Cleaning Cage for First Time: Nervous!

[Ashleigh825]

So seeing as how I got my boys almost a week ago, a full cage cleanup is in order.

The problem is my boys are really scared of me, still, and won't let me touch them and I'm reluctant to just reach in there and grab them. Also, the only place I have available to put them is in my room (where the cage is, also). They'd just run around my room while I cleaned up their cage. My roommate likes them, but doesn't want them running around all over the house because they smell. I've read that for skittish guinea pigs who haven't had a lot of time to get used to you and their surroundings, it's not good to give them roaming/play time as trying to get used to two different areas at once can be stressful for them, so I haven't let them out, yet.

Is it okay to let them putter about my room while I clean their cage? I'd piggy-proof it (no wires, choking hazards, things that can fall and hurt them, etc.) and do you recommend any low-stress way to pick them up? Like using a towel or something instead of my hands?

 

[Shellza]

Do you have any small boxes, pigloos or cosies? If you can encourage your guys to pop in one it's a better way of picking them up as it's not like a predator just grabbing them. I would think they'd happily roam around your bedroom while you clean them out. They may be a bit scared at first but will probably enjoy themselves once they get used to it.

 

[gpmomma]

Get a play pen to put pigs in. Chase them into a dog carrier with your hand, then put the carrier in the pen. I use a plastic kiddie pool as a pen.

 

[Ashleigh825]

Thanks guys. I ended up coaxing them into a little box and letting them run about my room while I cleaned. They certainly got plenty of exercise. They were running around everywhere. My room is small so I could easily keep track of them and what they were up to while I worked.