Extra Wriggley Guinea Pig?

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Teddy-Boys

Teddy-Boys

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I have 2 little boy Guinea pigs, both just over 1yr old. When I have the one on my lap he is always extremely wriggley to the point it makes it near impossible to keep holding him.

He'll normally sit still for about 2 minutes and then he'll start wriggling, squeaking non stop and pulling/biting my clothes as hard as he can, which often ends up catching my skin underneath.

At this point I normally give up and carry him back to his cage, I can feel him pushing as hard as he can with his back legs as I carry him back - almost like I'd expect a rabbit to.

I don't think he needs the toilet because he's only out for a few minutes each time and I rarely see him going to the toilet when I do put him down. He's the bolder one out of the pair so I don't know if it is fear, could he just be bored? He does seem slightly better if I stand and walk around with him.

I don't know whether I should just keep putting him back once he starts getting wriggly, or am I just teaching him that biting clothes and fidgeting is the way to get what he wants?

Thanks in advance for any help :)
 
When I have mine on my lap I tend not to hold them. I just let them roam a bit and block them with my hands if they start to scurry off too far.
Some guinea pigs do not like to be held onto, not forgetting they are a prey animal. It might just be he is one of those. Some on the other hand love a good cuddle.

Also you could start by having him and his cage-mate together on lap time. He might chill out a bit more with his pal next to him and then gradually work towards solo lap time when he seems more comfortable.
 
Teddy-Boys said:
I have 2 little boy Guinea pigs, both just over 1yr old. When I have the one on my lap he is always extremely wriggley to the point it makes it near impossible to keep holding him.

He'll normally sit still for about 2 minutes and then he'll start wriggling, squeaking non stop and pulling/biting my clothes as hard as he can, which often ends up catching my skin underneath.

At this point I normally give up and carry him back to his cage, I can feel him pushing as hard as he can with his back legs as I carry him back - almost like I'd expect a rabbit to.

I don't think he needs the toilet because he's only out for a few minutes each time and I rarely see him going to the toilet when I do put him down. He's the bolder one out of the pair so I don't know if it is fear, could he just be bored? He does seem slightly better if I stand and walk around with him.

I don't know whether I should just keep putting him back once he starts getting wriggly, or am I just teaching him that biting clothes and fidgeting is the way to get what he wants?

Thanks in advance for any help :)
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Try to assert your authority and then reward him lavishly for "good" behaviour and tell him that you love him. He may never be a happy snuggler, but he should at least be fine with being handled and groomed.
Here are tips on how you can use guinea pig behaviour to get your point across: How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
 
Two of mine are not happy sitting still on my lap, they're off and about and it makes having them all out at once a bit nerve wracking! (I have images of piggies disappearing over the edge of the sofa) The other settles quite quickly and had a proper grooming session whilst tucked into my stomach last lap time, but she wouldn't be so settled without the other two!
 
Thanks everyone for your advice, I will try getting him out with his brother to see if that makes a difference. I hadn't tried this in the past as he is sometimes quite dominant towards him but I'll do it when my bf's around so if there is any issues he can take 1 of them back!

I'll also look at trying to assert my authority in a positive way as he does dominant his brother so this might naturally be his personality.

It's just all new to me as the Guinea pigs I've had before will all generally sit still whilst being held, he does seem a little live wire in general (always running around the cage squeaking loudly so maybe this is just his personality!

Thanks again
 
Teddy-Boys said:
Thanks everyone for your advice, I will try getting him out with his brother to see if that makes a difference. I hadn't tried this in the past as he is sometimes quite dominant towards him but I'll do it when my bf's around so if there is any issues he can take 1 of them back!

I'll also look at trying to assert my authority in a positive way as he does dominant his brother so this might naturally be his personality.

It's just all new to me as the Guinea pigs I've had before will all generally sit still whilst being held, he does seem a little live wire in general (always running around the cage squeaking loudly so maybe this is just his personality!

Thanks again
Click to expand...

When handling the boys, always observe the existing hierarchy andfeed, handle, groom etc. the top boy first, as is his right.
 
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