One week in

Rosie&Willow

Rosie&Willow

New Born Pup
Joined
Jun 22, 2022
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Middlesbrough
Hi guys I’ve had my piggies for a week now and love them so much. They’re still very scared of us and I was hoping they would be coming round a bit more by now. They come out for food when I’m pottering around but they live in my kitchen and seem scared of every noise. My kids are constantly asking to pick them up but every time I try they’re just too scared so I can’t. When do guineas become less anxious? How can I help them to become less scared?
 
A week, in terms of them settling, is no time at all. All piggies are different, but you are most likely looking at many weeks to potentially months before they stop being scared of most things, but do remember as prey animals, their default is fear so they may always run at some things. They’ve got a lot of new sounds to get used to! One of mine settled and stopped running away and started taking food from me after six weeks, the other took 18 months before he felt secure enough.

This guide can help you settle them but patience is key with piggies
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

Dont try to pick them up though, rather, herd them into a carrier - again though, this may not necessarily be easy after just a week, but given they need their first weight checks, then it is something you do need to try to do
 
Piggies&buns said:
A week, in terms of them settling, is no time at all. All piggies are different, but you are most likely looking at many weeks to potentially months before they stop being scared of most things, but do remember as prey animals, their default is fear so they may always run at some things. They’ve got a lot of new sounds to get used to! One of mine settled and stopped running away and started taking food from me after six weeks, the other took 18 months before he felt secure enough.

This guide can help you settle them but patience is key with piggies
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

Dont try to pick them up though, rather, herd them into a carrier - again though, this may not necessarily be easy after just a week, but given they need their first weight checks, then it is something you do need to try to do
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I've had mine for 7 months since they were babies and would probably say only recently have they really come out of their shell piggies take a long time to trust but it's worth it in the end. Lots of cuddles, petting time and little treats will help them become friendly x
 
Jfawbs said:
I've had mine for 7 months since they were babies and would probably say only recently have they really come out of their shell piggies take a long time to trust but it's worth it in the end. Lots of cuddles, petting time and little treats will help them become friendly x
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I disagree.
Some piggies will be ok with cuddles and petting, and some will never like it, no matter how much you try.
Giving them lots of cuddles doesn't mean they enjoy it.

I think it is important to respect each pigs personal preference.
I have had super cuddly pigs (Lucy), super chill pigs who are ok with all manner of petting and handling (Eddi), piggies who bite the bars demanding attention, but only allow one person to actually touch them (Ruby) and pigs who lived here for years and still ran away every time they thought they were going to be picked up and handled (Harry and Oreo).

I think guinea pigs (and rabbits) are often portrayed as cuddly, snuggly pets, but the reality is that a good percentage of them will never choose to be handled, and whilst many will tolerate it, I don't think they always love it.
 
Time and patience are needed as the piggies learn to trust you.
It took Phoebe several months to stop running away when I came near.
She hated being picked up and held with a passion, but came to enjoy being stroked in the cage.
None of mine really like being held, but are ok with petting in the cage.
 
Comet hated the being picked up part, but he was very good at being handled. He was a very sociable boy though, loved to say hello, would fall asleep on you quite happily. Blitzen would let you pick him up then immediately demand to be put back down - he didn't bite but he'd tug at your clothes, hard. "PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN PUT ME DOWN."

Bann and Camowen don't like my cold hands 🤷‍♂️ can't do nout bout that, though. They're good at being handled otherwise, but like Comet, don't like being picked up. And Camowen does have a tendency to nip.
 
Sitting by the cage and letting them get to know your presence, sent and voice is great to start with. And when they trust you enough, you may be able to hand feed them. Eating from your hand is a big step though, and might take them a while. Different individual guinea pigs have different personalities and some may gain trust quicker than others.
I've read it can also vary depending on breed. An American shorthair will tend to trust quicker than a Rex guinea pig. But I can't prove this, it's just what I've read.
I seem to have lucked out with my piggy, Zorro, who trusted me enough to eat from my hand merely a few days after we bought him. 😊
When they start eating from your hand, I think it's safe to start patting them.
I hope they're starting to settle in, and good luck with the bonding!
 
Swissgreys said:
I disagree.
Some piggies will be ok with cuddles and petting, and some will never like it, no matter how much you try.
Giving them lots of cuddles doesn't mean they enjoy it.

I think it is important to respect each pigs personal preference.
I have had super cuddly pigs (Lucy), super chill pigs who are ok with all manner of petting and handling (Eddi), piggies who bite the bars demanding attention, but only allow one person to actually touch them (Ruby) and pigs who lived here for years and still ran away every time they thought they were going to be picked up and handled (Harry and Oreo).

I think guinea pigs (and rabbits) are often portrayed as cuddly, snuggly pets, but the reality is that a good percentage of them will never choose to be handled, and whilst many will tolerate it, I don't think they always love it.
Click to expand...
I was sharing my own experiences to help her. Whilst I note some piggies will never like cuddles in general the more interactive and attentive you are to your pugs the more they will come out of their shell 😝
 
It can take months for them to really get comfortable.

Some piggies are more cuddly than others. It depends on the individual pigs, they all have different preferences & personalities! :)

Sit by the cage, talk to them, engage with them best you can! They are prey animals, so loud noises, sudden movements/motions, they don't really like too much.
Some pigs, they run when you go to pick them up, but once you do, they are such cuddlebugs & don't actually mind being held/cuddled. All depends! :)
 
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