Do you think my new guinea pig is scared or not used to people?

[michellexgix]

I just bought a guinea pig today. It was a spur of the moment thing and from a pet shop. I know its really silly but I actually said no to this but it was three against one so whats done is done.

I have a rabbit and I am reading up about the guinea pigs now.

Ok, I'm just wondering if this little guy is actually nervous of people or just scared of been moved etc. So what does it sound like to you? Oh and hes only a baby, only around 11/12 weeks old.

The girl in the pet shop was handling him and he was like backing back from her hands as if he didnt want to be handled, tryin to get out of her hands. In the box on the way home every time I would lift the top of he would try and hide in the hay and was scared and would run from one side of the box to the other even though i was a small box. When we got him home I was trying to lift him out of the box to put him in the cage (I do know how to do it right) he kept running out around the cage so I just put the box on the side and let him come out, then he went underneath the house yoke I bought for him. Every time I go in the room he would either run under something, the last time I went in the room he just froze. I gave him some carrot tops (ony a tiny bit) and he wouldnt eat it then i walked to the door he came out and smelled it.


So do you think hes scared or not used to people? My rabbit was never like this.

 

[Klangdon]

I think by nature pigs are shy and often quick to hide. In the wild they are often the prey

You really have to work with them and get them use to you. There are a lot of tips and suggestions to go by, including learning what all their sounds mean. Even still in adulthood and with lots of attention I have 1 piggy thats just terrified of people and has been practicing his *back up retreat* method. Thou in holding he is very good. It depends on their personality. Best of luck!

 

[flips]

This is quite normal behaviour. Guinea pigs are naturally wary and the move will have been a big event for him. Guinea pig behaviour is not like rabbit behaviour. There's lots of great advice on the forum. Feel free to ask whatever questions you want.
Are you planning on getting a friend for him. Guinea pigs need company of their own kind. He'll be much happier with a friend. You would either need to get him neutered when he is about 6 months old so he can live with a sow or match him up with another boar. It is best to get advice from a rescue about bonding boars as problems can arise when they reach the stroppy teenage phase.

Are you confident that the pet shop sexed him correctly as mistakes often occur. This is a good link for guidance.
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

 

[Monkeynutz]

I have 2 piggies, one of which is now just over 24 weeks old. We got Dotty when she was 16 weeks and she was very very nervous, but also confident at the same time. Each time we tried to pick her up, she would scarper away so quickly, although it was quite funny, it was awfully difficult trying to pick her up. I've never seen a piggie move so fast LOL!

All we've done as a family, is talk to her every time we attempt to pick her up, and I also go over to their cage, when their indoors, in addition to when their in the hutch outside, and just sit/stand by and talk to them both and pop my hand in to stroke them both as the other one Maisy is a little nervous too. I feel this has helped enormously, but it does take a bit of time for them to get used to us.

For them to hear your voice and feel your touch often, is a big help. Let us know how you get on.

Maybe there are more tips and advice from other members, but this is what is working for us at the mo.

Good Luck.

 

[Indie]

you have to rember that guinea pigs are prey animals so they're naturally skittish and this is perfectly normal.

Also rabbits and guinea piggie are completely different, i also have a rabbit and he so different from my piggies he s house rabbit and behaves like house cat even stealing sweets when he can get away with it.

If you have just got piggie i suggest leaving him to settle in rember everything new to your piggie he will need time to adjust to his new surroundings.

When I'm socializing piggie i tend to have old towel which (sounds silly) i wipe on my face to leave my sent then i put it in cage / hutch under shaving while they are settling in so they get accustomed to my sent without me forcing myself on them to say hello every 5min, as tempting as it is.


I also try when picking up my piggies to never come directly above them as again as preay animals they will think your coming to eat them! I also when first taking them out give them small treat usually washed dandelion leaf or bit of apple. There is no quicker way to a piggies heart than food! hehe

hope this helps and I'm not rambling to much