Handling/picking up with hands

[Lisha]

Hi,

Just looking for a bit if advice please. I love having my 2 guinea pigs, they are 3 months old and sisters.

They come upto my hand and allow me to hand feed. Also if we're in an enclosed are and I'm sitting down with them climb up on to my lap to be handed. When I'm handling them I tend to pick them up via a tunnel or cuddle cup and then transfer them into my lap which has a fleece on top in case of accidents or poops.

As a whole I don't pick them up with my hands for 2 reasons. The first being they get scared and wriggly so I dont want to hurt them and the second being I dont like the feel of nails scratching on my hands.

I'm 19 and am quite content having them in my lap and stroking them, sitting in their run and interacting with them and watching them play in their cage for the many many years I hope to have them.

I feel bad that I cant/dont pick them up but it's not something I'm comfortable with. We took them to the vets and she picked them up and they were no problem with her so I'm glad they're fine to be picked up with hands for any health checks, but is what I'm doing going to have a negative impact?

All help welcome, thank you in advance for any advice x

 

[Siikibam]

Not picking them up with your hands is fine. It’s better that way than to stress them out by chasing them around the cage etc. I pick up with my hands after ‘cornering’ them or them getting inside a hide.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hi, it sounds like what you are doing is fine, piggies much prefer being picked up via a tunnel! Dont be misled by youtube videos where it looks like grabbing an uncomplaining guinea pig is normal, piggies that let you do that are very rare! We have 8 piggies and 2 of them ever let us pick them straight up and even then it depends what mood they are in! It is much less stressful for them to do exactly what you are doing now, letting them interact with you on their own terms

 

[piggieminder]

You may find this link helpful
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

 

[Lisha]

Hi, it sounds like what you are doing is fine, piggies much prefer being picked up via a tunnel! Dont be misled by youtube videos where it looks like grabbing an uncomplaining guinea pig is normal, piggies that let you do that are very rare! We have 8 piggies and 2 of them ever let us pick them straight up and even then it depends what mood they are in! It is much less stressful for them to do exactly what you are doing now, letting them interact with you on their own terms

Thanks so much this really helps and makes me feel better and it's exactly what I've been doing they seem to pick them up so effortlessly so thank you this is the first time I've had guinea pigs. Thanks so much

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

Just looking for a bit if advice please. I love having my 2 guinea pigs, they are 3 months old and sisters.

They come upto my hand and allow me to hand feed. Also if we're in an enclosed are and I'm sitting down with them climb up on to my lap to be handed. When I'm handling them I tend to pick them up via a tunnel or cuddle cup and then transfer them into my lap which has a fleece on top in case of accidents or poops.

As a whole I don't pick them up with my hands for 2 reasons. The first being they get scared and wriggly so I dont want to hurt them and the second being I dont like the feel of nails scratching on my hands.

I'm 19 and am quite content having them in my lap and stroking them, sitting in their run and interacting with them and watching them play in their cage for the many many years I hope to have them.

I feel bad that I cant/dont pick them up but it's not something I'm comfortable with. We took them to the vets and she picked them up and they were no problem with her so I'm glad they're fine to be picked up with hands for any health checks, but is what I'm doing going to have a negative impact?

All help welcome, thank you in advance for any advice x

Hi!

Here is our hands-off picking up guide (with videos and pictures): How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
Which is the way we recommend to pick up piggies.

 

[Zanzan]

I have had guinea pigs for years and always pick them up with a tunnel. I would find trying to get them with my hands too stressful for me and them. Them panicking if you try and pick them up is about their natural instincts, nothing to do with you doing anything wrong. Sounds like they have a lovely relationship with you!

 

[David Piggie Lover]

hello and welcome .
I use a cuddle bag to pick up me piggies

 

[Black piggies]

Sounds perfect what you're doing. They can be frozen with fear at the vets and comply, then when you try to do what the vet does, it's no way José!

 

[flowerfairy]

I use my hands. They refuse to go into tunnels, having been caught that way in the past!

 

[Betsy]

My Handsome Silver Fox Christian does a little a protest run then I can pick him up. He's used to it as I have to weigh him daily for a back problem and adjust his Metacam accordingly. Shy Little Meg dashes into a hidey so I can pick her up. The Ever Beautiful Betsy has cataracts so can't see very well and sometimes runs off but most of the time will just sit there and let me pick her up and Dennis is my little Cutey Pie and after a bit of a run lets me pick him up. Do whatever your piggies are happy with. Let them guide you.

 

[Darcey15]

Half of my pigs let me pick them up, the others I use an upturned pigloo if I need to and the final pig...well she's just something else. I think she actually thinks she's a dog. Runs off turns her head to check you're still trying and shrieks before running off again. Maybe if I chuck her a stick she might comply! I waste more time trying to catch her than all the other 5 put together & it usually ends up me crashing through C&C or getting my head stuck. You are doing just fine .

 

[Lisha]

Thank you so much for your kind words and advice you've made me feel so reassured. We absolutely adore them both and love making them happy. They've got their big cage and then a play pen as well only had them 1 month and I'm already wrapped round their tiny paws

 

[Darcey15]

Thank you so much for your kind words and advice you've made me feel so reassured. We absolutely adore them both and love making them happy. They've got their big cage and then a play pen as well only had them 1 month and I'm already wrapped round their tiny paws

Love those pics! They look like they've taken over your heart as well as your house .

Love your finger nails too!

 

[Lisha]

Love those pics! They look like they've taken over your heart as well as your house .

Love your finger nails too!

Awh they truly have believe me. And thank you us piggy parents deserve some pampering too xx