Guinea Pigs Nervous After Move

[Piggie Life]

I have two Guinea Pigs, Fudge & Aero and they both used to live outside in a hutch but then I found out the benefits of C&C Cages and now they both live inside in my bedroom. I put them in there yesterday and they haven't touched their hay or dried food and they have only eaten vegetables and that's because I placed them at the entrance of their tunnel. They don't seem to want to leave their tunnel. Also when I'm in the room they will just freeze in their tunnel and not move at all. How can I help them to be less nervous around me and also help them explore their cage instead of just hiding in their tunnel. I though about removing their tunnel but that seems really harsh to remove the only hiding place they have.

 

[Wiebke]

Give them time and follow your usual routine. Talk to them a lot, enccourage and praise them. New territory is always potentially dangerous and hostile to prey animals. Try not to stoop over them like a predator ready to pounce and chat as soon as you come into the room - somebody who announces their arrival is not in hunting mode!

I give any new piggies 2-3 days just to get their bearings and a few weeks to settle in.

 

[Piggie Life]

Give them time and follow your usual routine. Talk to them a lot, enccourage and praise them. New territory is always potentially dangerous and hostile to prey animals. Try not to stoop over them like a predator ready to pounce and chat as soon as you come into the room - somebody who announces their arrival is not in hunting mode!

I give any new piggies 2-3 days just to get their bearings and a few weeks to settle in.

Thanks for the reassuring reply. What should I do about their eating though as they aren't eating their hay?

 

[Wiebke]

Put some close to the tunnel for the night, but hopefully, they will come out to forage during the night when they feel safe. They won't perish if they don't eat as much as they usually do for a day or two; they'll make up for it afterwards!

 

[Shellza]

It may be an idea to get some more hideys too as then they will feel more comfortable exploring. Even an upturned shoe box with a hole cut in it will do .I use them and then fill them with hay. I also do the same with paper bags. That will help beat the not eating problem too .

 

[Piggie Life]

It may be an idea to get some more hideys too as then they will feel more comfortable exploring. Even an upturned shoe box with a hole cut in it will do .I use them and then fill them with hay. I also do the same with paper bags. That will help beat the not eating problem too .

I was looking at those Cosy Sacks which look really nice for Guinea Pigs to hide out and maybe if I place a place to hide out near their food they won't be so nervous as they won't have to leave their hiding place by far to reach their food.

 

[Piggie Life]

It may be an idea to get some more hideys too as then they will feel more comfortable exploring. Even an upturned shoe box with a hole cut in it will do .I use them and then fill them with hay. I also do the same with paper bags. That will help beat the not eating problem too .

Also are Paper Bags safe for Guinea Pigs if they nibble a bit of the paper?

 

[Connie]

as long as they are plain brown and not covered in ink they love them!

 

[Wiebke]

Brown paperbags are safe.

If you wish, you can also peg a beach towel over part of the set up to provide a feel of safety - like a link between the tunnel and the hay area. Guinea pigs are naturally very wary of open spaces as they are most vulnerable to ground and aerial predators when they are exposed.