Reading time

[Bean_piggies]

Hello, I've been trying to bond more with my guinea pigs by reading to them in a soft smooth voice to not scare them during playtime, they seem to be interested and look like they're listening to me while they eat their veggies but I just wanted to know if this is a good idea and if I should continue to read to them to get them to bond with me more and if there's any other bonding activities I could with them?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hearing your voice and generally spending time around them is a great way to get them used to you!

Have you tried offering food to them from your hand? That can take time but once they take food from you it means they trust you!

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

 

[Claire W]

I agree. Hearing your voice and you spending time with them will certainly help them to feel more comfortable around you

 

[piggieminder]

That's what I do when I've a new piggy to settle in. It does seem to work.

 

[Bean_piggies]

Hearing your voice and generally spending time around them is a great way to get them used to you!

Have you tried offering food to them from your hand? That can take time but once they take food from you it means they trust you!

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

Yes I have! My older piggies are used to eating out of my hand but my newer younger piggies are still reluctant to take food out of of my hands

 

[Bean_piggies]

I agree. Hearing your voice and you spending time with them will certainly help them to feel more comfortable around you

Okay perfect thanks!

 

[VickiA]

Time, patience and bribery will usually win over the most skittish piggies. I’ve been known to read, sing and chat to new arrivals in a “childish” voice to help them get used to me.

 

[PigglePuggle]

We sing to our piggies a lot, silly songs in a happy voice to tell them what we are doing- we just sing any old song and randomly substitute words to make them about piggies
My Chatanooga Choo Choo cage cleaning remix "pardon me pigs, is this the poopy poopy scoop scoop" is always popular (probably because I sing it after a glass of wine or three and they know they can persuade me to get them some extra bonus veg!)

 

[Merab]

I have been known to sit and discuss current affairs with mine.
Strangely they don’t have much interest in politics!

When travel I tell them all about the road conditions and where we are.

 

[Betsy]

We sing to our piggies a lot, silly songs in a happy voice to tell them what we are doing- we just sing any old song and randomly substitute words to make them about piggies
My Chatanooga Choo Choo cage cleaning remix "pardon me pigs, is this the poopy poopy scoop scoop" is always popular (probably because I sing it after a glass of wine or three and they know they can persuade me to get them some extra bonus veg!)

How about your famous Piggy wig wig song? to the tune of Blue Peter?

 

[PigglePuggle]

How about your famous Piggy wig wig song? to the tune of Blue Peter?

View attachment 194081

Piggy wig wig wig, piggy wiggy piggy wiggy piggy wig pig pig... the piggy hornpipe! Not sung that in a while, I must send piggy daddy to fetch prosecco and coriander then we can play that game this evening, where I sing the song and go from one end of the cage to the other with a bunch of herbs and the piggies follow me up and down dancing on their hind legs

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I always read to my group when we have got a new piggy, sometimes also when they go through a stressful time. It's a great way to bond and put them into a relaxed mood.

 

[Lorcan]

Sometimes I think I talk too much, and then guinea pigs are involved and suddenly being born with the gift of the gab is no bad thing. Last time round I'd just talk. And talk. And talk. Never in a different voice although keeping it as calm as possible, just like "Hey, I've got your dinner. It's here if you want to come get it. Ah, I know, it's scary, but it'll be here." Obviously the first (many) times it's not going to make much difference, but they did come round to the idea.

 

[Merab]

We had to drive over to Yorkshire today. I offered to tell my husband about the roads and describe the journey as I drove.
The answer I was given to a generous offer was a question about my sanity.
The guinea pigs are much more appreciative!

 

[Bean_piggies]

We sing to our piggies a lot, silly songs in a happy voice to tell them what we are doing- we just sing any old song and randomly substitute words to make them about piggies
My Chatanooga Choo Choo cage cleaning remix "pardon me pigs, is this the poopy poopy scoop scoop" is always popular (probably because I sing it after a glass of wine or three and they know they can persuade me to get them some extra bonus veg!)

Awh that's absolutely adorable!

 

[Bean_piggies]

We sing to our piggies a lot, silly songs in a happy voice to tell them what we are doing- we just sing any old song and randomly substitute words to make them about piggies
My Chatanooga Choo Choo cage cleaning remix "pardon me pigs, is this the poopy poopy scoop scoop" is always popular (probably because I sing it after a glass of wine or three and they know they can persuade me to get them some extra bonus veg!)