New female guinea pig is having trouble with getting used to people

[ossthebug]

Hello everyone! I am new around here but thought it would be a good place to ask for some advice . I have recently got two new female guinea pigs (7 weeks old) who we have had for a week now. One of them is pretty much tame now (will eat from your hand, happy with being picked up etc) but the other one is very, and I mean very scared of people, and any noises at all. Even the slightest rustle will scare her. They were left for two days before we handled them. As she won't eat around people, I cannot use food to help tame her. Does anyone have any advice? I'm so sorry if this post makes no sense haha.
Many thanks,
Guineapiglover101

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

We’ve all been there haha! Congrats on becoming a piggy parent

It’s a very slow process bonding with young pigs, have you tried the towel over half the cage trick? All I can really suggest is if you do that and then just sit by the cage and speak softly in a low hushed tone that really helps. She’ll feel safe under cover and hopefully day by day she’ll be a little braver I always announce myself softly when coming near so they know it’s you, also getting them used to your scent and all that jazz too.

There are some fabulous tips on bonding with shy guinea pigs that are sticky threads, I can’t seem to link them unfortunately but it’s in the bonding section

 

[jayne]

Try cucumber ! Always get them

 

[ossthebug]

Thanks so much for your speedy reply! I will definitely try this

 

[DMS260820]

Hello everyone! I am new around here but thought it would be a good place to ask for some advice . I have recently got two new female guinea pigs (7 weeks old) who we have had for a week now. One of them is pretty much tame now (will eat from your hand, happy with being picked up etc) but the other one is very, and I mean very scared of people, and any noises at all. Even the slightest rustle will scare her. They were left for two days before we handled them. As she won't eat around people, I cannot use food to help tame her. Does anyone have any advice? I'm so sorry if this post makes no sense haha.
Many thanks,
Guineapiglover101

Some guinea pigs are just more scared and less confident than others, it might take time but they will get to know the fact that that they are not prey and you are actually providing for them.

I dont believe in putting blankets over the cage or anything ( some people do this, not a bad thing)just live how you live. They get to know routine, smells and sounds

 

[ossthebug]

Okay thanks for this advice! I do have to put blankets in the cage as it gets very cold where I live, but I do have hay so they can burrow in! I will try a routine as I had no idea that was good for guinea pigs! You can learn something new every day though

 

[DMS260820]

Okay thanks for this advice! I do have to put blankets in the cage as it gets very cold where I live, but I do have hay so they can burrow in! I will try a routine as I had no idea that was good for guinea pigs! You can learn something new every day though

I'm not saying dont try covering half the cage with a blanket for the scared girl, but i never have and all my pigs have become confident . I'm just thinking, when you stop doing it, what happens then

 

[ossthebug]

Yes I do wonder that! The hay is great though, my piggies love burrowing in it so if you make it deep enough it might be a good transition phase but idk

 

[Caris]

I used a blanket for the first week or so, and just brought it up bit by bit (first one side, then two, then three, then the final side, and then off completely), and it really helped with my two. They got a chance to get used to the smells and noises while basically being in a big hide, and so didn't have to deal with too much at once.

Another thing I've found that works with my guys (I've had them for a month) is spending some time each day just talking to them. Now they're happy to get on with whatever they're doing while the crazy creature chatters away. Also, and it probably sounds weird (!), I use the poo picking time to get them used to me. I take everything out of the cage but leave them in (with some food), and just chat and let them do what they want. If they want to approach me, they can, so they don't associate me opening their cage as me coming to pick them up and take them out. They now initiate contact with me (one loves climbing into the dustpan), let me stroke them, come to me for food, and just generally follow my hand around the cage. One of mine was initially very skittish and almost impossible to pick up, but now he's so easy to catch.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

When they become more used to you then you don’t need to use a blanket over the cage. I’ve always done half a cage for new pigs and gradually moved it as they settled in. As they are prey animals it’s beneficial to them to have extra cover so they don’t feel exposed. For example when approaching the cage and your shadow falls over them they will automatically assume it’s a predator. Speaking softly when approaching helps that as well. It also means they can feel more comfortable doing things like eating and sleeping with you around them, therefore associating more positive things with your presence til you become part of the furniture! And more importantly, not a threat!

Even now I still can’t use the feather duster on my ceiling with the pigs in the room as they assume it’s an aerial predator coming to take them away

 

[ossthebug]

I used a blanket for the first week or so, and just brought it up bit by bit (first one side, then two, then three, then the final side, and then off completely), and it really helped with my two. They got a chance to get used to the smells and noises while basically being in a big hide, and so didn't have to deal with too much at once.

Another thing I've found that works with my guys (I've had them for a month) is spending some time each day just talking to them. Now they're happy to get on with whatever they're doing while the crazy creature chatters away. Also, and it probably sounds weird (!), I use the poo picking time to get them used to me. I take everything out of the cage but leave them in (with some food), and just chat and let them do what they want. If they want to approach me, they can, so they don't associate me opening their cage as me coming to pick them up and take them out. They now initiate contact with me (one loves climbing into the dustpan), let me stroke them, come to me for food, and just generally follow my hand around the cage. One of mine was initially very skittish and almost impossible to pick up, but now he's so easy to catch.

This is a really good idea! I wouldn't be able to do the poo picking one as my hutch is pretty high off of the ground, and outside (there are lots of cats on my street) so I don't want them to jump out/get injured. Also one of the cats on my street isn't scared of anything so would probably just come past me haha. I do put them in a cardboard tray with towels to burrow in and I just chat to them though. If this makes any sense, I also have a senior male guinea pig who they find very relaxed next to, they just can't be put directly together as he hasn't been neutered yet. This isnt really relevant but it might be helpful?