Looking For General Advice

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Emz20

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Hi I'm new to this site and also a new owner of a guinea pig so looking for advice. I adopted my male guinea pig 3 days ago, he came from a home where he wasn't getting out a lot so they wanted to re home him. He's about age 2 or so, I'm not really sure. Anyway, he is very very timid which I understand most guinea pigs are. The day I got him I took him out for a cuddle but not for long and put him back in. The following day I brought him out for a cuddle again and I also bought a playpen so he has time out of the cage so I put him in there for an hour or so before putting him back in. I'm not sure that he really enjoyed it, he seems content in his cage and house tbh. Yesterday I got him a new cage and house and left him there all day with no handling because I felt like he needed time to settle and was making unhappy purring noises. So today is a new day and he is petrified of me. Where should I go from here? Should I handle him today at all or leave him be to settle. Am I doing the right things? Sorry such a long post
 
Try talking to him each day so he gets used to your voice then he may totter out of hideys whilst you're there :)
 
Thanks. I do talk to him and I also tread very lightly so not to startle him. He is in my living room so that he is always around me and my 2 kids to get used to us. How should I handle him?
 
I would stop handling him for now. Spend some time by his cage talking to him. Then move on to letting him see you place food into the cage near his hidey so he knows your hand brings good stuff. Then place the food further away so he has to come out of his hidey to get it. Then start trying to get him to take it from your hand. Once he gains confidence you can start trying to stroke him in the safety of his cage before moving onto finally cuddling him. It is a lengthy process but as it sounds like he isn't used to being handled it will take him a while to get used to humans.

However - the absolute BEST thing you can do to help him is to get him a piggy friend. He will be so much braver and happier with a pal to talk to. There is a reputable rescue locator at the top of the page so you can find him a piggy that he likes rather than risking it with a pet shop bought piggy.
 
When I first got mine they were terrified, they use to run in of I even went near the hutch, or heard me coming. I found feeding veggies helps, if you hand feed him a bit of carrot or whatever cucumber, anything, maybe his favourite veggie he'll associate you will food and treats and yummy good things! He may not take it directly from you at fiest but if you try and see if he'll take it from you, then if not just leave it by the entrance of the hidey he's in, it will have the same effect :)

Also what AbiS said, iI found talking to them really helps, everytime you go into the room start talking even if its just really low, just above a wisper, mine are in our backroom so they become very familiar with our voices, and particularly the fridge door as well...
 
Welcome to the forum.

As above posters have already said, you guinea pig will settle . He doesn't hate you ! Guinea pigs are prey animals so they instinctively hide away in an situation where they are unsure if they are safe. It'll take a little time for him to develop a trust in you - so, please be patient. There are lots of useful threads on here . Here are some links ...

Quick Information Bundle For Wannabe Owners

" Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners


Where are you based ? We have members from all over the world and it is useful to know whether you live in the UK/Us or elsewhere - with some indication of what region you live in - if you are happy to let us know . This means we can tailor advice for you.

I look forward to hearing more about your boar and how he settles.
 
Thanks for all your replies. They help me feel that I'm not being a rubbish owner. His cage isn't really big enough for 2 and I wasn't sure how that would go down introducing him to another pig and confusing him more. I feel so bad for him because he seems so scared.
I live in Scotland. I don't have a lot of room for a bigger cage which is why I bought a playpen for him to play in also
 
It's the one bigger than the pet shop guinea pig ones. Think it's called rabbit 100, so about 100cm x 55cm
 
Hmm yes - too small for 2 piggies - they need a minimum of 120 x 60. You could look at building a c&c cage then you could build up instead of out to give more space. I can't really advise on those as I don't have a c&c. Possibly worth thinking about as piggies really do need a piggy friend of their own x
 
I had been looking at those ones actually but he is a really fat piggie and couldn't even get up on the platform that was holding his food so I took it down for him.
 
I look at him and my heart melts. He's letting me stroke him while he is out eating his food from the bowl. Maybe tomorrow I could try get him back out to play.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Some excellent replies above. Piggies are prey animals and take a while to get used to you. Feeding in the cage is a great way to gain their trust.

When you do take them out this video shows you an easy way to pick them up which is stress free for you and them

 
Hello and well done you for taking him on, he sounds quite a character. He has gone through several changes of environment recently, so will still be adjusting to new smells and sounds. Patience is key with guinea pigs. Good luck with your continued be-friending of your new piggy:nod:.
 
I think I am going to re home to someone who already has pigs and space where he can enjoy life a bit better. I feel like he is unhappy and would be better off with an owner with other guinea pigs.
 
I agree he would be better off with companionship of guinea pigs . Have you decided you don't want to be a guinea pig owner ? I know you felt your cage is not big enough for 2 but, we could look at ways of giving 2 a bit more space.
 
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