Guinea pig won't let me pet her

[gmsong]

Both of my guinea pigs bolt away when I try to pet them. I know a lot of you will say its a time issue, but I have had them for almost a year so I don't think its that. They have floortime and veggies. So what's the problem?

 

[Siikibam]

How do you approach them when you’re trying to stroke them? Do you speak, do you go in quietly, does your hand loom large over them or do you approach in their line of vision?

One time you could try stroking them is when they’re eating. And maybe say thank you in a nice voice, then give them a treat (parsley or something else).

Have you ever been able to stroke them?

 

[squeaksandcarrots]

Cocoa took months before I could even have my hand near her. Some piggies just take more time to open up. As asked above, do you try petting them from above? Or how do you approach them? I'd suggest giving them lap time, that's how I got to bond with Cocoa. After some time, she knew my hand wasn't this scary thing and now she lets me pet her. Time and patience is everything

 

[Lady Kelly]

I agree with the above and also will just add that some piggies just aren't cuddly animals and don't want to be fussed. Daisy will allow me to pet her as long as its a nose rub or scratch behind the ear (and as long as I don't sneak up on her) but anything further back from her neck is a no. Donald will allow similar but mostly chin rubs. Lily and Poppy freak out if my hand gets within 5 cm or more of them

 

[gmsong]

I tried petting her while she was eating but she just bolts away and I do go in talking.

 

[Merab]

Have you read the piggy whispering thread?
It's very helpful.

Sometimes you just have to let a piggy be until it comes to realise that you are not going to eat it.
My Phoebe will tolerate a head scratch if I'm sitting at her level and she's in the cage.
Anything else is a definite no-no as far as she's concerned which does make weighing and trips to the vet nurse for trimming the nails a bit stressful

 

[Wiebke]

Both of my guinea pigs bolt away when I try to pet them. I know a lot of you will say its a time issue, but I have had them for almost a year so I don't think its that. They have floortime and veggies. So what's the problem?

Hi!

Guinea pigs are prey animals and not instant animated cuddly toys. When given the choice, most are not keen on cuddles although they can come to tolaterate any necessary handling/grooming and a usually short cuddle. In particular, most piggies do not want to be petted when they are in the cage or are free-roaming, as much as they trust you. Check with yourself whether your expectations have been wrongly fuelled by watching all those cute videos of people showing off theor exceptions because they are exceptions!
As with so much stuff online, there is no balance - you hear and see either the horror stories or the success stories, but you never hear and see much of the sheer normality.

Please be aware that picking up guinea pigs is cutting very close to their prey animal instincts.

Please take the time to read the guides links below. they teach you about how to understand how the various prey animal instincts function, how you can work around them and avoid coming across as a predator, as well as how you can use their own social behaviour to make friends with them in a way that makes sense to them (piggy whispering). Piggies generally calm down a lot when you tell them in their language that you want to friends and that you want them to part of your group.
It is also important to create a daily routine with calls that have each got a distinctive melody. Make them come to you for food and praise lavishly. When to talk to them, let it be a gentle stream. Be aware that your guinea pigs react more to the emotion you put in your voice than to the words.
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

PS: I have moved your thread to the New Owners section where we deal with all the human-guinea pig interactive issues.

 

[Caris]

Did you try and pet them while they were eating their food, or while you were feeding them? This can make a big difference!

I've only had my two for a few months, but the things that worked (and are still working) for me were that when I started off just offering them food, I held it by just the tips of my fingers, keeping my hand as small as possible (and therefore contact between me and them to a minimal). When they were comfortable with that, I drew further and further away when offering them food so that they had to come to me for the food and initiate contact. When they were happy with that, I started putting food on the palm of my hand so that they had to touch my hand/get even closer to me in order to get it. When both were happy with that, that's when I started stroking them (really slow and light touches) and just gradually extending the time. Arthur, my more skittish guinea pig weirdly, is absolutely fine with me patting him now, and Merlin is getting more confident with it. If they move away and break contact at any point, I stop and back off. I only ever do it on their terms.

Also! What's their favourite food? Mine are meh with veggies as treats (they have them daily, but it's not what they obsess over). They, however, love, love, love, go crazy and will do anything for Harringtons pellets, so these are what I always use. I just have to move close to the bag and they come running and wheeking.

 

[Scuttle2]

I agree with the above.
Try talking softly to them when you enter the room. Move your hand, palm facing away, slowly towards them in their line of vision (if possible put your hand in through a door in the side of the huch, not the roof) and make sure you keep talking. If she bolts leave her for a while then try this method again but with a treat in your hand.
If she lets you touch her, calmly stroke her - don't pick her up straight away.

Also, try hand feeding her through the bars or being around the cage in general as this will help her get used to you.

Hope this helps!

 

[gmsong]

Did you try and pet them while they were eating their food, or while you were feeding them? This can make a big difference!

I've only had my two for a few months, but the things that worked (and are still working) for me were that when I started off just offering them food, I held it by just the tips of my fingers, keeping my hand as small as possible (and therefore contact between me and them to a minimal). When they were comfortable with that, I drew further and further away when offering them food so that they had to come to me for the food and initiate contact. When they were happy with that, I started putting food on the palm of my hand so that they had to touch my hand/get even closer to me in order to get it. When both were happy with that, that's when I started stroking them (really slow and light touches) and just gradually extending the time. Arthur, my more skittish guinea pig weirdly, is absolutely fine with me patting him now, and Merlin is getting more confident with it. If they move away and break contact at any point, I stop and back off. I only ever do it on their terms.

Also! What's their favourite food? Mine are meh with veggies as treats (they have them daily, but it's not what they obsess over). They, however, love, love, love, go crazy and will do anything for Harringtons pellets, so these are what I always use. I just have to move close to the bag and they come running and wheeking.

I pet them while they eat

 

[tatals]

I've tried many things, and a lot of them worked, but I may be just lucky. One of the things I did was offer them pellets - they love it, so at that time I offered it as a treat while 'training' - ugh - them. So I would take a handful, put my closed hand in their cage, and wait for them to come. They soon learned there were pellets in it - by smell, I think -, and as soon as they touched my hand, I opened it. I kept doing this, and they got braver and braver touching my hand to open it. It wasn't a long before they were sitting or standing right on my hand while eating, and I could soon start chin rubbing them when they let my fingers free, haha.

Now, it's important to mention I was always sitting or lying on their level, so I guess my hand wasn't super scary.

Nowadays I allow them time by my side every day. For example, on a couch. I've seen people concerned about pigs jumping, but mine never tried to. So while they're exploring or eating a treat, they allow me to pet them on their head, chin, nose and back. They lie down and stretch.

Again, I may just be very lucky, but my pigs were super skittish at first, and it improved after I used the whispering guide, so I guess it did the trick.