Behavior Helping an anxious and scared pig

[kitgal421]

My older guinea pig Weasley always seems to be so anxious and scared of everything. Poor thing has been bounced from home to home. Before I adopted him he was found almost starved to death, so I'm sure that abuse has quite a bit to do with his personality now.

I try to hold him often and always have treats for him, but he still seems so afraid. It's such a big contrast to my younger gp Luke who always runs up to people and loves to be petted.

It's only been a few months so I'm hoping time will help, but is there anything else I can do (besides food/lap time/floor time) that will help him be more comfortable?

 

[Feeorin215]

My Jasper is the same way and I've had him a little over a year. I also adopted him from a shelter where he was abused by a 6 year old.

He has just gotten to the point of where I can pet him on his back. It used to only be the chin, then the top of the head, and now the back. But when I get near his bum he gets scared and runs. Picking him up for floor time or cage cleaning is a real chore.

In my opinion, time is your friend. Just keep working with him and he should learn to trust you. Good luck!

 

[bpatters]

You're doing the right things -- just keep it up.