I adopted two guinea pigs today and I was wondering some good approaches for the new pigs? One is very calm, and the other is pretty hyper and scared. I'm also guessing it's normal for them to hide in their tubes and pigloo's, right?
Answers:
Yes, guinea pigs are prey animals by nature. In the wild they stay still for up to 30 minutes and hide amongst the long grass when predators are near by, but also if they are feeling scared. What your guinea pigs are doing is something to the same sort of effect, hiding in their tubes and pigloos because they are scared and afraid of predators.
As they are new they are also getting used to their surroundings, the new sounds, smells and people, this would be making them very skittish.
The best thing to treat this is time and a whole lot of patience. Aproach the cage slowly and quitely but at the same time let the guinea pigs know that you are there by talking in a soft voice. Each movement must be taken slowly as quick movements will scare them and most importantly bring a vegetable (parsley, romaine lettuce) treat each time you go to the cage. Leave them alone for at least 24 hours (I know how hard it is), you can see them during this period just do not pick them up. After this period you can have your first cuddle, start with 5 minutes per piggy and work your way up from there. You should also start floor time after this period, to start with choose a small room and make it piggy safe. After doing floor time in a small room for about 1 week (give or take) try using a bigger room.
Good Luck!
Yeah it is normal for them to hide.
I would approach them slowly with
a very calm voice until they get used
to you!!!!
betty_boop's got it--approach calmly, speak quietly, and be gentle. Try holding out treats for them, too.
If you just got them today, though, it's best to wait for a day or so before approaching them. Let 'em settle in first.
go to the cage and talk to them in a calm voice hold out a few treats and just let them calm for the first few days. then you can slowly reach down your hand and let them sniff it, remember guine pigs are animals of prey, so if they run into the pigloo dont take it personal. if they come up to your hand gently pick them up but hold them close to you. they may be spazy the first few times but they will warm up to you, good luck and congrats on your new little babies!
Approuch very calm and put treat in your hand and let him%26#92;her come and sniff it
speak to your pet, you may look nuts to people but it will help the animal get used to you.
Start with petting, not holding, sit and pet it for a while a bunch of times a day
and then start picking it up to pet it.
and during this all, watch the end that bites. guinea pig bites hurt.
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