We got 2 new gps on Wednesday. Approx 10 weeks old. One of them has been very shy and nervous throughout and has hardly made it out of a tunnel. She was a bit better yesterday evening and stayed out eating from the food bowl while my daughter was reading them a story. She returned to the tunnel last night and hasn’t come out at all since. The other piggie has been much more confident - running and bouncing around the cage, taking food from my daughter. We thought today we would try picking her up (we wanted to give the shyer one more time to get used to us). But today she has been in her shelter all morning too and hasn’t come out. When I reached in to check on her, she barely flinched when I stroked her. Previously, even though she’s been more confident than Pepper, she’s still absolutely scrammed away if we’ve tried to touch her. Should I be worried or is this normal? Very new and nervous owner!
Should I be worried?
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Willow&Sky
Junior Guinea Pig
Sounds normal to me. Some piggies just take a bit more time. Talking/reading to them is a nice idea as it gets them used to your voices. Keep an eye out to make sure she is eating enough, maybe try hand feeding a favourite like cucumber?
It could be that your other pig is more dominant and shes staying out of her way? I had this a bit when I first got my girls but after a couple of weeks they have a nice bond now.
It could be that your other pig is more dominant and shes staying out of her way? I had this a bit when I first got my girls but after a couple of weeks they have a nice bond now.
MinnieZvonar
Junior Guinea Pig
The first 30 days with your new pigs will be the hardest. It sounds like your little one has just let it sink in that she’s in a completely new environment, scared, and confused. All normal piggie behaviours. My newer pigs are only just getting confident with me, after three months. Good luck, I hope your piggies settle in soon. 
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Sounds absolutely normal to be honest
have a read of this thread here How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
They need some time to settle in before you start with laptime, remember piggies are prey animals so prey instinct is so strong and it takes a while to gain their trust
I would recommend leaving them for a week to settle, build up a bond by sitting by the cage talking to them and trying to hand feed veggies in their houses then at the bars.
have a read of this thread here How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
They need some time to settle in before you start with laptime, remember piggies are prey animals so prey instinct is so strong and it takes a while to gain their trust
I would recommend leaving them for a week to settle, build up a bond by sitting by the cage talking to them and trying to hand feed veggies in their houses then at the bars.
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Also it may be worth using techniques here for when it come s to lap time How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
Very normal! Give them time to settle and follow the advice on here about hand feeding etc.
I’ve had my boys for four months (they are seven months and eight months old) and one of them still runs off as soon as I go near them!
I’ve had my boys for four months (they are seven months and eight months old) and one of them still runs off as soon as I go near them!
Thank you all for the advice. We’ve cleaned the cage out this afternoon, one floor at a time. We got the shyest one out in a tunnel (partly because she hasn’t braved the ramp yet so we can’t wait for her to move upstairs!) We sat her on my daughter’s lap still in the tunnel - we didn’t want to force her out, so just fed her some kale and gently stroked her and then put her back, still in the tunnel! We haven’t tried getting Salt out yet because she’s still very jumpy, but since we’ve cleaned the cage she’s been out and about a bit more. I guess I knew it would take time. It’s just I’m as paranoid as I was when I was a first-time mum!