Getting adjusted to new home--advice please

[kkdmagee]

We have adopted 2 guinea pig girls and are interested in suggestions for helping them become more comfortable. We have a nice C&C cage, food, bedding, pigloo. They are a little skittish right now. Eating well, but not sure if they are getting much water, except from the vegetables. I have been reading forums like this prior to the adoption and now, so I have some ideas...I think they need some quiet time to adjust to their new surroundings, but other than that, would welcome suggestions from those of you who have ideas that have worked well for you.

Thanks.

 

[stipma]

Try letting them take their veggies from your hand. If you talk softly to them while they do this they will realize that you're not all that scary. I've had my two boys for almost 3 months and they're still skittish. Talk to them or sing to them every time you walk by their cage. Good luck.

 

[VoodooJoint]

The first thing that you have to realize is that these critters have probably never had the amount of space they have now. It will take them time to realize they are safe in that huge cage. Try draping a towel across half of the cage. They will feel more enclosed. Over time move the towel back to expose more and more of the cage. In the end just replace the towel with a fleece tent clipped in the corner.

Add another hidey house on the other side of the cage. A box will do. This will give them the feeling of duel escape routes and they will feel more secure.

Like Cagirl suggested, encourage them to take food from your hand. Eventually start scritching them behind their ears. they will associate your hand with good things. Talk to them while you do this and when you approach them so they learn your voice.

You can also try instilling a Pavlovian response. Ring a soft bell or make a certain sound every time you bring them food and treats. Once they respond to the sound for treats then do it everytime you go over to the cage...try to have some little tidbit to give them. This sound will let them know that whoever is approaching their cage is not a threat and they will learn to relax.

They may always run when you try to pick them up...it's only natural as their basic instincts tell them that being grabbed and swooped into the air is something a predetor would do. Mine will hole still for scritching in their cage but they seem to know when I am going to pick them up and they run like crazy. They do settle down once I have them securely and I speak to them.

 

[widallas]

We just got our guys a few weeks ago, and they are still adjusting to their new home. I think that it's easy to forget how short a time you've actually had them, so I marked the date on my calendar when we adopted them, and a little "1, 2, 3" etc. on the same day each week for the month. I remember back to when we first got them, and we are quite happy with how far they've come. Patience is the key -- I'm sure that it will get easier as the months progress.

 

[pennick]

Constantly talk to them "baby talk" they love that by their cage and try to give them treats, (a piece of fruit, veggie,). After a day or two, try to give them lap time for a few minutes maybe twice a day so they get used to you and your hands. Try to be consistant with your lap time (I feel its very important for bonding). I gave mine lap time separately. I found it was easier that way. Maybe 10 minutes each in the beginning, on a towel since they do tend to urinate.

 

[Myspoiltpiggies]

Don't worry - they will trust you eventually. All of mine have been skittish to start with and I notice that they never seem to drink any water for the first few days. It takes time, I agree with the suggestions you have already been given on this thread - talk gently to them, offer them veggies by hand, stroke them gently every time you go past their cage. In a few weeks you probably won't believe they are the same guineas!

 

[kkdmagee]

Thank you, all of these suggestions make sense...part of the issue may be that we have 2 kids who want to handle them more than they are ready so I'm trying to not have them picked up too much right away and hopefully ease into it. They were "chirping" quite a bit when I gave them a big bowl of cilantro and greens today (one of their favorites, apparently) so hopefully we are on our way.