Miserable Guinea Pigs...

[phantom35]

As the weather has got so so lovely over the past few weeks, I bought an outdoor run for my guinea pigs. The run is massive....the biggest one I could find and I was very excited about letting the pigs spend time outside grazing on the grass. I only put them out there for a few hours at a time (I don't think it's safe enough to keep them out there without being watched!!!) but all they do is hide away in their little box! I imagine it's quite scary going outside what with all the new noises, but it seems to have affected what they are like in doors now! My girlies are 8 months old, and they used to be popcorning all over the place, wheeking constantly and just really relaxed and happy to let me stroke them and pick them up...but since I've been putting them outside they just hide away all the time and don't like me stroking them!
Very surprised as I thought it would have the opposite effect!! Has anyone else experienced this before?? Is it just a case of waiting and letting them get used to going outside??

Has anyone got any advice on washing guinea pigs???...I'm going to wash my girls for the first time tonight (they are both long haired coronets) and just want to make sure I'm going about the right way of doing it!! I've been told its best to wash them with johnsons baby shampoo and dry them with a hair dryer afterwards...bit worried the noise may frighten them though and make them even more skitish!!!

Phantom35

[Ziggy&Herald]

Many people on here say Bunny Bath is the best shampoo to use. I've always believed J&J baby wash is fine. But you do want to make sure they are completely dry before putting them back in their cage. You can either do this by towel drying or blow drying. I blow dry, it gives my Texel a nice fluffy look, but they do tend to be scared of it the first few times. Just make sure you keep the dryer far from the skin and keep your other hand next to them so you can feel if it's getting to hot in one spot. Good luck, it can be an experience the first time.

[Percy's Mom]

Absolutely do NOT use any shampoo made for humans on your pigs. Even baby shampoo is too harsh for their extremely delicate skin. Pet shampoos made for guinea pigs, small animals, or NON-medicated kitten shampoos are fine.

[Ly&Pigs]

For the outdoor time, try a smaller area if possible and then let that area grow over time. They may feel overwhelmed in that large of a space right now.

As PM said in her post, absolutely no baby shampoo or any human shampoos. The pH balance is different in pigs than it is in humans and it can dry their skin out even more.

If you use a hair dryer, put it on low and keep it about 12" away from their bodies. If it's warm enough weather where you live, just towel dry them.

[Weatherlight]

Would it help to set up several hideys, with at least a few near their starting point, so they feel safer exploring? Or a large cardboard box with the bottom cut out, so they have a large space they can feel protected in and still explore the ground and grass in there? Maybe they'd do better with gradual habituation so they have time to get used to the sights and sounds, like get them used to being held by an open window, then held in the doorway, then held outside, then put down? Although I guess that last one is too late =\

I hope they didn't pick up some pathogen or parasite when they're outside that's making them feel bad and fearful.

Not all small animal/kitten shampoos are well pH balanced for gpigs, and not all human shampoos are well pH balanced for humans, but I'd look for small animal/kitten shampoos that are advertised as such and then look over the ingredients lists and read reviews, if available.

You can trim their fur for hygeine and ease of grooming. How long is it now?

[Savvy Cavy]

Oh, have you tried covering the cage with something like a large towel? Our girls love to have a nice shady run, it makes them feel safe about being outside.

[HowietheGreat]

Mine enjoy shade as well. Teddy was startled his first romp outside, but after a bit became pretty comfortable. It's a big world for a little pig. I'm sure they are in the hidey houses contently eating grass.

[red_paw_prints]

I had a similar experience and posted here in the outdoor environment section. I later did some research on the cavies natural environment and found that they prefer to have easy access to cover from predators and feel safer during the low light conditions of dawn and dusk. Once I changed the conditions of the outdoor run, to simulate a more 'homelike' environment, they were happier. I actually used some old towels like another member suggested here. Good luck, I'm sure they will soon be enjoying their new run once you add in a few home comforts.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

The cavies that live in the wild are different than the domesticated ones we have now. Housing them outdoors is not ideal. Predators, heat stroke and other things are still a great threat no matter how you have it set up.

[red_paw_prints]

She doesn't house them outside, she just wants them to be happy in their new outdoor run for an hour or two.

[conclay1995]

We build a temporary pen with our extra grids and then cover all the corners with towels or blankets. My girls usually stay under the cover, but once in a while will run to another corner or poke their little nose out to get some sun. We also hang a water bottle for them. Most of the time the pen is big enough for me or my daughter to sit in there with them. This also helps them feel more secure.