First time guinea pig owner, advice needed

[Niall76]

Hi there,
My daughter has been asking about guinea pigs for a while now so I was looking for 2nd hand hutches and equipment and I spotted someone selling 2 male guinea pigs as a pair, and they are almost 2 , with a hutch. She said they were very friendly etc, my daughter would love them. I thought they would be perfect for my daughter, I collected them, the lady said they were rehomed as were badly treated by a previous owner, but they would be great for my daughter for first guinea pigs.

We have them almost 2 weeks now and they seem so stressed they always hide in their hut, and are next to impossible to pick up or handle. We have tried handfeeding and one seems ok with that but the other refuses. It’s very disheartening for my daughter she keeps asking will they ever become friendly. Is there anything we can do and will they get tamer? I feel like a bit of a mug also tbh as when I have asked the lady for advice she ignores my texts, she said previously she gets them from her sister from people who want to rehome them, yet she was selling them and I paid for them

 

[Tigermoth]

Welcome!

Children And Guinea Pigs - A Guide For Parents

There are some fantastic guides on here about managing expectations with Guniea pigs, especially for children. I’ve linked to the kids one for you u but there is a good one from the viewpoint of the pig too in coming to a new home.

Pigs are first and foremost prey animals. They are put on this earth to be lunch for something else and so they live in perpetual fear! In the wild the only time they would leave the ground would literally to be eaten! In time they may learn to tolerate handling from you but it does take time to get their trust, but it is worth working for. Some never like handling.

Do they live outdoors? If you can see a way to bringing them to live inside they become a more fun pet as you can see their little personalities and get to know them much easier than having to go out in the cold and wet.

I’m sorry you are feeling a bit abandoned, I hope they have a much happier home with you. Go and read all the guides and learn how to start enjoying them a bit more x

 

[Caris]

I’m not sure how much advice I can give as I’ve only had my piggies for just over a week (it feels like longer!), but the best thing I can say is give it time. It’s still a new environment for them and they’re likely still getting used to it.

My boys are indoors and in a room where I spend a lot of time, so they get to see me and I them, and that I’m not going to jump on them every time I’m around. I left them under a blanket the first few days to settle in, and then just started chatting to them. They still sometimes run into their house when I stand up and walk, although I’ve found talking to them as I’m doing it (“Don’t worry! I’m just getting a drink, guys!” silly things like that) means they actually just watch me more and more and then go back to doing whatever they were doing. Predators don’t announce their presence, after all. They’re now more than happy to be out and about when I’m in the room, and I could literally spend hours watching them because they’re actually very entertaining.

As tempting as it is to want to pick them up and cuddle them, I would still leave them be. I’m still letting mine get to know me. I actually use the daily poo pick to bond with them. I remove everything from the cage, but leave them in to do as they want while I clean the cage of course and just talk to them. Curiosity always seems to get the best of them and they always initiate the contact (pushing my hand aside, seeing what I’m holding, seeing whether I’ve got some food, sniffing me, etc…one even “helps” me by following me around and digging just where I’m putting fresh bedding down). They’re both now more than happy to take food from me and let me pet them (I think it’s the equivalent of piggie kisses is you stroke under their eyes), and relaxed enough to sleep where I can see them. Today they actually came running when I shook their bag of food, and they've never done that before.

So I guess my advice would be just spend time in the same area with them, talking to them, and then slowly start to interact with them more. I’ve certainly noticed a huge difference in mine whilst doing this,

 

[Betsy]

You need to let your daughter know that she has to put herself in the piggies place. They have been taken from a home that they knew to be put somewhere strange, some big smelly (to them) giant is trying to interact with them who has hands as big as them. This big smelly giant has a loud voice that they don't recognise and who may eat them. I would be absolutely terrified in that situation wouldn't you or your daughter? Your piggies don't know you mean them no harm, you have to teach them that. Here are some links to help you both.

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?