Can't get near my new piggies

[Max & Luke]

Hi, I am a new Guinea pig owner. I got 2 boars, 16 months old, from the RSPCA 4 days ago and have them living in a C&C cage (2 grids wide, 4 grids long on one side, 3 long on the other to fit around a jut in the wall, with a 1 x 2 loft which they've not ventured up to yet!). Since lifting them out of the box they came home in, I've not been able to handle them at all. They will happily take food from our fingers, but dart away if we try to stroke them. I need to get them out of the cage to clean it, but I don't know how I'm going to manage it! Up to now, I've been spot cleaning around them, but I think this might be making them more nervous, and their reaction is making me nervous about picking them up. I'm worried about hurting them if I just have to make a grab for it! Any advice?

 

[PottyForPiggies]

Hello there and welcome to the forum We would love to see pictures of your little boys when they start to come round.

Guinea pigs will take some time to get used to you - you are not doing anything wrong, I promise you! They have had a massive upheaval, change in environment, new smells and sounds. They are no doubt very nervous and will be skittish. The fact that they will take from you is a good thing, it took a while for mine to even do that!
Try getting something fleecy, or even a box with a little treat inside. When they venture in, just pick up the box with them in it, and get them out from there. They will no doubt squeal or cry when you physically get hold of them, but that is just them saying 'I'm no threat to you!'

Few piggies are happy about being picked up, but they will come round very quickly when they are actually sat with you

 

[PottyForPiggies]

Also, it is worth spending some time just sitting next to their hutch and talking to them! You might feel a little bit strange, but they will then get more used to your scent and to your voice, and will hopefully not feel too bad when you are around You can progress to doing this with your hand in the hutch, and see how they get on

 

[Wiebke]

Guinea pigs are prey animals, and picking up cuts very close to that instinct, especially in a new home. The best way is to train them to come into some kind of pick-up conveyance, a tunnel of some sort, a cosy, and upturned hidey or a padded cardboard box with a lid and one side cut off - and a little treat at the far end! if necessary pretend that you are not interested at all whether they go in... Be generous with your praise; piggies lap it up aas much as dogs!

Most piggies are quite happy being cuddled on the lap, though, even if it is for only a rather short time at first. Put them back whenever they get wiggly or start nibbling/pulling at clothes etc.

 

[Max & Luke]

Fab idea - thank you so much - I'll try this later x