Guinea pig question?

Question

i just brought a new guinea pig and i put him in his cage and gave him some food and water. should i not hold him for a bit so he can secure? or should i play with him alot and get him used to me? (he is about a month old...just got him from petco) thanks

Answer 1

Here is a good site that has helpful information regarding guinea pigs, and other animals should you need it
http://www.bluecross.org.uk/web/site/aap_FactsheetList.asp?pettype=10&mainpettype=4
Anna

Answer 2

As a person who has owned and bred guinea pigs (I usually started handling babies at about 3 days and any new ones I brought home on day one) I suggest laying a towel on your lap and gently petting your new guinea as soon as you bring him home. Do this for 15-20 minutes several times per day. Offering some fresh greens or carrots while you're holding him is good too. Soon your new guinea will start squeaking loudly whenever he hears you walk by, so that you'll get him out of the cage. You may want to invest in a guinea pig harness so that once your guinea pig is comfortable with you, you can add some floor play. They like balls with bells in them. There is nothing so cute as a happy guinea pig running across the room leaping into the air. Enjoy, the more you handle your guinea pig the more they will enjoy being handled.

Answer 3

When you first take him home, you want to leave him in the cage with out playing with him. Give him about 3 days, just make sure he has food and water and there's nothing wrong with him.
Leaving him alone for the first few days lets him get used to the surroundings. You want to go to the cage and talk to him and let him know you're there, but don't actually pick him up unless you have to...
After 3 days, take him our for about 15 mins, once or twice a day. It helps if you take him out and hold him up to your chest to make him secure the first few times, after that, sit on the ground with him and have him sit in your lap. You can gradually increase the time and frequency of interaction, but you NEED to start SLOW...

You will know when he starts getting used to you, it usually doesn't take more than a week or two if you do it right.

If you hold him right away, it can cause way too much stress on the little guy and make him sick(usually causing them to die). So, give him a few days, talk to him and let him know your voice...

Also, make sure you give the little guy plenty of vitamin C and timothy hay...

http://www.aracnet.com/~seagull/Guineas/VitaminC.shtml

this site has a nice little chart of good foods and how much to give them...Good Luck...Hope this helps

Answer 4

I say, just hold him for about 10-20 min and put him back in his cage for a few hours. Then hold him again for about 10-20 min...
be carefull he may poo or pee on you. Poo, not so bad, because they are little and dry, but pee is messy and milky.
ICK.

I say dont really "Play" for a while since its just a baby and they are timid animals. just hold and pet.
Oh they are nocturnal, so expect squeeking at night. YOu might want to put him in a warm, but quiet place, so you dont get bothered by the noise, and he/she wont be bothered by outside noises..

Find out if they need anything for exercise in the cage..
Give lettuce and carrots and such too.

Oh and FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
Do not take him/her to Ecuador... They eat Cavies, and they love them!!!! :-)

Answer 5

I have raised 8 pigs and the ones that came out the best are the ones that were played with the most. Left alone they like to be left alone. Play with them and they want to be played with. This starts from day one. If you leave it alone for a few days it will want to be left alone

Answer 6

Aw, congratulations! I did the same thing, so here's my answer on the experience. Yes, you would want to hold him and play with him, but not too much. As a baby, you should hold him and play with him once a day. When he grows up, though, you should only hold him when necessary. Good luck!

Answer 7

I would let him get used to his surroundings for about a week, then start picking him up gradually. Unless he was handled alot at the store, then he should be used to human contact.

Answer 8

Ok, well you need to get him used to his new home, let him be for a day or 2, and then gradually play with him more each day so he gets used to you.

Answer 9

Begin holding him for short periods of time so he can get used to you and your affection and then slowly increase the amount of time you hold him.

Answer 10

yes, but guinea pigs a naturally timid creatures, more often than not they are scared of there own shadows lol