Very Nervous Pair

[guineauk]

Hi all.

I used to own guinea pigs years and years ago. Recently my and my partner moved into a more spacious flat so we got two piggies from a pet shop about 3 weeks ago.

We have them in a spacious indoor DIY type cage. They have a hay rack, a pellet bowl, two bottles, chew toys, a tunnel and a little house.

They seem to be eating, drinking and pooping normally. My concern is over how nervous they are. I know guinea pigs are naturally nervous but I don’t remember my previous piggies being this nervous even at the start. Whenever I walk into the room they’re in, even softly and slowly, they both sprint for the house and then won’t come back out until I’m either gone (and watching through the crack in the door) or I’ve been sitting down quietly for a long, long time and even then any sort of movement will send them running. They are fairly OK with handling (though picking them up isn’t the easiest and normally has to be via the tunnel), once they’re up in my hands they tend to mellow out. I’ve tried the usual tips, talking to them through the bars, offering my hand with a treat but they just won’t come near.

Is this normal? Any advice?

Thanks so much.

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum.
And yes - this is perfectly normal behaviour.

You say they have a spacious cage - how big is it?
And do you have 2 of everything 9like houses/hides, etc).
This is important to ensure the ongoing success of their relationship - guinea pigs do not always share houses, so at least 2 is a must.

Is part of the cage covered?
This add a feeling of security for them - open spaces can be intimidating.

Part of the problem may be that you are trying to be quiet.
I know this probabably sounds silly, but by creeping up on them you apple suddenly and are behaving like a predator.
It is important to let them know you are coming well in advance, and not tip toe around them.

You may find some of the guides below helpful too.
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

 

[Betsy]

Welcome to the forum.

Yes that is very much normal. You've only had them for 3 weeks. Which isn't very long at all.

Look at it from their point of view. You've been ripped apart from your family, taken to a strange place with lots of loud noises you don't understand (the shop), just as you were getting used to that you've been moved again and taken to another strange place with lots of different smells (your new home) with big smelly giants (humans). You are scared, you are afraid. At least you have your friend to talk to. You are running on your prey instincts as you really don't know what else to do.

This is how your piggies are feeling right now. They don't know you aren't going to eat them. You have to teach them this. It can take a very long time. Just be patient. When you are handling them, their prey instincts are coming into play. Its the "if I keep still, they may get bored of me and leave me alone" prey instinct.

You may find this useful.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips

Give them time. Take things at their pace and in the end you will be rewarded.

 

[Siikibam]

You’ve been given great advice above. Hopefully they will start settling in soon. With guinea pigs, it’s a matter of patience pays.

I recently found my lone sow a boar friend. He was extremely skittish, and still is to an extent. In the first few weeks he wouldn’t accept food from my hand. Any sudden movement and he’d bolt. Actually, he avoided being near where I am! Now he will come and get his breakfast or dinner from me. He still bolts sometimes at movement but I’m okay with that.

The other thing I wanted to add is that, given where you got your piggies from (and if you haven’t already) it would be a good idea to have them vet checked and also double check the sex.

We’d love to know more about them and see photos if you want to post them

 

[Ruth1]

My experience is something like yours with nervousness, but give it a while longer and the gradual improvements in confidence will come, I’m sure. Something Swissgreys just said there rings true to me and I noticed it … my piggies are perfectly happy now for me to be washing dishes (they live in the kitchen). Sweeping round them, etc, but peek round the corner at them or try to move softly - sends them dashing for cover. I imagine they see that as acting as a predator. They would much prefer me to announce my arrival or talk to them as I come close. When I first got mine from the rescue they were really frightened and I put a towel over half their enclosure and I thought they’d never leave, but eventually, the bravest did and then both. Mine quite like a routine too. I’m sure you have one, but I’ve noticed that when they’re expecting something to happen they come out looking for it - like pea flakes when they hear me coming downstairs, followed by lettuce, followed by veg and pellets and the same at tea time when I get home - I wonder is there safety in something predictable for them…?

 

[guineauk]

Thank you for the advice everyone! Much appreciated.

Maybe I just got lucky last time with two oddly calm piggies from the start.

I hadn’t thought of just going about things at a normal volume but it does make total sense so I’ll try that.

The cage is a one level DIY (grid panels) one, 8.5 square feet and planning to add to it as they get a little bigger.

Pics attached. Pippa and Scoop.

 

[Piggies&buns]

As the others have said, it’s definitely normal for them to be nervous. It takes time

Are they girls?
It’s important you get them into the good size cage straight away and not wait until they are older to expand its size. Piggies, even small ones, need a lot of space from the beginning as you don’t want to be making too many territory changes as it causes them to reestablish their relationship.
If you have two girls then 8 square feet is the minimum but 10 square feet is recommended.

 

[guineauk]

Thanks, yes they’re both girls, 8 weeks when we purchased them so 11 now. I’ll probably look at expanding the cage size soon then.

 

[Swissgreys]

And just to add that when we first bought our piggies home I was also tempted to try and keep everything quiet and tip toe around them, but the reality is they were in our living room, and that level of our house is pretty open plan.
We ended up covering half the cage and just getting on with life, and in no time at all they didin't flinch when we had the tv on, were making dinner, or the girls had multiple friends over all shrieking and laughing.
Any of us announcing that we were approaching they cage ended up with them rushing to the front and striking for treats (although this did take months).

But for the entire time they were with us (in Ruby's case 6+ years) they still found certain noises terrifying - my iPhone ringer, dropping a tea spoon on the tiled floor and the sound of the juicer - but were not bothered in the slightest by trumpet practice, the Vitamix (stratospherically loud) and large groups of kids bellowing at the Playstation!

 

[Lorcan]

Comet and Blitzen were in my living room and bedroom depending on the heat in the flat, but the majority of it was in my living room. I just kept on with things as they were before around them, so they got used to other people talking and being in and out of the flat. They adjusted fairly quickly, not immediately but it didn't take long before they were up to their usual antics with others in the living room (who seemed very confused - "Are they okay?" "Are they fighting?" "Is that normal?" Yes, yes it is, welcome to what I put up with at 3am every morning!).

My current pair took a bit longer, and now I get screamed at for food every time I move. Give your girls the time to adjust, their pace might be slow but it makes reaching every milestone that much more rewarding.

 

[Ruth1]

And just to add that when we first bought our piggies home I was also tempted to try and keep everything quiet and tip toe around them, but the reality is they were in our living room, and that level of our house is pretty open plan.
We ended up covering half the cage and just getting on with life, and in no time at all they didin't flinch when we had the tv on, were making dinner, or the girls had multiple friends over all shrieking and laughing.
Any of us announcing that we were approaching they cage ended up with them rushing to the front and striking for treats (although this did take months).

But for the entire time they were with us (in Ruby's case 6+ years) they still found certain noises terrifying - my iPhone ringer, dropping a tea spoon on the tiled floor and the sound of the juicer - but were not bothered in the slightest by trumpet practice, the Vitamix (stratospherically loud) and large groups of kids bellowing at the Playstation!

Yes! This! Mine will happily come closer and listen to cello, but when my Apple Watch chirps on the hour - they run for cover

 

[Merab]

So true.
Husband playing saxophone - no problem
Vacuum cleaner - no problem
Knife on chopping board - loud shrieks for food
Front door opening - as above
A key Jingles - run away to hide in terror.

Welcome to the forum.
Your girls are beautiful

 

[guineauk]

Update:

The new cage arrived today and they seem to be loving the extra space. Lots of popcorning which I haven’t seen before! Chasing each other round with gentle squeaks which I assume is them playing. Looks a bit bare in the photo but the cage arrived before the new toys and second hide which are coming tomorrow. We’ve also got them a large run for supervised garden time!

Best of all though they’ve started accepting yummy lettuce from my hand.

Thank you again!

 

[Mon59]

Well. As another newbie I think the nervousness is completely normal.

brought my 4 sows home over 3 weeks ago and they are nowhere near eating from my hand. Also very difficult to pick them up even gently herding into a soft corner. They do sit on my lap but look terrified.

they have gradually stayed out when I walk past but Don’t like the hoover . had a bad day yesterday when I suspected bullying but seems to have calmed today (hormonal)

I think the problem is we remember very tame pigs from years ago (after some months)and forget the nerves.

so I am just giving them lots of hay and leaving them alone With the odd bit of veg for a treat.

it does concern me that they are not being handled much apart from quick examinations (like going to the vets) and 2 mite treatments But I expect that will come .

probably no real help as not an expert but you are not not alone…..

 

[Siikibam]

That’s a good step in the right direction! Glad they’re enjoying more space. I would do two big piles of hay on the floor, rather than just the corner tray thing. And is the other piggy eating pellets? You have to limit them.

Is the black thing on the bottom absorbent? You need bedding to absorb their pee else they’ll end up standing in it. Also what do you mean by toys? Guinea pigs don’t really play with toys. Good things would be toilet rolls stuffed with hay, a paper bag (handles cut off) stuffed with hay and maybe coriander or another treat hidden within.

Are you also going to add another bottle, or is it out of sight?

Enjoy them eating from your hand. So cute when they do