Shy piggies?

[ChelleJM]

Just after a little bit of advice.
We have 2 guinea pigs that we rehomed from a friend last week.
I don't think they could have been handled very often as they are very jumpy and hide all the time
My old guinea pigs were always very sociable but these are very timid.
I've been offering them food, one will take a treat from me and the other isn't having any of it!
When I get them out to hold them one won't sit still, it just tries to get away and the other one just looks scared stiff poor thing.

We've had them nearly a week now, should I have left them longer to settle in before I tried handling them?
We have them inside but they were kept outside previously.
They spend all the day hiding in the house and only come out to eat when no one is near!
Is it likely that they are just naturally very shy and will always be like this or will they get used to their new home with time?

Thanks

 

[KingBoris&HisFollowers]

they do sound shy although to some extent piggies can be like that.I think in time this will calm down,maybe try using a towel to hold the especially skittish piggy so you have good grip and make sure you have a dark jacket or something the can hide and feel safe in while you are holding them

 

[Sarah from Chucklebunnies]

Hello. Piggies that haven't been handled have to get to know you and be certain that there is no danger. I don't know how you have been cuddling them, but insecure piggies like to hide their heads, stay like that, then check from time to time that you are still there while they hide. (Just out in the open on your lap is simply too stressful.) They often start to reward you for your patience by chuckling to you even when they are still basically hiding - it's just because they are a prey animal.

So - you can get them to hide inside your coat/jacket when cuddled. Be prepared for them to investigate/nibble your clothing and you - they are testing their surroundings through caution. You can swaddle them in a towel, hiding the head and cuddling them firmly to help them feel safe. I make cuddle pockets which I developed for this purpose, but the princple is sound, you don't have to have a special pocket for it. If you can sew, go and look at the pockets and make one for yourself.

Lastly, if you have two shy piggies then cuddle them both together, in your coat together, in a towel/pocket together as they will be reassured by the presence of their friend.

Hope this helps and happy cuddling! Sarah x

 

[Wiebke]

Just keep on offering them food. Eventually, the other one will catch on. It takes time and perseverance with shy piggies, but they will build up their trust.

Speak softly to them, but as often as possible and make sure they have somewhere to hide in their cage. That makes them feel a lot more secure and they will explore from there. You can praise them like a dog for what they are doing right. They love the encouragement!

 

[ChelleJM]

Thanks for the replies Charlie has definitley come out of her shell now, she doesnt run to hide when I go into the dining room to see them now, Lola is still very shy/scared but can be tempted out by food
I did notice Lola liked to bury her head in the crook of my arm when I held her, hopefully it won't take long for her to feel safe

It hasnt been too nice since we've had them so they've only been in the garden once but on yukky days they run around in the dining room which they seem to like, if I get Charlie out 1st then Lola, Lola will sit on the floor and squeek til Charlie comes to find her then they both scurry off!
They are good friends it seems, it's lovely to watch them.
My hubby has never had guinea pigs before and he admitted they're more interesting that he thought they'd be

 

[Wiebke]

You can still go out and cut grass with scissors. It's a really good way of keeping the edges tidy...

I keep the cut grass in an iceream box in the fridge, as my lawn is in the shade in the mornings, anyway. Only way to keep one absolutely grass-mad lady from squeaking me into permanent deafness!

 

[Gordy]

Glad you posted this - I'm in exactly the same boat. Have taken on two girlies who will, hopefully, end up living with my recently neutered male Guinea.

They are very shy, though I'm told one is normally more up for cuddles than the other. They're currently still in the cage that they've been living in, though I've added a box for them to hide in as well as the two tubes that they already have (and look a bit big for!)

Good thing is - they've been up for pieces of carrot and greens. Scoffed when I've left the room!

But - I couldn't help noticing that their cage and the bags of food etc that came with them smelled of cigarette smoke!