Hello, All!
I hate to write this, but I am very sad and I am hoping that someone can give me some advice. The truth is, I am not enjoying my guinea pigs. Here’s my story:
I love all animals and love being a pet owner. I have had cats, dogs, fish, and mice. They all died from old age and had happy lives. I believe no one should get a pet unless they are prepared to give that animal everything it needs to thrive.
I researched guinea pig ownership for about 2 months before actually setting up a cage and getting ready to bring a new little friend home. I read that guinea pigs are friendly and almost never bite. Many people talk about how their pigs enjoy sitting on them while they watch t.v. or enjoy running around during “floor time”. I read that they are active and inquisitive. I also read that they are easy to care for, although I knew better than to think that cleaning a large cage would be “easy”. I thought I knew what I was getting into and went to the local rescue group to adopt some pigs.
The male that was shown to me was described by the shelter worker as “super sweet” although he bit my shirt. The shelter worker said that was a “love nibble” and meant that he was happy. I now know that biting a shirt means “put me down – now – before I bite harder!” The story of his surrender to the shelter was that his cage was in the bathroom to keep him away from the family dog and after keeping him for a year and a half, they did not feel it was fair to keep him in the bathroom any longer.
So, he came home with me to an 8 ft x 2.5 ft cage, located in a spot in the living room where he could interact with the family but still be away enough to not feel exposed and in danger. I understand they are prey animals and need to feel protected.
I soon learned that although he enjoys being petted, he absolutely hates to be held. He will bite if I try to hold him longer than about 2 seconds. I brought him to the vet to see if he was okay and he is fine. Just cranky. He really does not enjoy floor time either. He just sits there, no matter what I put down for him to eat or explore.
I thought perhaps he needed a friend, so I brought him back to the shelter where they helped me to match him up with a baby male. He nipped a few before finally deciding that one was acceptable. The one that he seemed to like, we brought home.
This was about a year and a half ago. Neither pig enjoys being held. The one still bites and the other runs away from being touched at all. If I do manage to grab him and hold him, he shivers the whole time like he is just sure he is going to be eaten at any moment. Truthfully, because of this reaction, I don’t have the heart to force myself on him very often. Perhaps he would get used to me eventually if I handled him more often, but I can’t stand the idea that I am making a little animal so terrified just because I want to hold it, so I pick him up only when I clean the cage or have to do nail trims, etc.
The other problem I have is that both pigs are extremely inactive. They just don’t do much. I have put all kinds of things in their cage to pique their interest, but to no avail. Unless it is food, or somewhere to hide they don’t care about it at all. Floor time is not a treat for them. They huddle together and look miserable the whole time.
What am I doing wrong? Why are my pigs not charming, friendly creatures like everyone else says they are? I am giving them excellent care from what I have researched (large cage, proper guinea pig toys, unlimited fresh good quality hay, pellets, fresh vegetables every day, clean unlimited water, etc.). They are not harassed by other pets or family. They are kept clean and are given opportunities to exercise and explore (of which they do not avail themselves).
My apologies for the long post, but I really want to enjoy these little guys. I don’t want to feel like they are just a chore and a mistake. Please help me figure out what I can do to get them to “come out of their shells” and do more than just eat, sleep, and poop.
Thank you.
I hate to write this, but I am very sad and I am hoping that someone can give me some advice. The truth is, I am not enjoying my guinea pigs. Here’s my story:
I love all animals and love being a pet owner. I have had cats, dogs, fish, and mice. They all died from old age and had happy lives. I believe no one should get a pet unless they are prepared to give that animal everything it needs to thrive.
I researched guinea pig ownership for about 2 months before actually setting up a cage and getting ready to bring a new little friend home. I read that guinea pigs are friendly and almost never bite. Many people talk about how their pigs enjoy sitting on them while they watch t.v. or enjoy running around during “floor time”. I read that they are active and inquisitive. I also read that they are easy to care for, although I knew better than to think that cleaning a large cage would be “easy”. I thought I knew what I was getting into and went to the local rescue group to adopt some pigs.
The male that was shown to me was described by the shelter worker as “super sweet” although he bit my shirt. The shelter worker said that was a “love nibble” and meant that he was happy. I now know that biting a shirt means “put me down – now – before I bite harder!” The story of his surrender to the shelter was that his cage was in the bathroom to keep him away from the family dog and after keeping him for a year and a half, they did not feel it was fair to keep him in the bathroom any longer.
So, he came home with me to an 8 ft x 2.5 ft cage, located in a spot in the living room where he could interact with the family but still be away enough to not feel exposed and in danger. I understand they are prey animals and need to feel protected.
I soon learned that although he enjoys being petted, he absolutely hates to be held. He will bite if I try to hold him longer than about 2 seconds. I brought him to the vet to see if he was okay and he is fine. Just cranky. He really does not enjoy floor time either. He just sits there, no matter what I put down for him to eat or explore.
I thought perhaps he needed a friend, so I brought him back to the shelter where they helped me to match him up with a baby male. He nipped a few before finally deciding that one was acceptable. The one that he seemed to like, we brought home.
This was about a year and a half ago. Neither pig enjoys being held. The one still bites and the other runs away from being touched at all. If I do manage to grab him and hold him, he shivers the whole time like he is just sure he is going to be eaten at any moment. Truthfully, because of this reaction, I don’t have the heart to force myself on him very often. Perhaps he would get used to me eventually if I handled him more often, but I can’t stand the idea that I am making a little animal so terrified just because I want to hold it, so I pick him up only when I clean the cage or have to do nail trims, etc.
The other problem I have is that both pigs are extremely inactive. They just don’t do much. I have put all kinds of things in their cage to pique their interest, but to no avail. Unless it is food, or somewhere to hide they don’t care about it at all. Floor time is not a treat for them. They huddle together and look miserable the whole time.
What am I doing wrong? Why are my pigs not charming, friendly creatures like everyone else says they are? I am giving them excellent care from what I have researched (large cage, proper guinea pig toys, unlimited fresh good quality hay, pellets, fresh vegetables every day, clean unlimited water, etc.). They are not harassed by other pets or family. They are kept clean and are given opportunities to exercise and explore (of which they do not avail themselves).
My apologies for the long post, but I really want to enjoy these little guys. I don’t want to feel like they are just a chore and a mistake. Please help me figure out what I can do to get them to “come out of their shells” and do more than just eat, sleep, and poop.
Thank you.
