can anyone help me with my guinea pig please?
I’ve had my guinea pig for a couple weeks, my friend gave him to me. I have a good cage, food, drink, hiding place, bedding and a pillow for him so that’s covered.
But he’s very anti social and skiddish. when ever i walk past his cage he flips out, i have to chase him around the cage to get him out, [he's fine once hes being held,though, kinda fidgety, tries to hide from me in the handkerchief i hold him in]
and right now i have him pinned in the kitchen [guinea safe] so he can run around [cause i read that balls are a BIG no-no] but he wont run around, he’s hiding under a stool and wont come out :[ i put his food and toys in there and i’m just afraid that he will be unhealthy or sad.
what can i do?
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Filed under: Old World Bar Stools
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Guinea pigs are naturally skiddish and shy, but once they come around, they are very happy and a bit loud.
they are normally found in little groups, so it’s a bit scary for them to be alone. I would suggest, if you can, adopting another Guinea pig to keep yours company.
However, something to look out for is that males who were not from the same litter will typically fight, and a male-female pair will breed.
since u have only had your guinea pig for a week it is normal for it to behave in this manner. whenever i let my guineas in the house they always make a run for under the couch. i found out that they do this when they need to do their ‘business’ like poop or urinate. they go hide because they are too embarrassed to do it in public. just like us!!!
Guinea pigs are very skittish animals it takes time and patience for them to get used to you.
Also you should never keep a Guinea pig buy itself as they are social animals and also they will feel a little braver if there are two of them, try getting another pig and make sure its the same sex and you should see rather a significant improvement.
I have had guinea pigs that are the most social creatures in the world and others (like the ones I have now) who are a whole lot shyer. The ones I have now sound much like yours and I have had them several years. When they arrived with me they were terrified (both rescue pigs) and I barely saw them. They are now much more friendly, interested in what I am doing and when I get home I can shout through "Hello Piggies" and I get a series of excited "Wheeep Wheeeps" for my trouble. They still are not happy about being handled but are better than they were – as you say they don’t like the picking up process but seem pretty okay with the holding bit!
I would recommend keeping the cage somewhere where a lot happens, a living room or hall. It allows them to get used to all sorts of noises, sights and sounds so they aren’t as nervous of new things.
Getting a friend for him is a good idea it’ll make him feel more at ease.
Talk to him a lot so he gets used to your voice.
Try giving him a treat, something he really loves at the same time everyday – I am sure that is why I am greeted so warmly everyday because I bring home a couple of bits of lettuce (my piggies treat) from my lunch salad, so they have learned that "Hello Piggies" is shortly followed by tasty stuff!
Just give him time and be calm and quiet around him, remember to him you are a huge, funny looking monster which is pretty scary for anyone! In time he’ll learn you aren’t as scary as he thinks and that you are a good person to be around!