Handling Cavies

[Cavy Tamer]

I've had my cavies for a few weeks now. They honestly hate to be picked up and held. They can tolerate being held, but they would really rather not be. I handle them every day, and feed them well, and built a nice big 2 x4 cage, which they love (even though I can't really walk around the room much). They are not really scared of me, because they come and sniff my hand if I put it in the cage, but they can sense when I am going to pick them up and run. Also, I can't hold them for too long, because they pee and poop on me. I only have so many towels, and its annoying having to do laundry so often..... I've tried to "litter train" them, but it hasn't had a great amount of success. What gets cavy pee stains out of couches? They also scratch and bite and scream. I'm not mean to them at all....

Did I just get bad pigs? Will they become better companion pets? Or should I just resign them as "watch me" pets, and get a rabbit?

 

[Slap Maxwell]

All pigs hate to be picked up. They normally tolerate or acctually like being pet. Start incprparating veggies into the handling routine, and start feeding the nightly veggis by hand. That should help.

 

[Cavy Tamer]

All pigs hate to be picked up. They normally tolerate or acctually like being pet. Start incprparating veggies into the handling routine, and start feeding the nightly veggis by hand. That should help.

Well, I've actually been doing that. They like being fed.... but I only have so much food....

They've also bonded REALLY well, which is good. But the problem is that if I take one out, they cry for each other.

 

[TheAlmightyMiko]

the problem is that if I take one out, they cry for each other.

I've found this with my boys too. The only solution I have been able to come up with is to take them out together and have lap time with both of them. Sometimes they are Ok alone, but I just have to time it right

I have found that my boys hate having lap time if they can still see their cage---all they want to do is try to get back home. They nip, scratch, whine, etc. BUT, if I take them into another room, then they completely forget about trying to scratch and climb all over me to get home and settle into lap time quite nicely.

 

[luvfamrap]

it takes a while for then to warm up t o you.And if you just stoped petting them all together that would horrible! how can you look at those cute little faces and not pick them up?????

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Rabbits hate being picked up too. GPs and rabbits are prey animals. They are scared of being picked up.

 

[Cavy Tamer]

Rabbits hate being picked up too. GPs and rabbits are prey animals. They are scared of being picked up.

The good thing about rabbits is that they aren't really skittish, right?

It takes me a while of chasing my cavies around the cage before I can trap them to pick them up. I always feel bad about it.

 

[pennick]

Take a piece of coroplast or cardboard or whatever and use it as a divider to put into the cage to corner them in one section. This way they have nowhere to run and makes it much easier to capture them.

 

[Zao77]

mine act weirded out when you pick them up.. I think its normal. One of mine even screams! I use a designated "guinea towel" since one of them always pees on me after about 5 minutes of being held. Its a bummer, but better than pee on couch (which he has done that before)- exra febreez seemed to get that off..



ps.. Rabbits dont like being picked up at all.. my rabbits werent too keen on it for a long time. They also bite quite a bit more than guinea pigs. Perhaps a rabbit's brain is larger in certain respects.

 

[Rachy1412]

I have one rabbit who likes being picked up and two that do not. Rabbits do not bite more than guinea pigs. They will nip but this is a sign of affection.. (I know.. strange!)

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Rabbits can kick and scratch if they are not comfortable, like when you pick them up because they think you're a hawk or predator.

It really depends on the rabbit and their personality. They can be skittish at first, but they can warm up once they get to know you and trust you. They like being petted, but usually want to keep their feet on the ground.

 

[Cavy Tamer]

Rabbits can kick and scratch if they are not comfortable, like when you pick them up because they think you're a hawk or predator.

It really depends on the rabbit and their personality. They can be skittish at first, but they can warm up once they get to know you and trust you. They like being petted, but usually want to keep their feet on the ground.

So... I am told some rabbits are affectionate and some are not...... some guinea pigs are affectionate and some are not.....

When I actually buy the animal, what is a good indicator that the animal will be more similar to what I'd like it to be?

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Please don't buy the animal, rescue one.

If you see the animal and it comes right up to you, or it dosn't mind being picked up, those are signs that will continue.

 

[Rachy1412]

So... I am told some rabbits are affectionate and some are not...... some guinea pigs are affectionate and some are not...

It is just the way it is I am afraid. Out of three of my rabbits only one shows affection to me. But she hates being handled, she won't kick and bite because she has learn't that I am not going to hurt her. My other female rabbit is aggressive but is perfect when picked up! My male rabbit on the other hand kicks very hard, but I have only had him for about 4weeks!

In my opinion guinea pigs are much easier to handle.

 

[mom to cujo]

Slap and I both recently adopted animals that had little to no human contact for the first months of their life. Sebastian has gradually become more and more trusting, allows the occasional pet and some holding if I get ahold of him without too much battle. Cujo, my other pig is very affectionate - purrs when he hears my voice and rubs on me and kisses me all the time. When I first got Sebastian, he was scared to death - it takes time. I've had him for 2 1/2 months and he is gradually coming around. Be patient and loving and you will see a gradual change.

 

[weaseldropping]

It has taken my Offie 18 months to come to me on her own. She is handled at least twice a day, being moved from the run to the hutch and back, and it has always been a battle to catch her, and hold her whilst she squirmed. Today she suddenly had a personality transplant and came up to me for a dandelion leaf, and then hopped onto my hand to be petted.

Hang on in there, it's so wonderful when the pig makes the choice to come to you.

We also have a rabbit, but she is so dopey that you can just pick her up where is - she never bothers to hop off. Mind you, she is almost completely blind, so maybe she just doesn't know I'm coming up behind her. It doesn't bother her at all, either way. (I think pigs are way better fun than bunnies!)