9-10 week old

[Piggies202]

Hi, I got my two piggies, chirpy and nutmeg, around 3-4 weeks ago. Chirpy is more confortable with me however both of them do eat vegetables from my hand.
I haven’t started giving them lap time as I am scared they will run off and I will have to chase them all around the house to get them back into their cage. What do you recommend as to how and when I should start lap time.
Also, I can pet chirpy on the head a bit without him running away although he seems very uncomfortable with me petting him. So should I stop or continue petting him and get him used to it?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

It will take a while for your pigs to feel safe around you, it varies per pig and its natural for them to be scared of harm as its literally inbuilt into them.
So my advice is don't rush it and don't expect them to understand you.

My best advice, have a secure enclosure that you can sit in with them, talk to them when you feed them or are near them so they get used to your voice, and when you sit into the lap time enclosure keep talking to them. Have some nice lettuce or their favourite herbs and let them come to you, it will take sometime but eventually it will be okay. I would then pick one up and allow them to sit on you with your hands and stroke them whilst feeding. They will associate you with food and feeding time. This way they don't have far to fall if they decide to jump. I'd probably also put a tunnel tube in the enclosure so they have somewhere to run to and hide if they want.

You can build upto sofa laptime when they are unlikely to jump/leap which they can and will do.

 

[Piggies202]

It will take a while for your pigs to feel safe around you, it varies per pig and its natural for them to be scared of harm as its literally inbuilt into them.
So my advice is don't rush it and don't expect them to understand you.

My best advice, have a secure enclosure that you can sit in with them, talk to them when you feed them or are near them so they get used to your voice, and when you sit into the lap time enclosure keep talking to them. Have some nice lettuce or their favourite herbs and let them come to you, it will take sometime but eventually it will be okay. I would then pick one up and allow them to sit on you with your hands and stroke them whilst feeding. They will associate you with food and feeding time. This way they don't have far to fall if they decide to jump. I'd probably also put a tunnel tube in the enclosure so they have somewhere to run to and hide if they want.

You can build upto sofa laptime when they are unlikely to jump/leap which they can and will do.

Do you think I should purchase a guinea pig bed for them to go in during laptime as I have seen many YouTube videos which include of a guinea pig bed however I am not so sure if I should get one?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

I wouldn't think they would need one if it's laptime, I have fleece houses for mine but thats for the winter. A Lapmat is always good to stop any little toilet accidents, we have members on the forum who make piggy things including mats if you would prefer.

 

[SallyM79]

Do you think I should purchase a guinea pig bed for them to go in during laptime as I have seen many YouTube videos which include of a guinea pig bed however I am not so sure if I should get one?

We have the same challenge with our 2 babies. We bought a guinea pig sofa from pampered piggies which has been great for starting lap time. We set up a run in the living room and my daughter sits in the cage with the sofa on her lap with hay and veggies. I then get the piggies in a tube or carry case and carry them in to her and put them on the sofa. They are a little agitated at first but they soon relax and allow her to stroke them and will stay there happily for a while. They really dislike being handled though and i am hoping this will change over time.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I got my two piggies, chirpy and nutmeg, around 3-4 weeks ago. Chirpy is more confortable with me however both of them do eat vegetables from my hand.
I haven’t started giving them lap time as I am scared they will run off and I will have to chase them all around the house to get them back into their cage. What do you recommend as to how and when I should start lap time.
Also, I can pet chirpy on the head a bit without him running away although he seems very uncomfortable with me petting him. So should I stop or continue petting him and get him used to it?

Hi and welcome

Please use the information and tips in these guides to avoid triggering your piggies' prey animal instincts and to make friends in their language. Invite him to be a member of your group and tell him that you love him in ways he understands. Give your piggies time to learn to trust you; that is not a quick process. But a piggy trusting you enough to tell you what they do not like is already a big step forward on that road. Accept that not all guinea pigs (in fact most, when given the option) are not cuddlers but the vast majority will come to be OK with being handled and groomed, and a little pet.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

These guides are part of our much wider new owners guide collection, which addresses all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. It ranges from settling in and making friends, understanding behaviour, housing (including safe and unsafe toys), a good diet for long term health and a longer life, weekly care/health checks to learning what is normal and not and how to spot illness early on.
You will hopefully find them both helpful and interesting! Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides