aly13
Junior Guinea Pig
I got two new girls who had lived for the last several months in a nursery/playschool. They didnt have time to look after them anymore. They are around a year old apparently.
I treated for parasites first day but they seemed clear anyway, no obvious issues. Apart from not being given any hay, the owner at the nursery thought straw was hay and gave them straw in a hay feeder.. so I'm getting their back teeth checked at a vet this week.
They have clearly beent traumatised by mishandling and being chased around by both adults and children there. One is more ok in general but just freaks out when she is held under her tummy/handled properly, I'm hoping thats behaviourally related not health issues meaning shes uncomfortable.
The other one is beyond terrified. She desperately tries to avoid being picked up and then goes into freeze mode once she is. Handled her properly for the first time today and she is so scared she just shook with fear the whole time. Goodness knows what experiences they have had..
Should i continue to gently handle her and have lap time? Its how I tamed my other pigs (although they werent traumatized like this) and generally believe in in terms of taming instead of taking years for one to even take food from my hand voluntarily. Do you think she will eventually relax a bit as she learns being handled here isnt like it was in her previous home and its ok? I feel like if i try not to handle her unless necessary then she will definitely remain terrified forever..
Anyone have experience with previously traumatised/mishandled piggies?
I treated for parasites first day but they seemed clear anyway, no obvious issues. Apart from not being given any hay, the owner at the nursery thought straw was hay and gave them straw in a hay feeder.. so I'm getting their back teeth checked at a vet this week.
They have clearly beent traumatised by mishandling and being chased around by both adults and children there. One is more ok in general but just freaks out when she is held under her tummy/handled properly, I'm hoping thats behaviourally related not health issues meaning shes uncomfortable.
The other one is beyond terrified. She desperately tries to avoid being picked up and then goes into freeze mode once she is. Handled her properly for the first time today and she is so scared she just shook with fear the whole time. Goodness knows what experiences they have had..
Should i continue to gently handle her and have lap time? Its how I tamed my other pigs (although they werent traumatized like this) and generally believe in in terms of taming instead of taking years for one to even take food from my hand voluntarily. Do you think she will eventually relax a bit as she learns being handled here isnt like it was in her previous home and its ok? I feel like if i try not to handle her unless necessary then she will definitely remain terrified forever..
Anyone have experience with previously traumatised/mishandled piggies?