How do I stop my Guinea Pigs being so scared?

Question

I've had my Pigs for approx 2-3 weeks, and although they've made progress in that if you pick them up (if you can get hold of them after a brief struggle), they will let you hold them for a while and have once taken some food off my boyfriends knee after sitting with him for a while. But for some reason they are still really scared! They will come out of their sleeping box if you are in the room and potter around but you cant get within 3 foot of the cage without them freaking out and hiding.

We are very calm with them and dont have any children so it's not too noisy, but no matter how much cooing and stroking they still seem terrified! Food bribery doesnt seem to working either as they still wont take goodies out of my hand, and although I feed them at the same time twice a day (to get them into a routine), they still run away!

Help!

Answer 1

This is normal behavior in Guinea Pigs. Your two are still trying to get use to you and your boyfriend. It takes time and some work to get them to calm down. But they do calm down after a time and some work on your part.

There are some great ways to help in calming them down. I have used these tips with my own and have had great success with it, we also use it at a local Guinea Pig rescue center where I volunteer at and have had success with the tips in calming down abused and abandon Guinea Pigs.

Get two rags or pieces of cloth, put your scent on one and your boyfriend's scent on the other, then put them both in the cage with your Guinea Pigs. By doing this you are allowing them to get use to your scent and your boyfriend's scent. This helps them in recognizing you and him.

When around the cage, even if you don't see them out talk to them. This will help them in recognizing your voices and build a bond between you two and them.

When you notice that they are not hiding in there cage, slowly walk over to it while talking to them. Then place your hand in the cage so they can smell it and recognize you. Then pet them for a few minutes all the while talking to them.

Now when you go to pick them up to hold them do as the step above, only after petting them for awhile go ahead and pick them up. They'll never truly like to be picked up out of their cage, as it is their safe spot, but they should become a little easier to catch.

They will calm down soon enough, it just takes awhile for them to get use to the new place, the new cage and of course the new people. Just give them time, care and love.

Good Luck to you.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I stop my Guinea Pigs being so scared?
I've had my Pigs for approx 2-3 weeks, and although they've made progress in that if you pick them up (if you can get hold of them after a brief struggle), they will let you hold them for a while and have once taken some food off my boyfriends knee after sitting with him for a while. But...

Answer 3

your new pig is in a new place with new sounds, sights, and smells. When you start a new school or meet new people, aren't you a little nervous? Your pig is no different. I have two pairs of pigs. When I come downstairs in the morning, I start softly singing their names when I am at the top of the stairs and by the time I reach the first floor, I have 4 furry faces all singing back to me. Move slowly when reaching into your pigs cage, calling their names so they get used to your voice. Don't always pick them up when reaching into their cage - sometimes a gentle pet or a small treat like a seedless grape, small piece of apple or a small carrot will teach them to associate you with good things. Make sure you support their bottoms and their chest so they feel secure when being held.

Answer 4

Hi i am a genuine animal over and i also have recently got a new guinea pig i also have only had it for two to three weeks and the thing with guinea pigs is that they are instinctively nervous and it takes time and prolonged amounts of handling every day to get them used to a humanised life. Living around people and being handled but girls are often more frisky or vicious than boys. At first guinea pigs may bite but don't react but you could pull your hand back because it shows them that you are hurt and it also is just part of them getting to know you.

If you want any more information just email me on [e-mail] and leave me your email address so that i can give you more info. i can also help with other pets if you want. jade search engine {not a real search engine} i am practically pets.com/pets r us/ pets biography.

Answer 5

They're guinea pigs, that's what they do! I've had mine for 2 1/2 yrs and he still bolts at the slightest quick movement or loud noise. It's the way they evolved as they are essentially prey not predators and therefore the only ones that survived were the ones that ran away and hid quickest. It would take a heck of a long time to breed this trait out of them. Mine will come out and lie down, stuff his face and be totally chilled out and will stay there if you move slowly but this took months and lot's of yoghurt drops, not weeks... be patient and enjoy them.

Answer 6

Think this is just what they do and who they are. Jumpy and nervous little creatures. Just keep on doing what you are doing. You don't say what kind of cage they are in. Could cover all except the front with a piece of translucent cloth. This would still let in the light but would dull down any shadows (ghosts). The more they are handled the calmer they are to handle, but they still will run away and jump. We wrapped ours in a small towel when we held and petted it. Seemed to work well.

Answer 7

Mine are nervous but nosey which is quite funny. They always hide when I come into the room but they will come out and look what im doing and squeak at the top of there voices for food when they see me. They also like to sniff the dog through there cage- even though you would think they would be scared of him lol. We find they are allot calmer if we let them out of there cage and let them potter about a guinea pig safe room while we watch them. Also give them lots of veg mine love broccoli

Answer 8

i have one just like that except she will take food from my hand. i have bred them for a few years now. this one was one of the babies born about a ear ago. i sold her and got her back and when i got her back she was scared of everything. when she was a baby i had to put medicine in her eye twice a day. this made her skittish. what you need to do is introduce your scent on a toy or maybe a blanket. if your pigs are chewers dont use a blanket. when you hold them be gentle and show them that it is ok. i talk to mine and they listen and know that i am not going to hurt them. i am asuming yours are girls. they are the hardest to break from being scared. males are relatively easier. you just have to give them time to adjust to you and your home and to being held. when you buy guinea pigs from pet stores they are generally more skittish than when they are bought directly from the breeder. another thing ou can try is with supervision let them out in the yard in a pet fence just so they dont get hurt or lost. the grass is a tasty treat and being outdoors makes them morre comfortable. i hope i didnt confuse you. good luck

Answer 9

It's going to take a little more time for them to get socialized and to trust people. Try picking them up and holding them for at least a few moments a day while feeding them carrots or lettuce on your lap and petting them. They are shy and skittish animals by nature, as they have no natural self defense mechanisms. Given enough time, they will learn to trust that you won't hurt them. They may even come out of hiding when they see you and "talk" to you. Good luck! They are very sweet pets.

Answer 10

When you enter the room , sing or just talk and say there name , i know the singing sounds silly but it works !
And if they have like an igloo thing in their cage , take it out fifteen minutes before and then that will help.
If you want anymore info e-mail me , i have this guinea pig thing that i may send you if you contact me
if my yahoo doesnt work e-mail me on > [e-mail] or [e-mail]
It would take up too much space to put it on here :P
Lolss