How can I pick up my guinea pigs?

[WheekWheekPop]

I’ve had them for a bit over month and both my pigs seem to be fine with me handing them and stroking the top of their heads. I thought that they would be comfortable with me picking them up, but I had to corner them to do a health check. I’m not sure how I can pick them up without them running away, I try putting my head under them but they just seem to run away, I feel like I’m loosing their trust. They’re fine with me touching and being around them except when I try to pick them up. I would like more tips on picking them up by hand instead of picking their hideys up. Hay and poop gets all over the floor when I pick up their hideys and my piggies are pretty skittish. Any good tips that have worked for you in the past? And how to regain trust maybe?

 

[tatals]

Hey, WheekWheekPop.

Their behavior is completely normal. It's their instinct to run away when we try to pick them up, it doesn't mean they don't trust you, especially if they allow you to pet them - that is actually great.

Eventually, they may be fine with you picking them up. Or not. I think it depends on the pig. Don't get discouraged by their natural behavior. They're prey animals and you're their predator, so it's expected that they will be scared of you.

One of my boars is now reacting very extremely to being picked up, but I'm pretty sure he'll feel less afraid with time.

I hope they become super tamed and learn to come to you meekly.

(By the way, have you checked the guide for handling available on the forum yet?)

 

[Betsy]

I have had my piggies for nearly 3 years and even though I know they trust me completely (I have worked very hard on this which was helped by the following the piggy whispering techniques in this forum) they still hate being picked up. They are prey animals and their instinct is to run so that they don't get eaten. See it as a positive thing wt least they trust you enough to show you how they feel. When @PigglePuggle picked up her Blodwen, Blod was so petrified she played dead.

 

[Veggies Galore]

this is a good thread

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

 

[PigglePuggle]

A good tip I learned from a video @Wiebke posted for picking up piggies in a larger size cage or from floor space is a wicker basket!
So I got 2 woven seagrass waste paper baskets for Christmas, if you bait them with salad leaves the piggies walk straight in

 

[Wiebke]

I’ve had them for a bit over month and both my pigs seem to be fine with me handing them and stroking the top of their heads. I thought that they would be comfortable with me picking them up, but I had to corner them to do a health check. I’m not sure how I can pick them up without them running away, I try putting my head under them but they just seem to run away, I feel like I’m loosing their trust. They’re fine with me touching and being around them except when I try to pick them up. I would like more tips on picking them up by hand instead of picking their hideys up. Hay and poop gets all over the floor when I pick up their hideys and my piggies are pretty skittish. Any good tips that have worked for you in the past? And how to regain trust maybe?

Hi and welcome!

Please take the time to read these two links here; you will find them very helpful in understanding the problem and how to work around it. Picking up is cutting very close to prey animal instincts. Most piggies never enjoy it. Training your piggies to use some kind of conveyance has got a major second advantage: it prevents your guinea pigs to injure themselves badly if they take a freak blind jump and have a nasty fall to the floor or against the cage/hutch.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

These two guides are part of our information package for new owners which addresses specifically all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides