Holding guinea pigs

Jessica Harris

Jessica Harris

New Born Pup
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Hello everyone,
What is people's thoughts on holding guinea pigs are you meant to do it is it nessecary and can it have an impact if you don't or do piggies prefer being left alone and not held I have been wondering for a while and can't figure it out
 
It comes down to each individual piggy.
My two do not like being held therefore I do not do it - I don’t see any point in holding them when it is stressful for them. The only time they are held is during nail clips, health checks and preparing to weigh them.
They are happiest if I sit in their shed with them and let them potter around me. One will climb on my legs and both of them are happy to have a head or chin scratch and will take food from my hand but otherwise they don’t like to be held.
 
Piggies&buns said:
It comes down to each individual piggy.
My two do not like being held therefore I do not do it - I don’t see any point in holding them when it is stressful for them. The only time they are held is during nail clips, health checks and preparing to weigh them.
They are happiest if I sit in their shed with them and let them potter around me. One will climb on my legs and both of them are happy to have a head or chin scratch and will take food from my hand but otherwise they don’t like to be held.
Click to expand...
Okay thank you for this response
One piggy seems to squeak loads when being held and don't know if that's a sign of stress but when he's in the cage I can happily stroke him and touch him fine
And my other piggy won't let you stroke her in the cage but cuddles up to you when held but poos loads as well

Is any of that a sign of stress or are they okay
 
I had a piggy who had been traumatised by something before I got him and so I left him alone, he settled nicely, gradually accepted patting in the cage, I never picked him up. When he became dental and sick and couldn't eat at all, the weeks I tried to force feed him syringe feeds and give meds and keep him alive, while he was terrified with all the handling, was so upsetting. After that, once or twice a week, I pick up my piggies for weighing or nail clipping etc, even if brief and they don't like it much.
 
I think if she squeals loads I would try and get her out with her friend. It may be she’s looking for her. Or she doesn’t want to be held. If she doesn’t like it I would just leave it.
 
Jessica Harris said:
Hello everyone,
What is people's thoughts on holding guinea pigs are you meant to do it is it nessecary and can it have an impact if you don't or do piggies prefer being left alone and not held I have been wondering for a while and can't figure it out
Click to expand...

Most piggies don't like being held for long; usually about 5-15 minutes and they get wiggly and are looking for their chage - if you allow them to tell you their wishes and respect them.
Some will never come to more than tolerating any necessary grooming and a quick cuddle even though they will trust implicitly; especially when they are ill and rely on your care, and appreciate it.
Then there are some that love to be made a fuss of.

Cherish if you have a cuddler or a piggy kisser but be aware that guinea pigs are so much more than animated cuddly toys and that you can interact and make friends with all your piggies in much more interesting and mutually satisfactory ways through shared enrichment activities and by communicating in their social language to enter their own fascinating world and not just expect them to learn to figure out humans and how to be the perfect human toy. Enrichment goes way beyond an expensive new pet shop chewing toy your piggies lose interest in after five minutes!

Please take the time to read the green guide links below. You may find them a bit of an eye opener and the door to spending lots of enjoyable time with each other on more equal terms. Some piggies will still be more forward than others but you can build up a much deeper relationship with all of them.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
 
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