Its Been a Year and My Guinea Pig still isn’t Confortable

RoxyGuineaPigLover

RoxyGuineaPigLover

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Hi, Guinea Pig Forum! I haven’t had any troubles in a while, so I haven’t been here in a few months. I hope you all are doing well. It occurred to me recently that my second guinea pig, Holly, still doesn’t seem comfortable. It’s been pretty much a year since I’ve gotten her, and she still probably spends 3/4 of her day in her igloo sleeping or staring at...whatever she stares at. I’m a little nervous, because when she is out playing she seems perfectly fine. I think it may be because I live with some others in the house, one of particularly loud, and also she didn’t have the best experience when she first came. The worker at the pet store we got her from said that she has multiple and just puts the new ones in right away. I was doubtful but tried this, and for a few months they didn’t get along. Is there any way I can get Holly to not hide in her igloo so much? When I go to pick them up to take them out, Candy comes out and usually doesn’t make a fuss, but Holly refuses to come out and squeaks high-pitched like I’m hurting her..I’m really confused.
 
Guinea pigs are prey animals and picking them up cuts close to that instinct. Not all like or ever get used to being picked up. So maybe you could herd her into a cuddle sack or a box or something, so there’s no direct contact.

As for still being scared, that’s also normal. It takes time for them to get used to you and start trusting you. The girls have been with us for close to 15 months, and one of them used to run away each time I’d go to stroke her. We’ve made progress now because 8/10 she’ll let me stroke her without bolting. I think she does sometimes enjoy it.

Have a read of the thread linked below. It’s about speaking to them in a language they understand. But most of all, have patience. Not all piggies are the same ☺️
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
 
:agr: Completely.
One of my boys, 18 months on, still prefers to run away and hide from me rather than have contact with me.
 
make sure you have plenty of hides maybe even cover part of the cage with a blanket to create a semi-hide area so that she has plenty of spaces to enjoy even if all she wants to do is hide. I've found this has made the world of difference with my boys
 
My girl acts like I'm about to eat her whenever I pick her up, then she's fine & looooves her cuddles...not all of them like being picked up!
 
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