accept that guinea pigs are prey animals and NOT natural cuddlers. In fact, most piggies would rather not if you left the choice to them! It is the people that share cuddling pictures, not the piggies, you know... And it is a myth that is unfortunately perpetuated through pictures shared on social media.

This guide here will explain why and also help you to use a spot of piggy whispering to make better friends with them in their body language. Your boys trust you, just give it time.
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
 
I was hoping for cuddly guinea pigs but they were not keen. After almost five months Jingle will sit patiently on my lap eating yummies while I stroke her. She still tooth chatters at me when I try to pick her up though.

Mistletoe loathes being held and just sits waiting to be put back in their cage, not eating except on very rare occasions.

They used to have lap time with hidies so it is progress. Keep at it. It takes time and patience and you will be able to see whether they are agreeable to it or not.
 
I have had my piggies 10 months and they still wont let me stroke them in their cage and will only tolerate 10-15 min lap time. They are quite friendly though and will interact with me during spot cleaning and when I sit with them they come up to the cage bars for a nose rub, that's only been happening recently so I think they finally might be coming out of their shell a bit more.
 
I've had my piggies almost two years. Prim came around to being touched after a year or so, but Hazel has only just recently decided I'm permitted to stroke her head (and she still detests being picked up). :doh:
 
After a year with us Oreo still doesn't enjoy any form of stroking or lap time, although she does tolerate it from my DD occasionally.
Lucy is an absolute snuggler and will happily flop on anyone, although she isn't keen on being caught.
Eddi is pretty laid back - easy to catch, and will snuggle (on his terms) for a while. He prefers DD2, but tolerates the rest of us.
Ruby hates and bites everyone except DD1, and for her she will stand at the front of the cage waiting to be picked up. She loves being held (but only by DD1) for periods of well over an hour, and will complain if DD1 tries to put her back sooner.

So I guess what I am saying is that not all piggies like to be held, even those that have lived with you for a while, and had a perfect start in life (like all of ours).
 
So having to take care one and being able to pet it is a test of patience.
 
Had mine 2 mo and they still run at my slightest movement..smudge has,finally got up the nerve to come to the side of the cage and take food as well as he will walk into my hand a bit but runs if I try to pickup or touch him and he will lick my fingers ..spike my other male who I've had longer won't even take food from me he stares at me a wheeks..or runs away but I'm fine with it they getting to trust,me more but mostly associate me as the person that cleans,our cage and brings us yummies
 
I think that piggies accepting vegetables from you, running up to take things from your lap and not cowering in fear from you are the opposite of nervous piggies! When I got piggies I got in a fluster because I believed they were "cuddly" pets as I'd heard that they enjoyed lap-time and being held etc., but I found that to be quite wrong when I got my two and unfortunately thought I was doing something wrong to warrant this. Not the case at all! It's their natural instinct to flee from anything "grabbing" them, and when being touched I think this also simulates this experience - I try to go from the side or front if I can when stroking. My Lemmy will allow me to stroke him and comes up to me to nibble my fingers, but hates being picked up and will bite when I do - so I avoid doing this unless necessary for health checks. I find that using a tea towel makes it easier to get hold of wriggly/bitey/fleeing piggies when you need to pick them up. Django, however, likes to cuddle up but flinches away when stroked and runs for the hills when you try to pick him up. I think that it's best to remember that piggies have their own unique personalities and the best way to earn their trust is to respect their individual likes/dislikes and don't force them to get used to something they don't like.
 
You'll get there! My older girls are almost 2 now and will allow being stroked in the cage, Bella will pretty much just let me pick her up after some strokes and Cissy will occasionally (normal after a nap XD).

Drommy who I've had for a year is starting to come round to being stroked in cage (but beware the teeth and bring food) and her sister Tonks is still petrified if you try to touch her in the cage but is a cuddle monkey when you've got her.

They all go at their own speed and have their own personalities and likes/dislikes but in the end I think you find a compromise with your individual pig once you know each other better :)
 
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