New Guinea Pig Owner With Issues

[PamelaSG]

Hi,
I just got two boars a week ago. One was 5 weeks old and the other was 4 weeks old. I knew it was going to take time for them to adjust to their new environment, but I didn't realize that by them being babies, it would be harder to get them comfortable.

I have two boys (ages 11 and 8) who always beg to hold them. I put it off for a few days, but then I let them start holding them in their cuddle sacks once a day. However, now the piggies seem even more afraid. We have tried hand feeding them, but they will not eat anything unless we are out of sight. They barely come out of hiding (even when no one is in the room).
My questions are...
1. I know that babies are not used to being handled so do we still try holding them daily to get them used to it or should we give them a break?
2. I have read never to take them from their hidey places, but I have also read that usually people have to do this and it's ok. If I could never take them out of their hidey places, I would never get them.
3. They are not really eating their hay, mainly just pellets. How do I get them to eat their hay? One of them is also refusing to eat his vitamin c tablet.

Thanks,
Pamela

 

[Toffee321]

If I were you I wouldn't let your kids hold them yet but let them get used to being held by you.
Try giving them cucumber and carrots and things like that. Then when they are comfortable having cuddles with you let your kids hold them very gently being very quiet. Try just leaving the hay there and dont worry for the time being.
It took my guineas a little while to get settled too.
If you are still having trouble reply back. x

 

[Toffee321]

Also my guinea pigs are settled and really comfy in their home but still barely come out.
Have you tried them with spinach, kale and lettuce.
I know people say dont give it to them because of diarea but try a little.
Mine are fine with it.

 

[VickiA]

Hello and welcome to the forum. What you are describing is perfectly normal. Piggies are prey animals and by nature are afraid of humans (as well as many other things). It does take time and patience to help them to become acclimatised to you. Here is a link to our starter kit for new owners. New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit Please take time to read the links. They will help you to understand their behaviour, their reaction to you and what you can do to help. Time, patience, kindness and calmness are vital to settling new piggies. I would go back to the beginning if I were you, get your piggies used to their new home, then start offering them just a few veggies by hand in their cage so that they are used to you before letting your children start handling the piggies.

 

[sport_billy]

Hello, welcome to the forum to you and your piggies.

Try not to worry this is normal behaviour. Baby piggies are very skittish and with piggies being prey animals they can take a little while to gain their trust. Things like picking them up goes against all their survival instincts so it can take a while to get them used to lap-times etc... When we got our first piggies (in our avatar) they never came out we set a video camera up to see if they ever came out - so I know where you are coming from. We ended up building a wonderful bond with them over time though

I will try and answer your questions first and help with a few other things

1. I know that babies are not used to being handled so do we still try holding them daily to get them used to it or should we give them a break? Answered below
2. I have read never to take them from their hidey places, but I have also read that usually people have to do this and it's ok. If I could never take them out of their hidey places, I would never get them. We normally have to chase them around lol piggies will run off to avoid been caught, in my reply below I do advise waiting a while before starting lap time
3. They are not really eating their hay, mainly just pellets. How do I get them to eat their hay? One of them is also refusing to eat his vitamin c tablet.
No need to feed Vit C tablets as they should be getting all the vit C they need through their veg. Bell peppers (de seeded) are an excellent source of vit c and piggies tend to love red and yellow ones. What hay are you using?

I would let them settle in the cage a little more before attempting lap-times, I know it's tempting to dive straight in but getting them used to you in and around the cage is an excellent way to gain a bond.It may be worth offering food to your piggies while they are in their cage and hopefully after time they will take it off you. Do this first of all by putting it in their hidey houses for them so they can eat and feel safe - Food is the best way to bribe, use food when you get round to lap times also.
Start lap time for a short amount of time at first and build up.
We started off we lap-times for 1 minute with new piggies then pop them back, slowly increasing the time over the forthcoming weeks. They will soon associate you with food and good things but at first it takes a while to gain their trust. To collect them use a cosy or a conveyance like in video below

Have a read of this thread for some helpful tips How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

Could I ask you to update your profile with your location also as it helps us tailor any advice if needed to your location

Welcome to the forum

Lee