Behavior change?

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Sasafras

My boyfriend and I got our guinea pig, Guillermo, a couple of weeks ago. We got him from a shelter, and when we first brought him home he was sweet as could be, happy to cuddle and he'd even purr when we petted him. His cage was also pretty small, 27''x17''. So a few days ago, we built him a way bigger cage out of office cube pieces, 42''x28''--with ramps and tubes and all things joyous to guinea pigs. He loves it; instead of just laying about all the time, he frolics around.

Unfortunately, I think he loves the cage more than us!

Now that he doesn't depend on us taking him out for him to get some wiggle room on the couch, he isn't interested in us. He won't sit still to cuddle when we take him out, he gets so skittish when we try to pet him. He just runs around on the couch and treats me like a feature of the landscape. Now, he does make wheeking noises which makes me think he's happy--but shouldn't he still want to at least hang out with us? Is it possible that, being a prey animal, he was just scared stiff during his cuddly stage?

What's up with this little guy and how do I get my cuddles back?
 
try holding him with a towel or maybe one of those cuddle bags. i dont know what they're called. it makes them feel less afraid.
 
Hi, welcome to the forum :)

Guineas can often adopt the "if I freeze, then they won't see me" approach to defence rather than running around blindly to escape, especially in the early days with a new home. It is quite possible that is what has happened here, and that his fidgeting is actually a reflection that he feels more comfortable now - he's clearly very happy in his new and improved surroundings and it sounds like he wants to explore rather than vegging out with nothing to do.

It can take quite a while for guineas to get used to their humans, sometimes weeks, often months depending on age and previous history. With lots of fuss and attention, I'm sure he will come around and learn to enjoy his laptime :) He will soon learn that you are the bringer of food and it sounds like you are getting the wheeks when you appear with the nosh, they are usually pretty fast learners!

It sounds like he is on his own - guineas are highly sociable animals and really need the company of his own kind - perhaps finding him a friend could be a possibility in the future? Some rescues will let you take your pig along to find their own friend if that is something you may consider :)
 
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