Scared Guinea Pig

[davidp]

Hi,

I have my guinea pig for about 6 months. She's extremely scared and I tried almost everything to make her bond with me and doesn't feel scared.

She had hideout place, which she always turns over. I tried with different hideouts and she turns everyone and sleeps next to it.
She seems fine in cage, she sleeps on her side.
When I take her out and put on my lap she seems fine, she really enjoys it, but if I let her go to run on floor she immediately runs under curtains and sits there all the time.
Also if I give her treats and put my hand forward to her she runs away like hell.

She allows me to pet her outside the cage through bars, but as soon as my hand is inside she goes crazy. Sometimes she wants to take treats from my hand, sometimes doesn't. It seems that she's terrified of my hand and I don't know how to get past that.

I know it's how all guinea pigs behave, but I tried for 6 months to make here bond with me but she's still scared when I walk in room or walk out. I work from home and I'm all time with here in room, either talking or playing some music.

So are there any tricks I could do so she bonds even more?

 

[Gem789]

Hi,

I have my guinea pig for about 6 months. She's extremely scared and I tried almost everything to make her bond with me and doesn't feel scared.

She had hideout place, which she always turns over. I tried with different hideouts and she turns everyone and sleeps next to it.
She seems fine in cage, she sleeps on her side.
When I take her out and put on my lap she seems fine, she really enjoys it, but if I let her go to run on floor she immediately runs under curtains and sits there all the time.
Also if I give her treats and put my hand forward to her she runs away like hell.

She allows me to pet her outside the cage through bars, but as soon as my hand is inside she goes crazy. Sometimes she wants to take treats from my hand, sometimes doesn't. It seems that she's terrified of my hand and I don't know how to get past that.

I know it's how all guinea pigs behave, but I tried for 6 months to make here bond with me but she's still scared when I walk in room or walk out. I work from home and I'm all time with here in room, either talking or playing some music.

So are there any tricks I could do so she bonds even more?

Has she got a friend?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

I have my guinea pig for about 6 months. She's extremely scared and I tried almost everything to make her bond with me and doesn't feel scared.

She had hideout place, which she always turns over. I tried with different hideouts and she turns everyone and sleeps next to it.
She seems fine in cage, she sleeps on her side.
When I take her out and put on my lap she seems fine, she really enjoys it, but if I let her go to run on floor she immediately runs under curtains and sits there all the time.
Also if I give her treats and put my hand forward to her she runs away like hell.

She allows me to pet her outside the cage through bars, but as soon as my hand is inside she goes crazy. Sometimes she wants to take treats from my hand, sometimes doesn't. It seems that she's terrified of my hand and I don't know how to get past that.

I know it's how all guinea pigs behave, but I tried for 6 months to make here bond with me but she's still scared when I walk in room or walk out. I work from home and I'm all time with here in room, either talking or playing some music.

So are there any tricks I could do so she bonds even more?

Hi and welcome!

Is your girl a single piggy or does she have a companion? Guinea pigs are prey animals that are wired to live in groups and require company of their own kind around the clock. They are NOT a born animated cuddly toy that showers a human with affection, as sadly far too many people seem to think. Recent research has shown that guinea pigs have a much more differentiated social behaviour than anybody expected.

The best gift you can give her is a friend of her own, ideally of her own choice from a good standard rescue that rehomes only guaranteed healthy and not pregnant piggies to give her the instinctive reassurance and company she craves. You will enjoy seeing her come out of herself and suddenly come to life and enjoy the vocal interaction that makes guinea pigs so unique.
Companionship
UK: Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Some other countries: Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

Here are our tips on how to learn about guinea pig instincts and work with/around them to communicate with your piggy in ways it understands. This does not replace the need for company, but by avoiding behaving like a predator and by using guinea pig behaviours to interact, she will relax more. Picking up a guinea cuts very close to their prey animal instincts; a picked up guinea pig is very likely a dead piggy. Not all guinea pigs enjoy cuddle time; that is unfortunately another wide-spread misconception, although most will at least come to tolerate it.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

 

[davidp]

Thanks for your big reply.

No she doesn't have a friend. I was thinking about getting one but wasn't sure how she'll respond. I thought that if she gets a friend that she'll be more distanced from me.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for your big reply.

No she doesn't have a friend. I was thinking about getting one but wasn't sure how she'll respond. I thought that if she gets a friend that she'll be more distanced from me.

She won't be more distanced as she is now but - especially if you have a rescue that you can get to - you have the option to look for either a neutered boar or a sow that are more relaxed about human interaction to draw her out. Companionship can work in this way, too, you know! A good rescue knows their guinea pigs in care and can help you find the ideal mate. If you can bring your little girl for dating, she also has her input in who she wants to get along with, so you have the guarantee of a happy companionship, but the rescue to fall back on in case things run into trouble at some point. If you have the option to get to a rescue with a single boar neutering policy, then a cross gender bonding is what I'd go for as they are the most stable of all piggy bondings. You'll have fun watching all the hanky panky and can have the benefit of an instant cuddler for yourself. Boars are often the squishier ones compares to sows.

Since we have members from all over the world, we find it helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details so we can tailor any advice and recommendation as much as possible and give you more local recommendations if possible.
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