My piggies don't like going outside!

[BellasMummy]

Whenever i put my 2 piggies outside in there run, they always hide in the more enclosed part. They are inside pigs so there is alot of noises that they aren't used to out there.
Is there anything i can do to help them feel more relaxed outside?. I literally have to push them into the grassy bit of the run and sit with them while they eat some grass otherwise they just hide away.

 

[Pogwen]

Maybe a paper bag or something they really like to encourage them to explore? My two love running around tubes and paper bags in their run. Good luck!

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Noise is obviously a factor, mine disappear if the neighbours kids are out, but also their run isn't very big at the moment so they feel quite secure and I literally just kept putting them out til they got use to the squirrels running past, now they are fine. Just give them lots of places to hide in different parts of your outdoor run and they'll soon venture out, plus I don't over feed them when they are going out. Hoorah for the good weather,the trio are happy munching. Good luck.

 

[Wiebke]

I use cardboard boxes or those bendable wooden hides from p@h to give my indoors piggies a chance at getting used to being outdoors.

A towel over the top also helps giving your piggies a feeling of security.

Birds of prey are one of the main predators of guinea pigs, and the instinct of equating exposed = dangerous runs VERY deep.

 

[ginger piggy]

my two boys Rowdee and Gavin are indoor piggies and went outside for the first time on tuesday. I put a pigloo on the run and the two sat inside it for the best part of half an hour. they seemed really scared. I then put a towel in the run and they ran and sat under it and then began to eat the grass.
I sat by them the whole time as i dont have my own garden and live in a flat so have to use the communal outside area rolleyes
i'm hoping they'll get the hand of the green stuff sfter a few more times in the outside world.
good luck with your piggies x

 

[Tracyxx]

This might seem like a silly suggestion but could you put a radio on to play music in the background? I have found that noise like this seems to show them there is a human around, and they are quite safe.

Also try putting a bottom-less pigloo for them to hide in. They can learn to eat the grass while feeling safe and will probably start to gradually gain confidence to venture outside the pigloo.

Try and make the run feel like 'home' rather than a strange, scary space. I always put brown paper bags in there for them to rip apart and play with, as well as their usual water bottle and food dish.

 

[BellasMummy]

The run they are in isn't very big so that shouldn't be an issue. I have already covered them up with a blanket. I will definitely put there bendy stick things in the run too.
I really hope it works as they are missing the nice weather and I'm having to bring grass inside to them!
Sixth time lucky! i hope