Piggies don't seem to enjoy my company?

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Amylittlehands

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Hey everyone,
I've had two sows for about three weeks now they're around 2-4months, they're lovely little girls who popcorn whenever I give them their daily fresh hay and pellets. However it's starting to upset me that they hate floor time with me and my company.

Edd has bonded more with my other half, she's the more energetic one too so she sort of "plays with him" (Not sure how to word it but she's interested in him) and mooches around. However, Hermione doesn't seem to like me. I'm very gentle with her and handle her for about 15-30mins a day so she gets used to me, she's happy to receive her daily veg from my hand but that's about it. She tends to nip at me as well, I don't think she's ill as she seems normal eating and drinking and runs away when trying to pick her up (Good sign of health?) but she doesn't like her belly being touched. I think she may be pregnant but no tell-tale signs, no kicks or anything.

Anyway, has anyone else felt disheartened like this? Should I keep perusing in handling time? Any tips to get her to feel comfortable with me? 8...
 
Try picking her up in a carrier like a snuggle sack so that you don't have to chase her around to get her. Also try a lap blanket to sit her on you with a bit of her fave veg and some gentle strokes. A lot of piggies don't like to be handled but enjoy stroking and sitting with you. Dont give up trying, and keep it regular otherwise she won't progress. :)
 
When i got my piggies i thought they hated me.

Chester would try to escape from his run and hide in hedges where we nearly lost him several times. He would be generally horrible nipping etc. And they would hide during floor time and be completely still when we cuddled them as if if they didn't like it.
Now Chester is my boy, he's known as mummy's boy because he won't leave me, if i sit with him and put him at the end of the bed for my boyfriend to pick him up he runs back and climbs up onto my shoulder, he only sits with me nicely everyone else he fidgets with and to my happiness he won't pee on me, to the point if me and my boyfriend are sat together he walks off me onto him, pee's and then comes back to cuddle his mummy.

To be honest i don't know how it happened. One day i was to the point of regretting having him and crying because i felt i was a terrible piggie mum and then the next few days he just seemed to gain trust it was very strange. The only thing i can honestly say helped was not feeding them in there cage. We would put a water proof table mat with a fleece on top on the bed and put there bowl down and sit around them while they ate, this was everyday without fail which takes time but it's something i can say did make a difference you don't have to sit and watch but even if you have your laptop out and there just with you they associate you with food and thats the way to a piggies heart !
Also cuddling using a blanket wrapping them up so they feel safe makes them all sleepy and adorable which is a great sign of trust.

With the whole touching thing, some piggies just don't like there belly's or backs touched. I know someone who can't really stroke there guinea pigs because they rumble or freak out when she does. It's just something some piggies don't like although i think in some cases they can get over it to some extent.
 
We've had our two nearly a year now and it take a while for them to come round when they were little they used to nip us sometime as well but they don't now so it could just be because they are young maybe? Ours definitely like sitting on our laps with a towel or their snuggle sac's as I agree that it makes them feel more safe and they always have a piece of cucumber of something to nibble on so they realise it's a good place to be. Fudge is still a little bit more tame than Truffle and will sit in her cage and you can stroke her like a cat but Truffle you can only tickle her head and that's usually all but if we hold a piece of cucmber to them they both will sit up on their back legs like meerkats and touch our noses for it. Don't worry they will definitely come round just give it time and they'll soon realise your the one that feeds them! xx
 
You guys have really helped! Funny thing is that I do all what you say apart from snuggle cup, I try to pick her up with my hands. I take them out everyday and have a fresh batch of veggies along with lap time, we usually use a towel but might make a lap pad. She does purr when I stroke her but it's just hard to explain, doesn't feel like there's a connection yet. I most definetly won't give up, I think it's just difficult because I had a bond with my cat as soon as I got him as a kitten. I thought this'd be the case with having two young pigs.

I'll try one of the suggestions about no food in the cage (Apart from hay obviously) for a little while and bring them out with their bowl etc ... until they're more accustomed to me.

I felt really horrible this morning and was in tears because they deserve better and I thought I wasn't doing enough.

Thanks everyone! I'll keep you updated.
:rose:)px>>
 
Amylittlehands said:
You guys have really helped! Funny thing is that I do all what you say apart from snuggle cup, I try to pick her up with my hands. I take them out everyday and have a fresh batch of veggies along with lap time, we usually use a towel but might make a lap pad. She does purr when I stroke her but it's just hard to explain, doesn't feel like there's a connection yet. I most definetly won't give up, I think it's just difficult because I had a bond with my cat as soon as I got him as a kitten. I thought this'd be the case with having two young pigs.

I'll try one of the suggestions about no food in the cage (Apart from hay obviously) for a little while and bring them out with their bowl etc ... until they're more accustomed to me.

I felt really horrible this morning and was in tears because they deserve better and I thought I wasn't doing enough.

Thanks everyone! I'll keep you updated.
:rose:)px>>
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Please don't feel that way. Yes guinea pigs need interaction but the most important thing is that they're healthy and happy, and if she's popcorning and talking to her friend then you've done something right :)) Some piggies have been known to take up to a year to truly become used to handling so it's nothing you're doing wrong, in fact you're doing a darn site better than some people I've met! In relation to the lap blankets, I'd point you towards Cosy Cavies. They have a waterproof blanket that also has a cave attached to it so that she could hide if she feels the need to & they do snuggle cups too :)
Also, nipping is normal as they need to do this to find out what's edible and what's not :)
 
awwwwww BIG HUGS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

don't worry love, patience and lots of it!
It took me a long time to get my girls to sit and let me stroke them in their house, they used to run away!
It's just their nature..........
Keep up with the little nibbles in your hands, it's also fun for them if you sit on the ground and let them explore you :(|) they love it if you drape a towel or blankie over your knees, have your knees raised up.....great little tunnel!
 
Your doing really well. 3 weeks isnt long to have them, and it all takes time. Piggies being a prey species are always very shy to start with. And even many of mine still run a mile at their own shadow to be honest. So just persevere and they will come out there shell with time.

x.
 
Huge breakthrough today. After giving Hermione her meds and veg we had a little nap together, she had her eyes closed and looked very relaxed while I was stroking her. We had a little snooze, was very heart warming!

I'm going to get my other half to do it with Edd to!
 
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