Bonding Help me

[Playjak]

I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I just need to be more patient. Long story short I think I was too quick to pull my 2 female guinea pigs from their cage to be held and for floor time. As of now I'm trying my best to re earn their trust with food and not picking them up. Even when I place food in the hiddie with them they will not touch it if I'm close by. Did I screw up? Is it possible to still salvage our relationship? While the one has also been quick to hide, the other was brave enough to eat food from my hand when I first brought her home. Should I still stick around the cage at meal time so they will associate me with food? Or do I need to give them space and leave after giving food?

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

The two biggest words you need to remember are TIME and PATIENCE.

Guinea pigs are prey animals and as such they are hard wired to fear anything that isn't another guinea pig. Offering yummy treats is one way, but don't over do it. Once a day for a baby carrot or a slice of cucumber is a great way to start but you do NOT want to overfeed them treats.

Some pigs never come around and remain skittish their entire lives. Some are little lovebugs right off the bat. There is no way to predict what personality your pig will have. But time and patience are your biggest tools. It can take months for them to trust you and even years. And some never will.

Sitting in, if possible, or near their cage with them and reaching in to pet them on a regular basis and talking to them to get them used to your voice is a great way to get them used to you. Be very careful if you have a cage large enough to sit in like I do, as they move quickly and you don't want to accidentally hurt them.

As long as you understand this and don't get frustrated you'll be fine. Handling is a must, as they will require nail clippings, health checks and whatnot so holding them for a treat is a good way to gain trust.

Enjoy them for what they are, little critters with big personalities and quirks.

 

[Mizz P]

Guinea Pig Papa is spot on! I have a single boar who was very skittish and nervous for the first several months. I had very good luck with simply sitting next to his cage and reading or watching tv in the evening. At first, I didn't even look at him and he eventually started coming out of his hidey for hay. Then he came to trust me looking at him and speaking softly to him. It took a few weeks of just letting him become comfortable with my presence. Eventually I started poking my finger through the cage grids for him to sniff and we've been good ever since. He still isn't a big fan of being picked up, which isn't unusual for a prey animal, but once he's in my lap, he's good. I think one of the greatest lessons we get from having a guinea pig is patience! Be patient and you will be rewarded.