Behavior Help with Anti Social Piggies!

[alidoodle]

My partner and I got three pigs from a woman who said that they were two years old and her kinds were now playing sports making her want them to go to a home where they could get more attention. She advised that they were very well socially with people and she didn't want to lose that for them. She also said that one of the three needed a little nail trim and they were all horrible. We don't know if we were told anything truthfully. We have had them going on a month or a little over and we've hand fed them (they take and run, the food was slippery), we've slept in shirts and then placed in the cages so that they have our scent and it seemed to help for a couple days but they don't seem to be responding and other than trapping them, scaring them in the process, and forcing them to our chest and holding them... we're at a loss on what to do. Is there anything else we can try?

 

[bpatters]

How old are they? (Oops, I see they're two.)

Are they males or females?

What size is the cage?

 

[alidoodle]

How old are they? (Oops, I see they're two.)

Are they males or females?

What size is the cage?

They are all females and the cage I believe is 14x24x47. it came with them and looked like plenty of room but they only had two huts and we added a third so that they would all have a hidey hole plus they have an attached play pin area

 

[bpatters]

Feet? Inches? Centimeters? Unless it's feet, that cage is WAY too small for three pigs. Two pigs need a minimum of eight square feet, and you add a minimum of 2.5 square feet for each additional pig.

Other than that, be patient. Spend lots of time standing by the cage talking to them, and giving them veggie treats. And yes, do catch them and hold them. Yummy treats while they're on your lap will also improve relations.

Here's some recommended reading for new pig owners: https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/113176-Information-for-new-guinea-pig-owners

 

[Soecara]

I'm not sure exactly what your personal expectations for a well socialised guinea pig is, but I can tell you no matter how much they trust you and like people there are some instincts that simply cannot be overwritten.

They will try and run when they take a high value food from your hand, it isn't because they are scared or don't trust you it is so the other guinea pigs don't snatch it from them. They will run when you go to pick them up, things coming at them from above will always make them run it is just a hard wired instinct. Almost all guinea pigs don't like being pet inside their cage, particularly not from above.

Things I would be more inclined to say show a guinea pig who doesn't trust you and isn't well socialised is if they don't relax after you pick them up, if they seem uptight or stressed when you have them out of the cage, if they are reluctant to approach to take food from you. If they don't just run when you go to pick them up but also kick and teeth chatter. I have two guinea pigs like this right now that I am trying to work with to calm down but it is slow progress.

 

[teambenji543]

Hello! I know EXACTY how you feel. My two guinea pigs were terrified of humans when they first came home. I’ve also fostered many guinea pigs so I know some tricks that might help your guinea pigs to gain confidence.

The first thing that I like to do is sit next to their cage. I usually like to read them a book or watch tv. This just gets them used to your presence.

The next tip that I have is to offer them treats. I like to take a slice of apple and hold it out to them. I like to wait for them to take the apple from your hand.

Also, when you pick them up try to make it less stressful. I like to slowly talk to them while carefully scooping them up. You could also try scooping them up in a box. When you hold them make sure to support their bottom and all four feet.

I know that at times it can feel hopeless but keep trying! Guinea pigs will eventually warm up to you, it just takes time. My two guinea pigs didn’t fully warm up to me until two years. Now they’ll happily walk out of their cage and explore the house. They also have grown to love being held and cuddled. They love to walk into my study and interrupt my school!

 

[alidoodle]

Thank you very much for your help and input @teambenji543