Lap Time: Only get veggies at lap time?

[ravemasta]

Ok I understand that guinea pigs are supposed to eat veggies ever day. ( wich mine do.) BUT my freind proposed this idea to me, she said the same happened with her new cat it allways hid until she started only giving it treats when it came to her. Now I know Guinea pigs and cats arn't the same BUT My guinea pigs don't like being picked up and let on the floor let alone sit in my lap. SO! I was wondering if it is ok to ONLY ( unless this dosn't work then I will continue putting veggies in the cage) give them veggies if they come to me on the ground or sit on my lap rather than giving them the reasurance that they will always get veggies no matter what....does this make sense? ???

[Mattt]

I'm not sure what others would say. But for me, I give them their first couple bites out of my hand, then in my lap. Then after that they eat the rest in their cage. This helped my Skinny pig, Pickles as she now is less skittish when I'm around.

[ravemasta]

now Iv'e tried giving them fruit and stuff out of my hand but they snatch it as hard and fast as they can and run with it Guess I have to hold on tighter huh?

[Mattt]

Lol My Pickles still tries that. After a few bites from my hand she calms down.

I don't think she was hand raised or just had very minimal human contact growing up.

[gooberific]

I wouldn't feed them their veggies solely at lap time. Mattt's suggestion is fine about giving them some by hand, some in lap, and the rest in cage.

I give the treat like veggies in laptime only, like carrots or cucumbers. When I feed them meals, they come running to me and I hold on tightly to a piece of lettuce or green pepper and they try tugging it a few times before giving up and eating it as it is still in my grasp. They pull hard, though!

[PiggieMom]

I agree with Goob. It's fine to give them some veggies during laptime, but guinea pigs are foragers and it's best they can take their time to eat their meals in their cage.

[juliaaa]

Maybe you could try to find out what food your piggies like best and use that for a treat during lap time. I wouldn't feed them their entire dinner only during lap time, though.

[Peggysu]

One thing I did with my girls for the first year was sit by the cage and hand feed them some of their veggies before I gave them the whole pile of veggies. Also if I'm cutting something up during the day and they hear it and smell it and scream for it I give them a piece, but they have to eat it from my hand. I have to hold on tight.

[SheriMartini]

I've found that to get my guys to warm up to me the best way to make progress was to just have my hands in the cage as much as possible. Frequent sweeping, fluffing the hay, checking the water, etc. My Puppy was SO skittish at first that he wouldn't take anything from my hands, even his favorite treats. Now, he lets me pet him in the cage more than my Fajita does!

Just keep in mind that a guinea pig is always going to be a bit skittish. They are prey animals, so their natural instinct is to run when something is trying to grab at them. Like you said, cats and guinea pigs are different, so they adapt to things differently. And like everyone else said, saving the most tasty, favorite treats for lap time could help. But, if they are anything like my guys, they will just need time to get used to you.

(If that makes sense... My brain has turned to mush today! haha!)

[ravemasta]

Iv'e tried putting my hand in the cage and only one of them comes up to it and when she does I THINK she's trying to bite me! It's so sad...this guinea pig is so much more bold than the other, that it actually scares me a little. Like if I put her in my lap on a pillow ( because for some reason she won't sit in my lap) she statres at me and tries to walk up to my face and it freaks me out!!! I guess I'm the real problem in this.

[Rnd210]

Originally Posted by SheriMartini

I've found that to get my guys to warm up to me the best way to make progress was to just have my hands in the cage as much as possible. Frequent sweeping, fluffing the hay, checking the water, etc.

)

This worked for me and now when I sweep or put my hand in their cages, they come running to my hand and sniff it and one nibbles it on occasions but since they are used to me sweeping and messing with things in their cages they get in the way of me cleaning and sweeping it's cute though.

[NicholsS10]

Originally Posted by ravemasta

she statres at me and tries to walk up to my face and it freaks me out!!! I guess I'm the real problem in this.

A lot of my pigs do this, they feel more comfortable near my neck. One of my pigs licks my face all over. Guinea pigs rarely bite, maybe next time just go with it and see what they do.