My new guinea pigs are skittish what should I do?

Question

I just got 2 male guinea pigs from this lady. They are very skittish because they havent been carried/played with in about 2 weeks. I dont want them to bite me. What should I do?

Answer 1

Give them a few days without being held to adjust to their new environment. Give them a quiet environment without sudden bright lights. Then when you do hold them, be sure to have a piece of carrot to give them, and sit on the floor while you hold them. Guinea pigs get frightened easily when they feel unbalanced. Let them hide under the hem of your shirt or a small towel.
This first time, only hold them for the amount of time it takes them to eat a piece of carrot the size of your thumb. Then put them away. Gradually increase the amount of time they are held daily, without increasing the size of the carrot. My pigs usually will lick my skin for the salt, don't let that startle you. Sometimes they will nibble a bit if they are nervous. It feels like a tiny pinch. I put my pigs away immediately when this happens. No punishment, yelling or sudden movement will ever help, it will only frighten them, causing more biting. Try to prevent bites by distracting with food, and putting them back in their home whenever they seem nervous. Even the baddest pet-store biting pig can learn not to bite the hand that feeds it!

Answer 2

I have 4 beautiful little pigs and they were and still are skittish but they loved to be held, after I catch them. they love to cuddle around my neck and are also very curious once they get use to you just be sure to hold and love them every day 2 or 3 times a day. I have never heard of a guinea pig biting anyone so I would not be to concerned about that. As a treat they absolutely love LEAF LETTUCE but don't give them ice burg it is not good for them. Wait until they start squealing when you open the fredg to get them a treat. Good luck but be patent. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Try not to be scared, they probably not bite you. If you have just got them from somewhere, they are most likely really scared and just need to be left alone for the first few days. If you have had them for a few days, then slowly approach them (do not try to pet them or pick them up) and offer them a treat (carrots work very well.) If they accept it leave them alone to eat it, if they will not take it slowly set it down in the cage, and leave them to eat it. Whatever you do, dont make sudden movements, it scares them. If you need more help, you can email me at [e-mail]
Also, the website www.cavycages.com is very helpful for anymore help you might need.
Other Helpful Info:
*Make sure you dont have your piggies on pine or cedar bedding, it is deadly and will kill them.
*Guinea Pigs need hay ALL the time, to help them wear down their teeth, so make sure it is always avaliable to them.
*Store bought cages are often way to small, a cheap and simple cage to make is a C&C cage (cavycages.com for more info) It is made out of grids that you can buy at target, walmart, bed bath and beyond, linens and things, etc.. and coroplast which is a plastic that is used to line the cage.
*Bedding is often very expensive to buy, try putting a layer of towels on the bottom of the cage, then on top, a layer of the material "fleece"

Hope this helps! Please try the site cavycages! It is a lot of help!
-Allie

Answer 4

It is the guinea pigs nature, they will always be skittish. They shouldn't bite, gloves wont work. Try taking them out and hand feeding them some veggies and stuff.

Answer 5

All guinea pigs are style of skittish, take her out of the cage WITH both palms and puppy her even as feeding her a bread crust or little bit of apple or grape. Mine piggy, Gizmo, likes to be held in the criminal of my arm such as his nostril tucked in my elbow. it is how I were given my guinea pig to believe me. rather of setting up a hiding living house, fill and finished nook of the cage with timothy hay for her to snack on and disguise in. this way she won't be able to inforce her concern with the help of hiding once you seem. because you're new to guinea pigs i ought to assert the things you want: supplementations, bedding, TIMOTHY hay, pellets, cage, water bottle, and a snack-shack for chewing on. also provide a SMALL quantity of end result or vegetables on a daily basis, yet not cabbage or iceberg lettuce.

Answer 6

You really just need to get them accustomed to your touch. You need to hold them as much as possible. If you are nervous that they will bite you, wrap them in a towel and hold them on your lap. Stroke the back of their heads, between their ears. You can also feed them some treats - vegetables - while they are in your lap. That way, they associate your touch with rewards.

Answer 7

when i got my guinea pig he was scrared and very skittish but once it got to know me he was not skittish anymore as soon as i come i ask my guniye if hes hungry if he is he will whistle just get to know them if you re scred they are going to bite you rap your hand in somthin

Answer 8

Just let them have some privacy as they settle in. They are probably scared. When you come over to their cage talk to them with a your soothing voice. They will soon know you arre not a threat...

Answer 9

it's just a matter of time.my guinea pig was the same.i was afraid he was gonna bite me but he didn't.with time, they will get used to u,especially if u talk to them and pet them.good luck!;)

Answer 10

loose the fear of being bit..it wont hurt bad. they need to get use to you, so start getting them treats and holding them in your hand while the pig eats it..after a few trys start petting them while you feed them. make them associate your hand with getting treats