Hello! I got my first guinea pigs this week, named Pickles and Q-tip, I'll post pictures when I can. At first I only got one, with plans to get a second guinea pig on my next paycheck. I learned almost immediately that was a bad idea. I figured Pickles would be fine for a week until I got paid again, but he was so skittish and would only come out at night to eat. So I went ahead and got him a buddy two days later, Q-tip. I got them from the same place and they already knew each other, and as soon as I put them together, Pickles immediately opened up and they were exploring and playing in their new home uncaring that I was right next to them.
Now for questions.
1.) They are both very skittish and run when I get near the cage or if I walk by, the most they will do is creep up to my hand and sniff it before running away. Is it okay to pick them up and hold them even if they don't like it right now? I wrapped Pickles up in a sheet today and pet him under it and while he didn't try to run away he definitely didn't like it. I know I need to be patient and continue trying to bond and pet them, but I want to know what is too much too soon, I've only had them four days.
2.) I've read that petstore guinea pigs don't know what veggies are, and I think this is true since neither of my piggies have any interest in the celery or carrots I've put out for them. I've tried dicing the celery up really fine, I'll check it tonight when I get home, but is there a veggy that is more popular among piggies that I can try? (I ran out of carrots. ) (Also, please don't hate on me for buying from a pet store, I didn't know. )
3.) What are a few ways I can get them used to being petted and held?
I keep them in the living room already so they can see me and my fiance every day (that's where we hang out the most to watch tv). If we are just chilling and not talking much they will come out and eat in front of us until one of us sneezes and they high tail it back to their safe corner lol.
As for their set up, I have an 8sqft cage with a fleece pad ( I made it myself, it has an absorbent cotton layer in the middle, it seems to stay really dry) with a towel under that. they have a box for hay, a food bowl, a water bottle, a few wooden chews, one of those chewable pet houses, and a hammock.
Also, I kept seeing people say they use a ladle to scoop up poop, I thought that was really dumb until I tried it. Holy crap that was a brilliant idea.
Now for questions.
1.) They are both very skittish and run when I get near the cage or if I walk by, the most they will do is creep up to my hand and sniff it before running away. Is it okay to pick them up and hold them even if they don't like it right now? I wrapped Pickles up in a sheet today and pet him under it and while he didn't try to run away he definitely didn't like it. I know I need to be patient and continue trying to bond and pet them, but I want to know what is too much too soon, I've only had them four days.
2.) I've read that petstore guinea pigs don't know what veggies are, and I think this is true since neither of my piggies have any interest in the celery or carrots I've put out for them. I've tried dicing the celery up really fine, I'll check it tonight when I get home, but is there a veggy that is more popular among piggies that I can try? (I ran out of carrots. ) (Also, please don't hate on me for buying from a pet store, I didn't know. )
3.) What are a few ways I can get them used to being petted and held?
I keep them in the living room already so they can see me and my fiance every day (that's where we hang out the most to watch tv). If we are just chilling and not talking much they will come out and eat in front of us until one of us sneezes and they high tail it back to their safe corner lol.
As for their set up, I have an 8sqft cage with a fleece pad ( I made it myself, it has an absorbent cotton layer in the middle, it seems to stay really dry) with a towel under that. they have a box for hay, a food bowl, a water bottle, a few wooden chews, one of those chewable pet houses, and a hammock.
Also, I kept seeing people say they use a ladle to scoop up poop, I thought that was really dumb until I tried it. Holy crap that was a brilliant idea.