Why do you think my guinea pig hates me?

Question

Here's the evidence:

1. She never comes out of her igloo if I'm in the room unless I'm COMPLETELY still and silent.

2. She SQUEALS like the dickens when I refill her food or water bowl.

3. She refuses to let me pick her up and I have to chase her around the cage for at least 15 minutes.

4. She goes spastic if I get too close to her cage. She runs around her cage a few times, then pounces bak into her igloo, and squeals as loud as she can.

5. She poos on me and keeps me up until midnight with all her noise.

I've had her for about 5 or 6 months. I've tried to play with her but she won't let me touch her. I feed her and water her every day, clean her cage every week, buy her special vitamin drops and bedding, bathe her regularly, etc. etc. etc. And she still hates me. WHAT SHOULD I DO?????

Answer 1

it doesn't hate you its probably just afraid of you. There's not much you can do about it. It may just be timid in general. The best thing to do is leave her be because you don't want to scare her enough to make her bite you. If you want a pet you're able to play with try a dog.

Hope I helped and good luck!

Answer 2

There was an article in the Onion about this the other day:)
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/gerbil_growing_distant

I don't think she hates you- she might be sick. It seems odd to some people to take a guinea pig to the vet, but it might not be a bad idea- especially if she's squealing that much.

Otherwise- and I'm sure you've tried this already, but give it a go if not- this is my only idea:

Stand by her cage quietly, without trying to touch her at all. From what you've described, this might take a good half hour, so prepare to be patient. When (if) she comes out, slowly and quietly put your hand into the cage. Since she'll probably go back into her igloo at this point, you'll have to wait again until she comes out. Leave your hand there until she comes over to it, keeping it as still as possible. Let her just walk around it,sniff it, etc.- don't try to pet her.

When she gets used to your hand- and again slowly- try to pet her without much pressure along her lower spine, near her tail- stay away from her head.

If she runs back into her igloo at this point, you'll probably want to try this whole process in stages if need be- there's no saying how long it will actually take it to get her used to you.

Just stay a little longer every day, and do not- do not!- chase her around the cage.

Small animals are almost ridiculously sensitive, and you (or someone else- a friend or family member) may have unknowingly startled her or touched her in some painful spot.

Take her to the vet as a precaution, but otherwise, just take the burden of proof upon yourself to show that she can trust you.

Good luck:)

Answer 3

ok. first off i just want to say that this make me laugh because a) i have had very similar experiences and b) it was just funny the way you talked about your guinea pig hating you. sorry. i can't explain why, it's just really funny.

second off, i totally know what you're going through. i have a boy and a girl guinea pig and the boy is tame but i am still working on the girl. girls are more shy and easy to frighten than boys---it's just their nature.

now i'm going to respond to your comments by number.

1) yep. guinea pigs love their special places. they feel safe and secure in their tunnels and igloos. it doesn't mean your guinea pig hates you.

2) the squealing is totally normal!!!! whenever i refill my guinea pigs' food and water, and open the fridge to get them a treat, they start making this REALLY LOUD squealing noise. sound familiar? this type of squealing means they're excited. it's usually related to being excited about either food or hormones (for example, a guy guinea pig starts making this sound when he gets near a girl guinea pig).

3) this is common with all guinea pigs. try putting your hand in front of their eyes and using the other hand to pick the guinea pig up from the bottom of its stomach. this prevents them from running from you.

4) she needs exercise! the only reason guinea pigs run around their cage like this is if they have too much energy. let her run around a room if you can. it will have her get to know the outside better and make her more tame.

5) she doesn't mean to poo on you, she just does this when she's scared. as for the noise, that sucks. it's never really bothered me though.

please don't give her away. she doesn't mean to be mean---guinea pigs are actually really sweet.

also the biggest thing you can do to make her more tame is to get her a female companion. i gave my guinea pig a companion and now he's changed from a timid, scared guinea pig to a wonderful, good-natured pet.

remember: don't give up. keep on working on being your guinea pig's friend. cut down on the baths, as all guinea pigs hate these and don't especially need them. (this could be making your guinea pig hate you.)

it sounds very nice what you're doing for your guinea pig. you sound like a great pet owner and deserve a congrats. keep it up!

Answer 4

No way! do no longer venture approximately it! I had to go away my guinea pig with my grandmother for a month while i become on holiday, and that i become very worried, yet all went properly. My guinea pig nevertheless enjoyed me as quickly as I have been given decrease back, in line with possibility even extra beneficial than earlier. have relaxing at camp!

Answer 5

Squealing is a guinea pig's way of showing excitement, and this can be positive excitement. Guinea pigs usually squeal when they know they're being fed.

Most rodents can't control their bowels well, so you will get pooped on. It's inevitable.

The rest of it sounds like typical guinea pig behavior from a poorly-socialized animal. If guinea pigs aren't held a lot as babies and their mothers display fear of humans (running and hiding), they will often show the same behaviors unless it's counteracted early in life by socialization.

At this age it's going to be hard to break her of this. With my cavy I removed the igloo entirely and reached in to pet him more than once a day, my hand following him around until he sat still and accepted the petting. He became less frightened of human attention but NEVER liked being held or picked up. Your cavy might never be friendly but you can get her to accept being petted and to approach the cage door for treats.

Answer 6

We have 2 guinea pigs. One is outgoing and friendly, the other is scared and skiddish. My son gets out the scared one and holds him a few times a day. Dont chase her around the cage. My son reaches in and pets him first to calm him down, the he picks him right up. He holds him for a while and pets him. He talks real low and soothing. Now he is relaxing a bit.
Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Guinea Pigs are nervous. Until she feels confident with you, she will hide.

BUT Is she squeeling or just squeeking when you feed and water her???

They can be quite vocal in "chatting" to you when you give them fresh food! This is her greeting you - saying Hi!

Until she feels confident with you, she won't like being handled, so you will have to work to repair the situation.

When you feed her today, approach the cage talking to her quietly, to warn her you are coming with out scaring her. Change her water and dry food, then hold a piece of one of her favorites (apple, carrot, fresh clover leaves, whatever) and let your hand rest in her cage for her to approach and take her treat. Only give these fresh treats by hand. DO NOT TRY TO PAT HER AT THIS STAGE!

After a few days you will find she will run out to get a treat whenever you approach the cage. Once she starts doing this hold on to the treat when she tries to take it, so she has to stay with your hand while she eats it. Continue this step for another few days and then try patting her gently while she eats.

Once she is happy to keep eating while being patted (this could take weeks) try holding her while you fed her a treat.

This way she will learn that you are the supplier of treats, and guinea pigs love through their stomachs!

Answer 8

Get her out of her cage and let her roam around the house for 30 mins or an hour a day, just make sure to guinea pig proof it first though!

Answer 9

1 theyre shy and timid it normal behaviour

2 they squeak when you feed them ours go nuts if they hear a bag rustle!

3 all do that too just keep going eventually she'll learn your there to be nice - try having a chunk of cucumber to treat her with when you have her on your lap

4 they do that too they think your going to feed them then hide cause theyre timid

5 - also normal - i advise not having her in your room other than the noise disturbance the sawdust and urine is unhealthy !

Ive bred guniea pigs for years and some are skittier than others - keep taking her out and fussing her and be gentle theyre fragile!

also DO NOT bathe then theyre clean animals and by bathing it your removing oils from the fur and scaring her!

she'll come to understand in time :)

all the best

Answer 10

She doesn't hate you, I'm sure. I've had guinea pigs that have done these things too. Piggies are naturally creatures that get spooked easily. They are also animals that enjoy other piggies' company. Maybe that is her problem, she is lonely and needs the company of another pig. If you don't want to get ANOTHER pig, just be patient and don't try to pet her if she seems to spooked out. Good Luck!