Guinea pig used to let me pet him, but now he runs away.

Vanessa_bee29

Vanessa_bee29

New Born Pup
Joined
Aug 26, 2019
Messages
16
Reaction score
11
Points
140
Location
New Jersey
I recently adopted two male guinea pigs (Roscoe and Darwin) about 3 weeks ago. They are both 2 years old btw. Darwin doesn’t like me petting him and runs away. But Roscoe used to love having me pet him but yesterday I took him out of his cage and now if I even put a finger on him he runs away. I don’t know how to get him out to trust me again.
 
They are actually trusting you more by running away, they now have enough confidence in you not To ‘play dead’ and a t still.

Guinea pigs are prey animals and naturally hate being picked up (well most of them) keep doing what you have been doing giving food at lap times is a great way to build their trust. Interact with the in the car by feeding at the bars. Do things on their terms because that means you are respecting their wishes
 
I use food when I want to play with them. They would let me pet them as long as I wish when I continue to feed them.
Their Oxbow pellets is less messy then veggies or fruits so I put pellets in their mouths while petting them. I can continue to pet them, make them climb on my leg, make them to walk to different places, and order to go back into their cages using pellets.

They get veggies three times a day and small amount of pellets. I like to feed them pellets during play time they spend with me.
 
Last edited:
@sport_billy is right that running away is a sign of growing trust - strange as it sounds.
They feel confident in telling you what they like.

I have a similar experience with my little boar, Micah who came to me nearly 2 months ago as a scared and lonely little boy. Picking him up for health care and cuddles was no problem.
Now he’s happily living with 3 sows and has no intention of allowing me to catch him, cuddle him or give him a health check if he can avoid it

Be patient and gentle with them and let them tell you what is acceptable for them.
 
Vanessa_bee29 said:
I recently adopted two male guinea pigs (Roscoe and Darwin) about 3 weeks ago. They are both 2 years old btw. Darwin doesn’t like me petting him and runs away. But Roscoe used to love having me pet him but yesterday I took him out of his cage and now if I even put a finger on him he runs away. I don’t know how to get him out to trust me again.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

As counter-intuitive as this sounds, but your piggies have started to trust you enough to tell you what they like and what not. We get a fair number of posts at this stage along the lines 'why does my guinea pig suddenly hate me?'

Be proud that you have actually taken the first big hurdle!

Guinea pigs are unfortunately not naturally born cuddly pets as which they are generally perceived. They are much more complex and interested than that! But it also means that you have to be patient and work harder at the beginning and that you have to respect them as an animal species with their own needs and social wiring.

Please take the time to read these links here; they show you how it looks from a guinea pig perspective, how prey animal instincts function and how you can work around them in ways that make total sense to the guinea pigs without you having to wait until your piggies have learned to figure out humans.
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?

These links are all part of our new owners guide collection, which specifically addresses all the issues that we get the most questions and worries about in as practical, step by step and precise a way as possible. You will hopefully find it both very helpful and interesting: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Vanessa_bee29 said:
Thanks for all your helpful answers! I was honestly scared that I made him not like me. I’ll definitely try the food method.
Click to expand...

Please also try the piggy whispering tricks! They are surprisingly effective because you communicate in their language and therefore make sense to them.
 
Food is always the road to a Piggies heart (well actually most animals 😆 and men!) always have a little bit a nasty veg in your hand when you go up to their cage, start with bar feeding, then offering treats in the cage or on your lap, or sit on the floor at floor time too x
 
Bill & Ted said:
Food is always the road to a Piggies heart (well actually most animals 😆 and men!) always have a little bit a nasty veg in your hand when you go up to their cage, start with bar feeding, then offering treats in the cage or on your lap, or sit on the floor at floor time too x
Click to expand...
I do hope that’s a typo and you don’t really mean “nasty” veg!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top