Problem Picking Up Piggies

[obsessedwithanimals]

Hi guys, please bear with me on this post as i've been ill and my mind's not functioning properly.

Basically I'm the owner of two gorgeous girls called Milly and Pepsi. I got them both from a pet shop at the end of summer/beginning of autumn. They're really cute and they both have very different pigsonalities. Milly's bold and inquisitive and loves a good nose rub or tickle behind the ears but Pepsi's a little more shy she will like Milly take food out of my hand but she's not that keen on being touched nor is Milly but she doesn't mind the occasional nose rub as I said.


They live in a 4x2 ft hutch in a shed (though there are plans they maybe coming indoors!) but I've never been able to pick them up properly yet. The only time I did was when they first came home and I had to slide Milly out into the cage as she was too scared to move.

The hutch is built up high on legs to I can sit on a stool and my legs are at the same height as the hutch so Milly does sometimes venture out unassisted onto my lap to retrieve veggies.

Soo I'm going a bit of topic their but I thought I'd give you some background info.

The real problem is that I really want to be able to hold them because a) I'd love to be able to bond with them more but more importantly b) so that I can give them routine examinations and do stuff like bathing them and trimming their nails also if they ever need to see a vet or have medication.

So it's really important for me to be able to pick them up problem is I'm scared I'll drop them or injure them in some way, also they have very sharp nails.

They run away when I try and pick them up and they're too smart to be able to be cornered in a tunnel or similar (they just back out immediately!)

Sorry this is such a long post but have any of you got any ideas please? Thank you so much x

 

[sport_billy]

Piggies can be very difficult to pick up, they are prey animals so their instinct is they do not like being caught or picked up. We have always herded our piggies into a chube http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_i=B00189LFSI then carefully covering both ends with hands, pick the chube and slide piggie carefully out onto lap, this is less stressful for you and them and will hopefully lead to some successful laptime. Cookie and Treacle are really really tame, but still don't like being picked up, although after nearly 2 years we are managing it easier but they still prefer the chube technique.

Our previous piggies pitch and putt knew what the chube meant and would board happily for lap times

 

[Mother Hubbard]

You mention about their nails being sharp, are you managing getting them trimmed at all?

 

[obsessedwithanimals]

You mention about their nails being sharp, are you managing getting them trimmed at all?

I'm ordering a carrier and then I'm going to tempt them in there and a lovely lady is going to show me how to do them at her place.

 

[LittleEskimo]

I have had McMac for 3 years and although he is pretty tame he still runs around the cage when I try to pick him up.

I also do the chube trick, it is much easier then trying to grab hold of a running pig!

 

[Julesie]

I have four guinea pigs. None of which really like being picked up. Two don't try to run or give one lame half hearted step forward. The other two, one I lure him into his pigloo and reach my hand in and pick him up. He's happy with that but the newest piggie goes insane and I have to chase him. What I'm trying to say is find a technique that works best with your piggie. With one of my boys pellets work fantastically. :-)

best of luck!

 

[MOC]

I have yet to have a piggie who likes to be picked up, most just suffer it so they can get treats. My Clive adores me, he gives me kisses on the lips and loves a cuddle with his mum, however picking him up is no easy task! I find that if you sit and stroke them for a while whilst talking to them beforehand it relaxes the pig, therefore picking them up is easier as they aren't as nervous to start out with. I think bringing them indoors would help also, if they're around you frequently they will learn to associate your scent/voice with good things like food and cuddles, this should help the nerves. One major tip I have is do not be nervous yourself. Animals pick up on this greatly, I know that Wigner only started to trust me once I stopped being nervous around him (he's a very scatty pig). You need to take control and be firm, obviously not so firm you hurt them though as they're fairly delicate.

As for their nails, you say you got them from a pet shop so I assume they're only young, if so this is normal. Most youngsters have sharp nails, there is only one of my boys who needs them routinely trimming and he's a good year (probably more) older than my others.

I hope I've helped. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time.

 

[Pchan-Oreo]

I have had/ sometimes still have this problem, because they are prey animals (Like Sport_Billy said) it is tricky. What I do is grab them when they are in their cuddle cups so they feel more secure. I also move very slowly when I want to pick them up. I let them sniff me out (Kinda like a dog..) and pet them, then I grab them. Some piggies, like my Oreo are crazy skittish and you have to calm them down before picking them up. Like hand feeding them a carrot, and talking to them.. Well.. That's what I do with mine. 8 I hope I helped!