Hates Being Picked Up - Tips?

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mini_alexis

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I have had my male guinea pig, Henry, since April and he is all I have. I can pet him in his cage with no problem at all, he actually quite likes that, and does not run away or become too skittish while he's in the cage - he actually rarely goes inside his house, he prefers to sleep right outside of it or on top of it, so I know he's comfortable around me.

However, whenever I try to get him out of the cage for some lap time or floor time, he just goes MAD! He squirms, fusses, sometimes he nips, and all around becomes super stressed out. When I first got him, I was able to pick him up and he enjoyed lap time - he actually curled up and fell asleep but that only happened once. I haven't been able to figure out what I'm doing wrong so any tips on taming, calming him down, handling extremely squirmy pigs, lap time, etc. I'd really appreciate it!
 
Is there a reason why you have only got one guinea pig? They prefer to live with another pig so you should try and get him a friend. Maybe he will feel more comfortable with a friend. Does he seem in pain at all? Also are you just diving your hands in the cage fast? This could scare him. Maybe let him smell your fingers first and then gently pick him up.
 
Sian25 said:
Is there a reason why you have only got one guinea pig? They prefer to live with another pig so you should try and get him a friend. Maybe he will feel more comfortable with a friend. Does he seem in pain at all? Also are you just diving your hands in the cage fast? This could scare him. Maybe let him smell your fingers first and then gently pick him up.
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I know they prefer to live with another pig, but I just don't have the means right now to get another one unfortunately. I am also afraid that if I were to get another one and they don't get along, which I've had happen before and I went from 1 pig to 3, I'd have to separate them which would defeat the purpose of having bought him a friend. :/
He doesn't appear to be in pain. And no, I'm not just diving in since I know that would scare him a bunch. I start by stroking his head and petting him then slowly trying to get him out that way but as soon as he realizes what I'm trying to do, he still freaks out.
 
mini_alexis said:
I have had my male guinea pig, Henry, since April and he is all I have. I can pet him in his cage with no problem at all, he actually quite likes that, and does not run away or become too skittish while he's in the cage - he actually rarely goes inside his house, he prefers to sleep right outside of it or on top of it, so I know he's comfortable around me.

However, whenever I try to get him out of the cage for some lap time or floor time, he just goes MAD! He squirms, fusses, sometimes he nips, and all around becomes super stressed out. When I first got him, I was able to pick him up and he enjoyed lap time - he actually curled up and fell asleep but that only happened once. I haven't been able to figure out what I'm doing wrong so any tips on taming, calming him down, handling extremely squirmy pigs, lap time, etc. I'd really appreciate it!
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You may find these links here helpful. I would recommend that you look at establishing your dominance over him while at the same time you give him plenty of piggy cuddles (see the tips in links). In the long term, you may want to look at a companion. guinea pigs are social animals and profit from company of their own kind. However, please don't just rush out and get another one.
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
How To Pick Up Your Guinea Pig
Companionship

As we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can always tailor any advice to what is actually available and doable where you are. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.
 
Wiebke said:
You may find these links here helpful. I would recommend that you look at establishing your dominance over him while at the same time you give him plenty of piggy cuddles (see the tips in links). In the long term, you may want to look at a companion. guinea pigs are social animals and profit from company of their own kind. However, please don't just rush out and get another one.
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
How To Pick Up Your Guinea Pig
Companionship

As we have members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can always tailor any advice to what is actually available and doable where you are. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.
Click to expand...

Thank you! This was incredibly helpful. I am going to do more research and see if I am able to accommodate another pig friend for Henry!
 
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mini_alexis said:
Thank you! This was incredibly helpful. I am going to do more research and see if I am able to accommodate another pig friend for Henry!
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There are rescues in New York; I can ask NYC facebook friends where they got their last companion boar from and there are some recommended guinea pig rescues upstate. Are you state or city?
 
Wiebke said:
I ha


There are rescues in New York; I can ask NYC facebook friends where they got their last companion boar from and there are some recommended guinea pig rescues upstate. Are you state or city?
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Oh, my goodness! That would be WONDERFUL! I'm in NYC/Long Island! :D
 
Hey Alexis, is Henry all white by any chance? I saw a lone baby white pig in the middle of long island listed on the pet adoption websites, but he's too far for me to get. Maybe you were the one who adopted him? It sounds familiar. If you look on the pet sites there's a few really good boars in the ny/li area looking to homes. lol I'd adopt them all but I don't have the room! lol
 
scott1 said:
Hey Alexis, is Henry all white by any chance? I saw a lone baby white pig in the middle of long island listed on the pet adoption websites, but he's too far for me to get. Maybe you were the one who adopted him? It sounds familiar. If you look on the pet sites there's a few really good boars in the ny/li area looking to homes. lol I'd adopt them all but I don't have the room! lol
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Nope! He's mostly brown with some white on his snout. Do you have a link I could look at? I've been trying to look and haven't been able to come up with any good results!
 
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