Pigs Too Nervous To Clean Out ?

[PiggieNPooh]

hi everyone ! so basically i’ve had my pigs for 2 weeks and i’ve always had trouble cleaning them out, they hate their travel cage

 

[PiggieNPooh]

, refuse to go inside and they’re too nervous to pick up . a few days ago i tried to clean them out and my mum had a go at me saying “they’re only guinea pigs just pick them up” blah blah blah and eventually after about 2 hours of trying to get them in i just got so annoyed i attempted to pick them up, which as you can imagine, didn’t succeed . i left them and said i would do it the next day but it was pouring and freezing so i said i would do it today . now the most my pigs will go near me is near my hand and then run off so 1. they’re now scared of me 2. i can’t clean them out . please any advice because now i haven’t cleaned them in a week and it’s looking gross ..

 

[Nassala]

Remove all items in the cage except for one hide or basket which you can easily pick up. When they run into the only shelter there, block the exit or gently tip up the basket and lift the whole thing out. You then do not need to handle a squirmy, scared pig and it is less traumatic for them. Maybe make a pen or area on the floor to put them in, instead of a travel cage, with lots of interesting things for them, including some favourite veggies, so that a clean out becomes a treat!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Do you have a large laundry basket, if so encourage them into a small box and place them one at a time into the basket. Then put them somewhere safe so they don’t escape, place a cover of the top if possible (big sheet). You can then clean them out. To enable your piggies to get used to you, you need to interact with them calmly. Please have a look at the Guinea pig Guides, there is plenty of good advice for new owners. Having guinea pigs outside does make it more difficult to interact with especially in the winter months. You need to spend more time with them and get them used to you and be able to competently handle them. Perhaps buy a small run that you can sit inside with the piggies on a waterproof tablecloth, you can then start hand feeding and generally get to know each other. Good luck, you remember you are the top piggie x
Guinea Pig Care & Information Guides

 

[Wiebke]

, refuse to go inside and they’re too nervous to pick up . a few days ago i tried to clean them out and my mum had a go at me saying “they’re only guinea pigs just pick them up” blah blah blah and eventually after about 2 hours of trying to get them in i just got so annoyed i attempted to pick them up, which as you can imagine, didn’t succeed . i left them and said i would do it the next day but it was pouring and freezing so i said i would do it today . now the most my pigs will go near me is near my hand and then run off so 1. they’re now scared of me 2. i can’t clean them out . please any advice because now i haven’t cleaned them in a week and it’s looking gross ..

Can you take out all other housing and lure them into their piggy carrier or a lidded cardboard box with some fresh hay and veg at the far end? Please the conveyance into a corner so it is easier to chivvy the piggies in.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Turn the cleaning into a ritual with its own melody and words. The piggies will quickly learn just by the fact that it comes with a signature that it is not random violence but something expected and they will get the hang of it the more you do it.

I use a sing song 'tidy tidy tidy' for the evacuation/cleaning process, for instance. The piggies know I am busy in their cage and that they'll get a freshly made up one at the end.

 

[PiggieNPooh]

Do you have a large laundry basket, if so encourage them into a small box and place them one at a time into the basket. Then put them somewhere safe so they don’t escape, place a cover of the top if possible (big sheet). You can then clean them out. To enable your piggies to get used to you, you need to interact with them calmly. Please have a look at the Guinea pig Guides, there is plenty of good advice for new owners. Having guinea pigs outside does make it more difficult to interact with especially in the winter months. You need to spend more time with them and get them used to you and be able to competently handle them. Perhaps buy a small run that you can sit inside with the piggies on a waterproof tablecloth, you can then start hand feeding and generally get to know each other. Good luck, you remember you are the top piggie x
Guinea Pig Care & Information Guides

thank you i’m going to try getting a run or something to block off so i can section off a part of their cage which hopefully might not worry them as much. i’ll have a read of the guides

 

[PiggieNPooh]

Can you take out all other housing and lure them into their piggy carrier or a lidded cardboard box with some fresh hay and veg at the far end? Please the conveyance into a corner so it is easier to chivvy the piggies in.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Turn the cleaning into a ritual with its own melody and words. The piggies will quickly learn just by the fact that it comes with a signature that it is not random violence but something expected and they will get the hang of it the more you do it.

I use a sing song 'tidy tidy tidy' for the evacuation/cleaning process, for instance. The piggies know I am busy in their cage and that they'll get a freshly made up one at the end.

thank you ! i’ll definitely use the talking/ melody tip as they already have and know a few (like “veggie time!” and “cleaning time!” when i’m spot-cleaning). i’ll look around or buy a run or something to block off a section of their cage which might relax them a bit more when they can see and know they’re still in their cage and safe . thank you !

 

[Wiebke]

thank you ! i’ll definitely use the talking/ melody tip as they already have and know a few (like “veggie time!” and “cleaning time!” when i’m spot-cleaning). i’ll look around or buy a run or something to block off a section of their cage which might relax them a bit more when they can see and know they’re still in their cage and safe . thank you !

Piggies are also feeling quite happy in a snug, protected place. It would not be a bad thing to get them used to a carrier before you need to take them to the vet. It is much easier if they associate the carrier with positive things. if necessary, place a towel or blanket over it for the first few times.
Travelling with guinea pigs
Tips For Vet Visits