Question about handling piggies

[Cute_Guineapigs]

Hi

I've had my 2 boar piggies for 3 weeks. They are between 1-2 years of age. They are lovely piggies, but I do have a question about handling them.

They have a separate cage and pen, so I have to pick them up to move them from cage to pen daily for exercise. For the first week, they were quite good about being picked up (maybe nervous so just froze?), but now they are more confident, they are getting better at avoiding my hands.

I know piggies are skittish animals, and do rush around, but they seem to get stressed out whilst I'm trying to catch them, and sometimes they kick my hands and a couple of times, they've gone to bite but not actually done that yet.

Once they are in my arms, they are fine and settle down. What can I do to reduce stress? I'm used to rabbits, who just sit there to be picked up, guinea pigs are new to me. Should I get them used to being picked up several times a day, or should I just try and catch them as quickly as possible?

 

[bubble&squeak4ever]

Hello!
Most piggies get used to be handled and being picked up after a while and seeing as you've only had them 3 weeks, they are probably still not used to it.
You could try lifting them up in a cosy bed or upside down pigloo....this way they won't panic. Regular handling helps too.
Hope that helped x

 

[PipandPop]

When we were getting our pigs to get used to being picked up we found that they were less wiggly if you were confident about picking them up and not only supported their bellies but their bums as well. All we have to do now is slide our hand into their cage and they will happily climb on.

 

[Stewybus]

I agree with bubble&squeak4ever about using a cosy bed or something similar which they'll get into then you just lift it with them inside.