Some Questions

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sparrow

Sparrow

Joined
Jun 29, 2012
Messages
45
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
United States
I'm not sure where to put my questions so I'll try here. :)

1. Are there any recommendations for a children's book about caring for piggies?
- especially one that an 8 year old can read for themselves?

2. Where is the best information on "bonding"/building trust with your piggies?
Especially if you want everyone in the family to be able to hold and pet the piggies, etc.?

3. I've read about the "towel" method of wrapping them up and holding them, but it would be nice to be able to hold them without wrapping. So I'm basically looking for advice on how to get them to the point of sitting contentedly in your lap, etc.
---I'M even still kind of scared to pick them up. Not so much because I think they may bite, but more because they wiggle so much and I'm afraid of dropping them or something. Even if I did the "wrap," I don't know how to pick them up and get them to sit still to be wrapped.

4. How much weight are young piggies supposed to gain each week? I have no idea how old ours are, but I ordered a kitchen scale to weigh them.

5. How old are most piggies when they've fully grown into their adult size?

Thank you for your help!
 
OK well i'll have a go at some of your questions for you :)

1. as far as books for children, there is a few on the market about stories and guinea pigs, but the info in them is NOT always correct :x
Maybe if you go thru amazon and see what books are available, you could perhaps sit with her and help with some of the wording etc..

2/3. Bonding/wrapping/holding: this is time and patience, i'll combine the question re picking up too. Towels or even popping them into a high sided cardboard box (best for an adult to do this as they are wriggly as all heck!) then bring them to where you're sitting and place them on a towel into the lap of the person wishing to snuggle :) You can also sit on the ground with them, have an area that is blocked off from draughts and escape routes (yes they love to run and hide!) then make sure you have a hidey for them to be in, drape a towel over your knees and raise them slightly they love to play under there too. Always have some treaties as the aroma will often bring their little faces out from hiding with noses in the air....FOOD YUM!
Picking up a piggie is an art......i find that i put my hand on butt and scoop with the other hand. I'm right handed so i have my right hand under their front feet and slightly wrapped around their front tootsies (this stops them from leaping out) and scoop up with left hand supporting the butt.

4. piggies when born around the 100g mark (i'm no expert in this area, i'm sure our lovely members will advise more) they do put on weight every wheek. gosh i'm sorry i do have a complete record of my girls weights at home! I weigh every wheek around the same time, then i know if it's before or after a meal. I record this and then if you notice a loss of more than 30g in a week you keep a strict eye on them. Look for signs of distress, say maybe dribbling.... this could be toofie problems.

Now i hope that all makes sense, if not i apologise and will try to help more.
Hope that helps :)
 
one way to wrap is:
take a towel and lay it over your pig
slide your hands around the side of your pig
move towel ends (on the sides) under your pig
move the short side over your pig head so you can see their face
tuck the back short side under
there you go, a piggie who should stay in the towel providing they are willing.
 
'I Love Guinea Pigs' is a great children's book! I am going to get it x
 
[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Love-Guinea-Pigs-Nature-Storybooks/dp/1406318728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341319008&sr=1-1"]I Love Guinea-Pigs (Nature Storybooks): Amazon.co.uk: Dick King-Smith, Anita Jeram: Books[/ame]

Its a story book but in such a way that it explains about caring for Guinea Pigs. If that makes sense :)
 
[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Love-Guinea-Pigs-Nature-Storybooks/dp/1406318728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341319008&sr=1-1"]I Love Guinea-Pigs (Nature Storybooks): Amazon.co.uk: Dick King-Smith, Anita Jeram: Books[/ame]

Some reviews on here x
 
I usually use a cosy to move mine around, lots of people sell fleecy ones on here but you can make a simple one by folding a tea towel in half and sewing up the sides to make a bag. You just let them run in and pick it up and plonk them on your knee for a cuddle, you don't get all the panicky running round and it's great for the kids too as they feel safe so don't scrabble about to much.
 
Agree with the others about picking them up - always best to use a cosy sac, up turned igloo etc. until they get used to you and you gain confidence. piggies do not like heights. Sacs are great for gently ushering a scared piggy into, gives you and them security.
I pick most of my piggies up by placing one hand under their front paws and the other under their butt, lift slowly and bring up to my chest - they're used to it now but it is a bit nerve racking to start with especially if you have a 'wriggler' so use cosy sacs for these rolleyes
Once they're on my lap, they will settle for fuss and often snooze although some like to explore the sofa and other furniture rolleyes
Nothing beats piggy cuddles x)
 
Welcome to the forum. It's a fantastic place to get help, share tips and very fruendly too.

A book that mine loved and cd read for themselves at that age is by Dick King Smith, called I love Guinea Pigs. The advice is pretty basic, but a good starting point. Amazon should have it - I think it's still in print.

As far as handling them goes, I highly recommend getting a fairly large cuddle pocket or bag (check out the for sale threads, members on here make them; often for the benefit of rescues). Although there are lots of gorgeous thick snuggle pockets, I'd recommend these for the cage or hutch, and get a bag type for catching, lifting, carrying and holding on laps. My kids were similar ages when I got mine, and both piggies and I were a lot less worried abt the bags than small hands. You also should know that piggies are less likely to wriggle when they feel secure, so this is a win win option. You cd use ann old pillow case to see first. However for laptime, one with a waterproof lining (eg a mattress protector) is a good idea. Again you can get lap blankets on here.

Hope you and the children enjoy your new pigs; they do make fantastic pets. I keep mine in the pkayroom so they are part of the family and it means I can keep a good eye on what's going on.
 
Guinea pig slave said:
Agree with the others about picking them up - always best to use a cosy sac, up turned igloo etc. until they get used to you and you gain confidence. piggies do not like heights. Sacs are great for gently ushering a scared piggy into, gives you and them security.
I pick most of my piggies up by placing one hand under their front paws and the other under their butt, lift slowly and bring up to my chest - they're used to it now but it is a bit nerve racking to start with especially if you have a 'wriggler' so use cosy sacs for these rolleyes
Once they're on my lap, they will settle for fuss and often snooze although some like to explore the sofa and other furniture rolleyes
Nothing beats piggy cuddles x)
Click to expand...

I had actually made a little snuggle sack out of fleece, but even with that Marshmallow tries to get out. Maybe she's just a very squirmy piggy? I haven't tried it with Ruby yet...I need to make another one! I think one issue may be that the place we've tried to do floor/lap time is upstairs and they have to be carried up. Maybe going up the stairs freaks them out too much? So far my hubby is the main one who has carried them up. He held them very close to his chest. Could it be that some piggies will never be calm enough to pick up without a cozy or something?
 
They will get tamer with time and as they get to know you, but a bag makes the whole thing a lot easier and less stressful. Don't forget they are prey animals so they need to get to know you don't plan on eating them before they will relax. It will take time but worth it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top