I can't tame my Guinea Pigs :( - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**hanafoshanna** · #1 08-17-06, 11:24 am

Hey all

I've tried so hard to tame Fifi, my 7 months old Guinea Pig but she reacts in a very aggressive way. Everytime I reach out and try to stroke her in the cage she headbutts or nudges my hand out of the way, or tries to sniff me. I end up taking my hand away because i think it wants to bite me, its only 7months. I have a 9 week old baby Guinea Pig thats quivers on my lap and tried to bite me, but I quickly let go how can I tame them? I am extremely terrified of getting bitten! I can't even catch the baby Guinea Pig because its so fast, I have tried using a towel but when I put it on my lap it mweeps in a quite tone and I feel sorry for it, so I put it back in the cage.

I am so stressed, I am considering to give it up for adoption

**HandcuffedAngel** · #2 08-17-06, 12:17 pm

My tried and true method [and I tell everyone] is treats. For you, some leafy greens [not a lot, because they are young yet].

To get my hand-shy animals used to me and my hands, I gave them leafy greens or a small piece of fruit with my hands. It will take a little time, but your pigs will start to associate your hands with food, so they'll be more apt to let your hands come near them or touch them because all they're thinking is, "Food!"

My pigs are skittish, but not biters. I sometimes have to use towels to catch my littlest one. He's quick!

These two charts tell you what fruits and veggies your pig can have.

Veggie Chart

Fruit Chart

**strigercake** · #3 08-17-06, 12:26 pm

I agree with the veggies. Give them veggies by hand as they will get used to your hands. While holding them, also give some bits of veggies or little pieces of fruit (not too much as it is high in sugar).

Don't be afraid they will bite, they sense that if you are scared, they will be scared. Relax and enjoy your pigs.

**hanafoshanna** · #4 08-17-06, 12:38 pm

I have tried many times, trying to bribe my Guinea Pig with Veggies and other treats, I use my fingers to feed it ( I don't lay the veggies on my hand, I am afraid of being accidently bitten) and they will take the veggies but thats all. They don't seem to trust me!

In the beginning the eldest Guinea Pig would let me stroke it but as she gets older, she'll violently headbutt my hands so its impossible for me to pick her up

**HandcuffedAngel** · #5 08-17-06, 12:41 pm

Like I said, this does take time. You really have to be patient.

Guinea pigs are naturally very skittish creatures. Think about your size compared to them! You would be afraid of something that much bigger than you, too.

Keep trying and have patience. Trust from a guinea pig is definitely not an overnight deal.

**hanafoshanna** · #6 08-17-06, 12:46 pm

I am trying to be patient, but as the days go by I worry that it the Guinea Pig may stick to the run/hide/bite behaviour whenever it thinks I am about to pick it up, I am worried because if I can't pick it up that equals to less floor time. And less floor time means an unhealthy cavy and a worried owner

**3littlepigs** · #7 08-17-06, 12:47 pm

My two new girls were very skittish when I first got them and would not let us near them. I would usually put a cozy in the cage and when they went into it, then I would gently pick them up while they were still in the cozy. Then I would place the cozy on my lap. I would give them several minutes in there before I would even try to pet them. Eventually I started rolling back the edges of the cozy so they could see me better. It took a lot of patience and a lot of time, but now they enjoy being held even without the cazy. Good luck!

**HandcuffedAngel** · #8 08-17-06, 12:49 pm

That's why I use towels because it helps calm them down.

My 2 older boys I can just pick up [but I'm not afraid of being bitten ... you should see the holes in my face]. You need to adopt maybe a more positive attitude toward this venture because you make it sound like you've given up hope.

If you really don't think you can do it then rehoming them is probably the better idea.

**hanafoshanna** · #9 08-17-06, 12:54 pm

I might have to give up the eldest Guinea Pig to the RSPCA or an animal shelter. And as for the 7 week old Guinea Pig, I am going to give it time its still young and I only got it a week ago.

I've heard that Guinea Pigs calm down the more they age... is this true?

**PiggieMamaKelly** · #10 08-17-06, 01:05 pm

I don't think your oldest guinea pig is beyond hope. I'm guessing that you back off from her alot when she shows you she doesn't want to be touched. I say ignore all that and pick her up anyway. Pick her up and hold her every day, as many times as you can. Once you try picking her up, don't give up, even if it takes 10 minutes. It may take months, but I think if you continue to handle her as much as possible she will settle down.

PS- I don't think she will bite you. Guinea pigs TYPICALLY don't bite, and the more nervous you become the more tense she will be. I really do hope it works out between you two!

**Ly&Pigs** · #11 08-17-06, 01:06 pm

Quote:

I've heard that Guinea Pigs calm down the more they age... is this true?

With most they do. I think part of the problem here is that they are sensing your "fear" of them. My girls can sense any mood that I am in. If I am in a more depressed mood, they will let me pick them up easier than if I am in an uber happy mood.

Getting rid of a pig would not be on the options list for me. You got this pig, now be a responsible owner and take care of it. Have you read this page to try to figure out why your pig is nipping/biting? www.cavyspirit.com/biting.htm

You can't expect the pigs to be tamed overnight. Some pigs require months and months of handling before they calm down and some remain skittish their entire lives. Keep giving bits of veggies and lay some in your hand to show the pig you aren't afraid. Get a pvc pipe tube and let the pig go in there and then pick the whole thing up with your hands covering the ends then lay the tube on your lap and let the pig come out. That may help some too.

With Fifi, has she ever actually bitten you? If not, your fears may be for nothing as the majority of guinea pigs don't bite.

Quote:

I have tried using a towel but when I put it on my lap it mweeps in a quite tone and I feel sorry for it, so I put it back in the cage.

As for the baby, if it's talking/wheeking/mweeping in a quiet tone, that indicates a more conversational tone to me and you need to keep the pig out on your lap for a while. Usually scared or frightened pigs will scream/squeak their heads off.

**Jennicat** · #12 08-17-06, 01:10 pm

First of all, these sound like normal guinea pig behaviors. Part of your problem is that you're terrified that they'll bite you. You have to stop being so afraid of them. Guinea pigs very rarely bite, and usually when they do it out of extreme fear, because they're in pain, or accidental in the case of breaking up a fight.

I think it's extremely cruel that you would give away a guinea pig to the SPCA because it's not as tame as you want it to be. They are naturally skittish animals, and some that I've had for YEARS are still very scared of me, and will only rarely come out and grab vegetables. Removing her also takes away your youngest pig's friend, and it's not kind to keep them alone, they're herd animals, and they like to have a friend.

Please be patient and stop being afraid of your guinea pig. They are very gentle creatures who are not prone to biting.

**PiggieMom** · #13 08-17-06, 01:11 pm

It is generally true. But I think it is very rash of you to give up your pig because it is scared of you. Have you treated them for mites? How long have you had them? What kind of cage do you keep them in? When you handdle them do you wash your hands first? Hold them in a dim quiet place? Do you handle them gently? Many people here have adopted older guinea pigs (including me) who are not used to human contact and had aggression problems. They have to learn to trust you. I think a big problem is that you are putting them down or stop trying to pick them up when they "go to bite you" they know if they act like that they will get what they want which is to be left alone. Animals can sense when you fear them. Handle them with confidence and they will know it. I have yet to be bitten hard by any of my pigs. My two girls that I adopted were never handled before I adopted them and they are almost two. Others have seen more drastic turn arounds. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to love your pig no matter what problems it has.

**DaCourt** · #14 08-17-06, 01:17 pm

Mine still run from me. Scooby used to nip at me when I tried to pick him up. He did this un until about a year ago. He just turned 4. So it does take time. He still screams for about 20 seconds when I first take him out. Then he calms down and settles in for a little loving.

**attackofthebear** · #15 08-17-06, 02:57 pm

Just give the guinea pig some time and things should turn around. I have 15 guinea pigs and only 1 of them is actually coming to me. All the others run. The one that comes to me is around 5 years old too. They are prey animals and need that sense to be safe in the wild, same with rabbits. You have to earn their trust and it could take a couple of weeks to years and years. Alot of it depends on what you do. Giving them up should not be the answer.

Your pig is only 7 months old, so expect it to be scared. Just pick it up and play with it. The more you do so, the more likely the pig will come around. They are both young and still have the wild instinct in them, but since they are young you have a chance to change that.

Veggies arent the only way to get your gp to trust you. Just spending time with them will help. For example my guinea pig called mama is around 10 months old and when we got her, which was earlier this year, she would run. The other day I went into the room and touched her without her running or sqeaking. So it took time but it worked.

**Sviega** · #16 08-17-06, 03:17 pm

Why are you so afraid of being bitten. I was bitten by a Guinea Pig before, it was my fault. He bit me very hard and he drew blood. It hurt, but I've been hurt much worse by falling down and skining my knee. My pig nipped me a couple of times which was like a pinch.

Why are you so afraid?

Let him sniff your fingers. That is a good sign, the pig isn't running from you.

**pennick** · #17 08-17-06, 03:38 pm

My piggy headbutts me when she doesn't want to be petted on her head. She prefers being stroked down her back. Your piggy is telling you to lay off the head. Try another area. It took her approx. 6 months to allow me to pet her without her running away.

My other piggy wheeked her head off when I gave her lap time to try to get her use to me. You would think she was going to slaughter. Now 5 months down the line she allows me to stroke her head from time to time depending on her mood. I haven't given the new one much attention so I don't expect much.

You have to be very very patient and continue to socialize with them. You have to be able to understand their language. Stay off your piggys head. Continue to give the young piggy lap time with treats. She will simmer down in time.

**pamziaw** · #18 08-18-06, 03:58 am

Animals in general don't like things going over their eyes, maybe try not go go over their heads when you pick them up. Mine have tried to bite me but mostly as my hands smelled of food and fudge bites the glove i wear when cutting his nails. They headbutt as well again as my hand is over his head. Try avioding the head for a while.

**Nancy P** · #19 08-18-06, 05:50 am

UGH! I'm right there with you! After I made the bigger cage for twichy he just doesn't want much from me except a salad

He will let me scratch him behind his ears tho - as long as he can see my hand. If I take him to the vet or something and I have to take him out of his carrier he is much tamer. He has bit me and it's not much fun - I think he knows he did wrong tho because he didn't squeak at me for the next day or so and if he tries to bite me in general I just say "no bite" firmly but with these guys firmly is not too firm

and he is getting the hang of that. Good luck!

**hanafoshanna** · #20 08-18-06, 06:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

With most they do. I think part of the problem here is that they are sensing your "fear" of them. My girls can sense any mood that I am in. If I am in a more depressed mood, they will let me pick them up easier than if I am in an uber happy mood.

Getting rid of a pig would not be on the options list for me. You got this pig, now be a responsible owner and take care of it. Have you read this page to try to figure out why your pig is nipping/biting? www.cavyspirit.com/biting.htm

You can't expect the pigs to be tamed overnight. Some pigs require months and months of handling before they calm down and some remain skittish their entire lives. Keep giving bits of veggies and lay some in your hand to show the pig you aren't afraid. Get a pvc pipe tube and let the pig go in there and then pick the whole thing up with your hands covering the ends then lay the tube on your lap and let the pig come out. That may help some too.

With Fifi, has she ever actually bitten you? If not, your fears may be for nothing as the majority of guinea pigs don't bite.

When I want to pick up Fifi, I do so with gloves and she bites the fingers of the gloves so I have to slide my hand so that it doesn't actually fit the glove . I keep thinking if she does this with gloves when she doesn't want to be picked up or stroked, then she might just bite my fingers off if I have bare hands.

As for the baby, if it's talking/wheeking/mweeping in a quiet tone, that indicates a more conversational tone to me and you need to keep the pig out on your lap for a while. Usually scared or frightened pigs will scream/squeak their heads off.

Hmm... however she tends to quiver alot on my lap and also making a chewing noise- what does this suggest?