Do they like it or are they just putting up with it?

PiggyintheMiddle

PiggyintheMiddle

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For context, we've had our girls for four years now, bought them when they were babies. When we spend time with them they usually come to us and eat hay near us but we don't do lap time because they don't like being picked up. However, they do - sometimes let us stroke them, especially Ophelia. Today for example. First time I tried her forehead but she backed away, however a few minutes later I tried on her cheek (I don't know how else to describe it) and she shut her eyes. I only did it for a little while but she didn't back away and I was wondering whether they do indeed like it or just put up with it? I guess either option is ok because they trust us and can back away if they want to but I was wondering whether I could hear from others about how their guinea pigs interact.

We do pick them up for weighing, nail cutting or transporting, of course, but not for lap time (which is a shame but we prefer them to be happy than force them).​
 
If she could move away but didn’t then that is most likely because she was enjoying it.

I have four boys. One of them actively asks for strokes in his cage and likes to be held. Two don’t mind being stroked but are more selective if and when they allow it - they will move away if they don’t want to be touched. The fourth makew like he wants to be stroked but almost always changes his mind at the last minute!
 
Piggies&buns said:
If she could move away but didn’t then that is most likely because she was enjoying it.

I have four boys. One of them actively asks for strokes in his cage and likes to be held. Two don’t mind being stroked but are more selective if and when they allow it - they will move away if they don’t want to be touched. The fourth makew like he wants to be stroked but almost always changes his mind at the last minute!
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Ok thank you! ❤️
 
If a piggy is free to move away but allows you to stroke them, then they are happy being petted. Some piggies like it, most won't mind a little cuddle and some will never come to more than tolerate any necessary handling unless they are ill and crave your comfort and care.

In your case, it is a gift of trust freely given. There are scent glands on the cheeks, stroking on the cheek and around the eyes mirrors natural friendly/affectionate behaviour. ;)
 
Wiebke said:
If a piggy is free to move away but allows you to stroke them, then they are happy being petted. Some piggies like it, most won't mind a little cuddle and some will never come to more than tolerate any necessary handling unless they are ill and crave your comfort and care.

In your case, it is a gift of trust freely given. There are scent glands on the cheeks, stroking on the cheek and around the eyes mirrors natural friendly/affectionate behaviour. ;)
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Ok thank you! 😃
 
Micah loves a gentle stroke on the cheek if he’s out for a health check.
Ruth occasionally tolerates a stroke on her head.
As long as they’re free to escape attention then the occasional stroke is a gift.
 
My Toffee loves a good stroke on his left cheek. So much so that he leans into it and it’s usually me who stops. Chanel had a preference for my husband and wouldn’t let me stroke her so I left her to it. But of late, she has been allowing me to stroke her. She’s even gone as far as ‘asking’ for a stroke a couple of times. It’s mostly on her head though I have stroked her cheek before.

If she didn’t move away that’s good. Be happy with what she’s giving ☺️
 
Siikibam said:
My Toffee loves a good stroke on his left cheek. So much so that he leans into it and it’s usually me who stops. Chanel had a preference for my husband and wouldn’t let me stroke her so I left her to it. But of late, she has been allowing me to stroke her. She’s even gone as far as ‘asking’ for a stroke a couple of times. It’s mostly on her head though I have stroked her cheek before.

If she didn’t move away that’s good. Be happy with what she’s giving ☺️
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I will, thank you!
 
My oldest piggy, Apple (she's about 8/9) she doesn't like her face touched at all. Chin rubs she allows, but most of the time she'd rather you stroke her back.
They definitely all have their preferences! It's quite adorable!
 
PoptartShop said:
My oldest piggy, Apple (she's about 8/9) she doesn't like her face touched at all. Chin rubs she allows, but most of the time she'd rather you stroke her back.
They definitely all have their preferences! It's quite adorable!
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Mine hate being stroked on their backs :no: Bianca won't let me stroke her but Ophelia is quite happy to be, I think.
 
Each piggy has it's own unique personality, I've yet to have any that have been the same to rainbow piggies. My eldest Daisy hated being handled when she was the submissive piggy but when she became cage boss, she suddenly grew less timid and now actually enjoys a cuddle and even purrs on a back rub.

Lily, my baby (10months) absolutely hated being stroked in the cage and acted like I was going to kill her when I picked her up. She is a bit of a grump, she'll tolerate sitting with me and occasionally like the odd head stroke, hates being stroked she has hair crests so maybe it irritates her? But she does purr occasionally when I rub her back inside the cage.

So I think your piggy has started to let her guard down, she may chill out more as she gets older and more use to being handled or it might just be her stubborn personality.
 
Piggies are completely individual on what they like aren't they! 😅

If your piggie doesn't like a stroke on the back, try a gentle nose rub, approaching very slowly. Our Terrence is very funny about being stroked on his back - i fyou go straight for his back he gets spooked and darts. But if you start on his nose and move to his upper back, he's ok. I suspect his eyesight isn't great and so as he can feel my finger/hand the whole time he knows what I'm doing. It's that natural prey instinct you see. Terrence also loves a chin scratch. Although, only if he wants one - if he's not in the mood, he'll sniff my hand and run away 😅

On the other hand, our little Desmond (RIP ❤️ ), LOVED a fuss! He'd actually come and ask for it when you got in the room, I'd be able to stroke him on his back and he would very quickly flop to the floor and properly lie down! He loved it. Desmond wasn't keen on a chin scratch or nose rub though, so the complete opposite of Terrence.

We are also at the point where when we get them out for cuddles or checks, we take out all the houses and put a hand in front and behind them. It has to be at the right angle, otherwise they run away, but if you'v got the position right, they calmly put their front paws in our hand to come up!

It's worth noting too - both of them were PETRIFIED when they came to us at around 6 months old. It took a lot of patience on our side to get this point. The key is, as others have said, to give them space to run off if they want to. I've only had 5 piggies in my lifetime, but every one of them has enjoyed being handled and fussed to some extent.

Picture of Desmond (black and brown) and Terrence (white nose) 🤗
 

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Katie1988 said:
Lily, my baby (10months) absolutely hated being stroked in the cage and acted like I was going to kill her when I picked her up. She is a bit of a grump, she'll tolerate sitting with me and occasionally like the odd head stroke, hates being stroked she has hair crests so maybe it irritates her? But she does purr occasionally when I rub her back inside the cage.

So I think your piggy has started to let her guard down, she may chill out more as she gets older and more use to being handled or it might just be her stubborn personality.
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Sounds familiar... Bianca used to shriek at the top of her lungs when being picked up to be moved.

This is encouraging, thank you!
 
joanneswift813 said:
Piggies are completely individual on what they like aren't they! 😅

If your piggie doesn't like a stroke on the back, try a gentle nose rub, approaching very slowly. Our Terrence is very funny about being stroked on his back - i fyou go straight for his back he gets spooked and darts. But if you start on his nose and move to his upper back, he's ok. I suspect his eyesight isn't great and so as he can feel my finger/hand the whole time he knows what I'm doing. It's that natural prey instinct you see. Terrence also loves a chin scratch. Although, only if he wants one - if he's not in the mood, he'll sniff my hand and run away 😅

On the other hand, our little Desmond (RIP ❤️ ), LOVED a fuss! He'd actually come and ask for it when you got in the room, I'd be able to stroke him on his back and he would very quickly flop to the floor and properly lie down! He loved it. Desmond wasn't keen on a chin scratch or nose rub though, so the complete opposite of Terrence.

We are also at the point where when we get them out for cuddles or checks, we take out all the houses and put a hand in front and behind them. It has to be at the right angle, otherwise they run away, but if you'v got the position right, they calmly put their front paws in our hand to come up!

It's worth noting too - both of them were PETRIFIED when they came to us at around 6 months old. It took a lot of patience on our side to get this point. The key is, as others have said, to give them space to run off if they want to. I've only had 5 piggies in my lifetime, but every one of them has enjoyed being handled and fussed to some extent.

Picture of Desmond (black and brown) and Terrence (white nose) 🤗
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They don't like me approaching their face, I don't think, it's only ok if I go to their eyes.

Our two were also very frightened at the beginning when they were babies. I remember we waited - stock still and at a far distance - for 42 minutes before they emerged from the sleeping area for food... now they are at the bars biting and running up and down, wheeking and begging if we make a noise from about half three in the afternoon (their dinner is at 5).

Desmond and Terrence are so cute! :love:
 
Yes, I've heard that sometimes their eyesight isn't great. Terrence can be a bit like this too, or sometimes I have to hover my hand a distance and he comes to me, then takes nose rub!

That's standard piggie behvaiour on the squeeking front isn't it 😅

Thank you ❤️ they are my complete world, more than I realise. Sadly we lost Desmond last week, still heart broken. Currently trying to bond Terrence (3 years old) with 11 week old Patch! It's interesting and a steep learning curve to say the least 😅 Patch is confident it's unreal! Albeit tentatively, he's already eating out of my hands, and he's had a lick/nibble of my finger too! He's only been with us 5 days!
 
joanneswift813 said:
Yes, I've heard that sometimes their eyesight isn't great. Terrence can be a bit like this too, or sometimes I have to hover my hand a distance and he comes to me, then takes nose rub!

That's standard piggie behvaiour on the squeeking front isn't it 😅

Thank you ❤️ they are my complete world, more than I realise. Sadly we lost Desmond last week, still heart broken. Currently trying to bond Terrence (3 years old) with 11 week old Patch! It's interesting and a steep learning curve to say the least 😅 Patch is confident it's unreal! Albeit tentatively, he's already eating out of my hands, and he's had a lick/nibble of my finger too! He's only been with us 5 days!
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Mine come closer too but then realise I don't have treats...


I'm so sorry for your loss! Sending love and I hope the bonding goes well. Patch sounds like so much fun!
 
PiggyintheMiddle said:
Mine come closer too but then realise I don't have treats...


I'm so sorry for your loss! Sending love and I hope the bonding goes well. Patch sounds like so much fun!
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Haha yes... Terrence also does this 😅 comes to check if we have treats and darts off when don't! then on the other occassions, he hangs around for a quick fuss. Bless all our little piggies hey 😊

Thank you ❤️ Patch is certainly a HUGE bundle of energy! 😅 I have a thread going about it here if you'd like to see how they are getting on: Bonding Boars - 3 year old bereaved "Terrence" and 11 week old "Patch"
 
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