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Harry and Topsy

Junior Guinea Pig
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Jul 29, 2019
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Hi everyone,

I am a been guinea pig owner. We picked up our 2 males yesterday (brothers)
I have a 6 year old daughter who was so excited to cuddle and play with them however they won’t let us anywhere near them. We literally can’t even touch them. I no it’s really early days but I didnt think they would be this nervous. I keep going in and talking to them with lots of leafy greens. In the hope they gain my trust! Please someone tell me it gets better 🙈
 
It gets better! They’ve only just arrived in their new home. Give them some time to settle in. Don’t rush touching them. I have always found that sitting next to their cage talking to them and hand offering appropriate amounts of veg works best! When we got back into guinea pigs one of our girls came out of her shell within a few weeks, the other took a good couple months. Be patient before you know it you’ll see their adorable personalities!
 
I have only had my piggies for eight months 2 sows and one is already pretty much completely tame the other one is taking more time but with a lot of hugging and time also food they are getting better I’m sure yours will to it although it can take different lengths of time depending on the piggy
 
Thank you, I think we are all a little too impatient! Poor little things! We will get there with time I’m sure
 
Harry and Topsy said:
Hi everyone,

I am a been guinea pig owner. We picked up our 2 males yesterday (brothers)
I have a 6 year old daughter who was so excited to cuddle and play with them however they won’t let us anywhere near them. We literally can’t even touch them. I no it’s really early days but I didnt think they would be this nervous. I keep going in and talking to them with lots of leafy greens. In the hope they gain my trust! Please someone tell me it gets better 🙈
Click to expand...
This was me 3 weeks ago! I also have a 6 year old and we’ve been sitting by their hutch and chatting, I get them out for grass nibbling. Yesterday we had a lovely cuddle with both and today for the first time they took food from my hand! I’m so happy!
Persevere and they’ll get there.
 

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Welcome to the forum.
Guinea pigs are prey animals so their default position is: You’re going to eat me!
This is why they take time, patience and gentleness to feel safe.
Food is the way to a piggy heart - once they associate you with good things to eat they will come to trust you
 
If you read the new owners guide on this forum there is lots of very useful information and tips that you will find very handy. It also explains why your pigs are acting the way they are and what to do about it. Good luck!
 
Food is definitely the way forward. Always have a tiny treat whenever you go to them a push it through the bars, they will soon be eating out of your hand. Spend time by their cage and always talk quietly and move very slowly. Don’t give up, they will come round x
 
I got my baby boys at the end of May and left them for two days then started to handle them every day for 10-15 minutes. Just sitting, chatting to them, stroking their noses over and over and they warmed up pretty quickly. Try putting something that smells of you (like a hoodie) over their cage so they get used to your scent. They’ll warm up!
 
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