Behaviour Change

  • Thread starter Thread starter CurlyLisa
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CurlyLisa

I am a bit confused and concerned. I have had my guinea pigs about 2 1/2 weeks and felt that they were settling in ok. They were sitting on my lap for ages and squeaking at me when I spoke to them but this week they have become a bit edgy and restless when I'm holding them. One even bit me when I was putting her back in her cage last night.

The only thing I can think of that has changed for them is that I changed their bedding from hay to fleece and added a little wooden house for them, could this have made them upset? Also they turn 12 weeks this week and I was advised by the breeder that they do go through an adolescent stage and they have been running at each other and running round their cage a lot more!

Just want a bit of advice and want to know if I am doing anything wrong! Looking forward to your words of wisdom! :(
 
The restlessness is actually a good sign - it means that your piggies have gone from being scared stiff to trusting you enough to tell you how they are really feeling. Communication is a big breakthrough, even if it won't look like that to you right now! Patience and persistence will get you there.

Some piggies do bite to tell you off and keep away; just discourage it gently but firmly.
 
That's good news, I really thought I had done something wrong even though I have been gentle with them and talking to them when I pass the cage! Do you think I should still keep holding them daily etc and they will eventually settle again or should I leave them for a while? Unsure what to do next really! Thanks for your advice I really appreciate it!:)
 
I'd be tempted to carry on what you're doing and they will relax more and more with you :)

Just a quickie on the biting though, Willow does this occasionally when being lifted/carried too and I've come to the conclusion she's rather have four feet on the ground. A gentle bite is a little reminder that she's not a happy piggie right now! ;)
 
Thank you. That's what I think it is with Bubbles as she doesn't try and do it at any other time! I will have to try and think of some other ways of carrying/lifting her to make her feel more confident! I'll definitely keep trying with them even if its on 10 minutes a day for now! Thanks again!
 
Ah that's what could be wrong with Cuddles! Thanks so much for posting this! I've had mine for about 1 month now and while Fudge seems to love being handled, ie comes out the cage no probs and practically goes to sleep being stroked, Cuddles has gone totally the other way even though she used to love being handled. She does loud squeaks at feeding time though!

I'll just keep handling her then for 10mins per day!

Thanks!
 
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