General How soon do I handle my pigs? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

Jenwaite · #1 10-24-09, 03:49 pm

I just got my guinea pigs last wednesday. I am wondering if I should be trying to hold them right now. I am bringing them out of the cage for floor time using a box right now and while they are out, I am just sitting near and watching. I am perfectly content for with that right now. I'm not expecting them to come running over to me for petting. I just want to make sure that I'm doing things properly. I know that with my hamster I had to get her used to me before even trying to touch her at all. Is that what I should be doing here? I want to make sure they get used to being handled but I don't want to stress them too much by doing things too quickly.

**Heady** · #2 10-24-09, 04:13 pm

First I want to say that I think it's great that you've been so patient with them!!! Not many people would do that!

If you've had them since Wednesday, then I think it would be okay to start getting them used to your hands...being pet, scratched, etc...

My Santino had NO problems being touched. Right from the get go! Barney, however, is a bit skittish, so I'm working with him on that.

I suppose you could approach them and see how they react to your hand, and go from there. But I don't see anything wrong with handling them now.

**JD In Van** · #3 10-24-09, 04:19 pm

Yeah let them set the tone for you. Maybe try offering them a treat and see if they'll come take it from your hand?

My boys are funny one doesn't mind being picked up but he hates being petted and one will happily let you pet him but he hates being picked up (screams like you're killing him if you lift him with your hands even a few inches!) Took me a long time to figure out their individual quarks and in my inexperience I probably stressed them out by rushing them more then I should have.

**aly8084** · #4 10-24-09, 04:23 pm

I would try picking him up to see how he reacts. Pet him before picking him up so he know your ok. Also wash your before picking him up.

Jenwaite · #5 10-24-09, 04:55 pm

Well, right now whenever I get near them with my hand they run away and a couple of times they squealed like crazy. If I stay still and don't try to touch them, they sometimes will climb on me which is very cute, but as soon as I make any movement they run in a hidey. I have held them a couple of times and they wheeked a kicked a bit.

**JD In Van** · #6 10-24-09, 05:19 pm

Awww... yeah I would sit still with some food in your hand.

I also find my guys are less skiddish when it's dimly lit. I'm not sure if it's that the bright lights wig them out or if it's the shadows they cause but I'm much more able to touch them and they're more willing to be touched when it's dimly lit.

**Heady** · #7 10-24-09, 06:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD In Van

Awww... yeah I would sit still with some food in your hand.

I also find my guys are less skiddish when it's dimly lit.

I think that's very good advice!

I wish I could give better advice about this stuff, but my pigs just didn't react this way!! I have strange piggies

**YayPiggies** · #8 10-24-09, 06:42 pm

I got my two pigs today, one is outgong and I can hold him, he loves it, but the other is very scared so I'm working on getting him to take a really long stick of celery out of my hand. It depends on your pigs, but by now you should be able to touch them. Good luck!

**distancel** · #9 10-24-09, 09:51 pm

It's good to get them to associate you with something to be excited about. So hang out near their cage and talk to them and leave them food, refill their water bottles and that sort of thing. It does work slowly so that they won't run away when you come near the cage, because they will start to be excited to see you since they think 'oh it's the person who brings us things'.

One of my piggies Avril was very skittish when we first got her. But now she is the one who will come out to investigate what I am doing when I fix things in their cage. I was really worried that she would not be as tame as Buffy but since I've been doing this she has really become very friendly. I hope this helps you.

**music91** · #10 10-25-09, 07:17 pm

Oh wow great job having self control! It was so hard for me to not hold my piggies when I first got them, i have to admit

. I would say you can hold them now but first let them sniff your hand and maybe hand feed them some food so they know to trust you. When you pick them up, one hand under their bum and one under their belly to support them, try to keep their back level. If they seem too scared you can try hand feeding them some more and try again in a day or two

"Thank you, JD In Van, for this useful post," says:
Heady (10-24-09)