I've had my piggy for 2 months now and he has gotten so much more sociable. We do floor time every day and he usually hangs around and sniffs me, licks me, climbs on my legs and let's me pet him. Hes definitely gotten more confident and comfortable with me, but he still hates being held. I know alot of guinea pis hate being picked up then are fine, but even once I'm holding him he's fine for about 20 seconds then starts wiggling trying to get away. Should I give him more space to get used to me or should I keep picking him up even though he hates it? I don't want him to not trust me and be suspicious all the time that I'm going to pick him up, but I do want him to get used to it to help for care or vet visits. Any experience with getting past this stage?
Should I hold my guinea pig until he gets used to it?
- Thread starter Gingers
- Start date
I personally only hold animals if they want to be held. To me, there is little point in forcing a prey animal to be held.
My own two boys (been with me for three years) do not like being picked up or being handled. They are, however, comfortable to be around me - come to see me, happy to go about their piggy business when I’m in their shed etc. They tolerate handling for their weekly health and weight checks - about 5 minutes of handling is enough for them so I don’t push it.
My own two boys (been with me for three years) do not like being picked up or being handled. They are, however, comfortable to be around me - come to see me, happy to go about their piggy business when I’m in their shed etc. They tolerate handling for their weekly health and weight checks - about 5 minutes of handling is enough for them so I don’t push it.
Bradshaw Piggies
Forum Donator 2023/24
My boys are exactly the same.
I wouldn’t force it either. Have you tried covering them with a blanket or putting them in a cuddle sack so they feel a bit more comfortable? They might sit on you for a little bit longer. Then you could put them away when they get fidgety.
YorkshireLass
Junior Guinea Pig
My boars are two years old and one still hates being held for any length of time, even though you would think he’d be used to being groomed etc by now. The other one will sometimes fall asleep on me, other times he is also eager to get away. The first one doesn’t seem to get used to it however much I have tried over the years. However they are often happy to come right up to me if I sit beside their cage, chattering away and usually letting me stroke their heads. Oddbods.
Thanks, that's kinda how mine is. He's social as long as it's on his terms. I don't want to force it or make him suspicious but I'm hoping he grows out of it. He's still young (about 6 months) so maybe we'll get there.
Thanks! Glad it's not just mine being stubborn.
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
I try to get my piggies to tolerate being held for a short time, because going to the vet, giving medicine etc. is much more stress, if they are not used to being held at all.
My Odi is also extremley fidgety. He wasn't used to being held at all when he moved in last year in September. So at first I tried to hold him for a really short time and put him back before he started to fidget. That was really short, just a few seconds. Then I started to hold him just a little bit longer. Ideally he should never start to fidget, but the timing doesn't always work out.
Now we are up to a few minutes depending on his mood. On some days he enjoys a good chin rub or being told what a great boy he is. Sometimes wrapping him up a little bit in a blanket does the trick and on some days ... well let's say he is not amused. But we are working in it.
When he is running around in my living room he often comes right up to me and I can even stroke him. So we have a good relationship, but I'm really afraid of having to go to the vet when I'm not allowed to go inside with him, because I know he will freak out.
My Odi is also extremley fidgety. He wasn't used to being held at all when he moved in last year in September. So at first I tried to hold him for a really short time and put him back before he started to fidget. That was really short, just a few seconds. Then I started to hold him just a little bit longer. Ideally he should never start to fidget, but the timing doesn't always work out.
Now we are up to a few minutes depending on his mood. On some days he enjoys a good chin rub or being told what a great boy he is. Sometimes wrapping him up a little bit in a blanket does the trick and on some days ... well let's say he is not amused. But we are working in it.
When he is running around in my living room he often comes right up to me and I can even stroke him. So we have a good relationship, but I'm really afraid of having to go to the vet when I'm not allowed to go inside with him, because I know he will freak out.
Thanks, I'll give that a shot. He gets fidgety so quick but maybe that would help. I'll try that next time and see if that makes him calm for longer.
That's what I'm afraid of too. I want to make holding experiences as painless as possible for him, and sometimes like the vet it's unavoidable. Maybe we'll try daily and work on extending the time and using blankets until we make progress.