Question!

[Piggles]

I have two male guinea pigs right now that are the perfect buddies and are very friendly!
I just got this new guinea pig two weeks ago from a pet shelter. He is scared of EVERYTHING! All I have to do is take one step near him that he can see and he runs as fast as he can to hide. He doesn't like being held, he runs and hides anywhere possible or just squirms so you can't get him. He wont eat/drink if I am near him. I tired to hand feed him carrots and he just won't eat them. If I put them in the food dish and leave then he goes crazy for him. I need some suggestions and help to get him to become friendly and not so cared of people.
Thank you so much to anyone that replies!!!

[Shorty]

Well I suggest you give him some time to warm up a little more. Unless maybe he could be sick or something? But more than likely he might just need more time. Try giving him lots of hidey houses. Or maybe even take him out of the cage put him on a towel and feed him. Try feeding him a piece of grass or hay, maybe he might not like carrots? Also squeak like a guinea pig to him, but not too loud. Thats how I got my girls warmed up around me.
Hope I helped atleast a little.

[KmKrazy9]

My Amy was the same way. She wouldnt let me get near her without running away. So I finally just picked her up and I got out some veggies and I sat down with her and just petted her and petted her. Sooner or later he will stop struggling. Just keep petting. Hopefully he will relax a little. Maybe even eat some of your veggies! Hope it works!

[supertramp]

My 2 year old sow was the same. I've had her quite a while now and she's still only just started to not go running into a dark corner whenever I get too close to her. Bribe him, that's what I've been doing and it really works. Take a veggie for him, tear it up into little pieces and hold a piece quite near to him, so that he has to come and take it from your hand. Once he's eaten that piece, wait for him to come and get the next one. With each bit, try putting your hand a little further away each time, so that he ends up coming towards the front of the cage. If you repeat this every veggie time, he'll soon warm up to you and allow you to pet him.

[cavylover]

I find most guinea pigs new to an enviroment are timmid.I just brought 2 over ot my girlfriends house and their totally Freaked.Anways im sure in time like a week or so he'll warm up to you and eat infront of you.try giving him Treats once he eats and drinks infront of you.

[Piggles]

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Also he does have a newer cagemate. Could that be a problem why he acts like this? Or is he just scared of me yet?

[Piggles]

Ok, I tried these but they just don't work. He WON'T eat any of the treats if I'm holding them or he see's my hand. He did once but he didn't eat it, he grabs ahold of the carrot and he pulls back as hard as he can and once he has it in his mouth he runs in the igloo and eats it.

[supertramp]

Well that's a start! They can be stubborn creatures, you just have to hold on tighter than them if you want them to eat it all from your hand. At least he came up to you, that's an improvement. Keep at it - it's early days yet. Good luck.

[Piggles]

Ok, I'll hold it as tight as I can! LOL, I didn't know he was that stong to just grab it and rip it out of my hand .