Floor Time Woes

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marialuvscavies

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Hello,
I have had my 2 sows for approximately 4 months now, & they are pretty comfortable around their cage & me for the most part. But when it comes to leaving the cage they aren’t as explorative as other guineas I see online. I tend to limit floor time because they seem to genuinely dislike it, but by putting a time limit am I inhibiting their ability to get comfortable with floor time? I just want to give them the least stressful experience I can. Also is it okay to take your guinea pigs out with you? I’ve heard of many owners taking their pigs along with them on strolls or just to run errands. I understand my sows probably aren’t ready for this, but it this something I can anticipate in the future? Thank you!
 
I would say gradually increase floor time as they gain confidence. Put in lots of hiding places and hay/food they like to eat around the area. And maybe leave them to it (if their still a bit nervous around you) for short periods.
In terms of taking them out this is something I’ve not seen or done. Definitely do not use a walking lead I’ve heard these are bad for their spine and can cause injury. I have a friend who used to take their piggies to an allotment in a pet carrier then let them run about in a run while she did gardening. But I’ve never seen a piggy sat in a baby seat of a shopping trolly for example, it depends where your thinking of taking them... two can be difficult to handle by yourself and they may get startled by unfamiliar sounds, if one escapes or you loose them it would be heartbreaking.
 
Hello, guineas are prey animals and the prey instinct is really strong in them.

They are more than likely feeling vunerable at floor time, I would suggest as the above poster as mentioned putting in hides, these should always be available in runs at floor time. Think of floor times runs as a big cage if that helps.

No, not a good idea. Piggies like security they are not pets to take out on errands and around with you. They are prey animals, unnusual sounds and things like that scare them.
 
Some piggies never adjust to floor time. I have two nervous ones who will just sit in a hidey or under a cupboard and wait to go 'home'. I've tried putting lots of tunnels and covered areas around, scattered food all over the room and they still just hide. One is a year old and one is four so I don't think they will get to like it now. Both these piggies have a cage mate who explores but unfortunately not for long because they go back to sit with their buddy. Both will explore and run around a large pen made of C&C grids, it's as if having the wire barrier makes them feel safe. Your girls are still young so I would persevere with floor time and see if they get the confidence to enjoy it.
 
Just as the others have said.
Some piggies are more confident than others and so long as the have places to hide, food and can get back to their cage they will slowly build their confidence.
It took my Merab about 3 years before she felt confident enough to leave the piggy room whereas her first cagemate was happy to explore all over the hallway as well as the piggy room.
Time and patience
 
My pigs seem to enjoy floor time in the lounge, but always choose to stay in their bidets outside. I think it's just their pigsonality and prefer to explore where they definitely feel safe. :)

That said, I've had my girlies since January and I'm still seeing them gain confidence even now. Perhaps routine and familiarity in addition to more hiding would help? :)
 
marialuvscavies said:
Hello,
I have had my 2 sows for approximately 4 months now, & they are pretty comfortable around their cage & me for the most part. But when it comes to leaving the cage they aren’t as explorative as other guineas I see online. I tend to limit floor time because they seem to genuinely dislike it, but by putting a time limit am I inhibiting their ability to get comfortable with floor time? I just want to give them the least stressful experience I can. Also is it okay to take your guinea pigs out with you? I’ve heard of many owners taking their pigs along with them on strolls or just to run errands. I understand my sows probably aren’t ready for this, but it this something I can anticipate in the future? Thank you!
Click to expand...
My boar didnt like floor time for about a month. I had to do on lap time first.
 
My piggies love floor time indoors but are not so keen on the outside world. They love to munch the grass but prefer to do this whilst under a cardboard box.
Indoors they are hardly ever still and love to explore but they have plenty of hideys for when it gets scary (usually me sneezing). It took a few months for them to be confident enough to wander around.
 
I have had mine for 2 and a half years now and every day without fail they have floortime. They have an old blanket for floor time. They very rarely go "off rug" even now. One of them may pluck up the courage occasionally and then the others are more likely to follow. If one of them decides to go "off rug", he/she follows the scent trail of the last piggie that was brave enough and do exactly the same lap/hide under the same chair as the others have done. I have hideys especially for floortime that they can hide under for when the big wide world encroaches. Its as if they know the blanket is "safe" as it's their space and everywhere else is scary!
 
My piggies like causing havoc by running around my garden (its secure so they can’t escape) and hiding under this particular plant so I just leave the hutch doors open and wait for them to make their own way back in instead of chasing them every time. Sometimes they don’t and I have to try and get them back in but they tend to like running around the garden (I don’t let them on the grass or stones on the other side of the garden due to having dogs that poo and pee on the grass and I shut my dogs out when they’re out for garden floor time and never leave them out of my sight)
They may never like floor time but if they eventually do, they’ll get used to it. From when I first got mine, they were pretty curious boars anyway, to the point that it was cheeky lol.
 
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