Why are my guinea pigs still scared of me after a year?

[tessascheifele]

Hi, so I have had my two little piggies (Bean and Franny) for a year now and they still are scared of me. I try very slowly putting my hand in the cage to pet them, and they might let me for a bit but then they end up getting scared and running away. When I bring veggies and they hear the noise of the bag they start weeking very loud and putting their paws up on the cage sniffing the air seeing what's up. Then when I give them a veggie, they take it and hide under there hut with it. And when it is floor time I try very gently picking them up, not coming after them like a predator, and they will not let me. They just fight with me until I can catch them and place them on the ground. I was wondering if it's normal and what I can do to try to make them more comfortable with me.

 

[Sweet Potato]

This just sounds like normal happy piggies to me. As pray animals they are very skittish and will always be afraid of being picked up because that's what a hawk would do. After a year and a half my boys love cuddles will take veggies from my hand and are absolutely fine with me but if my hand is in the cage and is not holding veggies they will run and hide instantly it's just their instinct and you can't always change that.

When moving them out of their cage you could try herding them into some sort of tunnel of carrier to move them in which is often easier than chasing them round trying to catch them. Make sure once you have picked them up you hold them close to your body and support their hole body as if you're cradling a baby usually they calm down and stop wriggling once they realise that a predator would have eaten them by now and this is a cosy and comfortable way for hem to be held.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, so I have had my two little piggies (Bean and Franny) for a year now and they still are scared of me. I try very slowly putting my hand in the cage to pet them, and they might let me for a bit but then they end up getting scared and running away. When I bring veggies and they hear the noise of the bag they start weeking very loud and putting their paws up on the cage sniffing the air seeing what's up. Then when I give them a veggie, they take it and hide under there hut with it. And when it is floor time I try very gently picking them up, not coming after them like a predator, and they will not let me. They just fight with me until I can catch them and place them on the ground. I was wondering if it's normal and what I can do to try to make them more comfortable with me.

Hi and welcome!

Guinea pigs are prey animals. Most do not like to be picked up or stroked away from your lap (and many just for a short time then).
Sadly human-driven videos on social media give you a very distorted image and unrealistic expectations - the videos do not reflect normal piggy life but what humans find cute or entertaining. Who wants to look at a video of a piggy that doesn't like being picked up or stroked? Yet that is very much the normality and what you are looking at is people showing off their piggies that conform much more to a human and not cavy centred concept of interaction.

Here are some guide links that can help you understand better what you are dealing with and how you can work around some issues by tackling things from the piggy perspective. Also consider that interaction doesn't just consist in our human desire of cuddles; there is a whole different world of interaction out there that is just as fun for both species and just as rewarding!

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics