Hey guys! New Guinea Pig owner (2) ANY HELPFUL TIPS? (I HAVE A IMPORTANT QUESTION...)

[I LOVE MY PIGS]

I made them a HUGE 2x5 grid wire cage they love it I love small animals hamsters and guinea pigs. So I got them at petco a few days ago i think it was 4 days ago, petsmart was having a 50% OFF sale on EVERYTHING cuz that store was closing so I stalked up on timothy bale hay and pellets ! I have enought o last me me atleast half a year. I love them so much.

IMPORTANT PLEASE ANSWER: I am just a little worried. EVERYTIME i try to pick them up to get them out of the cage they jump and run away from me everytime :[ do guinea pigs not like being held? When I do hold em I lay with them on my bed talking to them (i take them out one at a time) the little sqeek sound is it okay for them to do that when im petting them on my bed? Or does it mean they dont like it and dont want to be pet... And when I pet a certain spot on their backs they purr is this good or bad? please answer!!!

 

[arionat799]

Welcome to the forum!

Don't worry, it is normal for pigs to be quite skittish. Some outgrow it. Some just are plain more outgoing than others from the start. Some will be that way all their lives. It is just normal for them since they are natural prey animals. However, they do like being held. It's just the actual picking-up part that they aren't so fond of. Maybe try taking them all out at once, and they may feel more safe and comfortable around you.

Also, they will squeak, these little critters make all sorts of noises. Squeaking is usually good, meaning they like the petting they are receiving. Ginger (my pig) purrs when I pet past her waist. Pigs have their own touchy-feely spots that they plain out just don't like pet.

P.S. Do you have any pigtures of your pair you could share? We are quite addicted to them here .

 

[PiggyKat]

Mine always run when I try to get them out. They are prey animals so it is is their nature to run away. As for noises, mine purr when being petted. As long as your g pig is not trying to run away of making noises of distress i wouldn't worry but that is only my opinion! Mine make little chirping noises when out of the cage. I call it talking to one another since when one starts the others follow.
Just my opinion!

 

[I LOVE MY PIGS]

Welcome to the forum!

Don't worry, it is normal for pigs to be quite skittish. Some outgrow it. Some just are plain more outgoing than others from the start. Some will be that way all their lives. It is just normal for them since they are natural prey animals. However, they do like being held. It's just the actual picking-up part that they aren't so fond of. Maybe try taking them all out at once, and they may feel more safe and comfortable around you.

Also, they will squeak, these little critters make all sorts of noises. Squeaking is usually good, meaning they like the petting they are receiving. Ginger (my pig) purrs when I pet past her waist. Pigs have their own touchy-feely spots that they plain out just don't like pet.

P.S. Do you have any pigtures of your pair you could share? We are quite addicted to them here .

thank you so much for the reply, im taking pictures right now! they will be up soon check back in about 2 minutes bud!

 

[arionat799]

No problem, can't wait!

 

[I LOVE MY PIGS]

 

[arionat799]

Very cute! and I love your cage! What are your pigs' names?

 

[TheGuineas]

I've had mine for around 6 months now and they still run away from being held. One is completely just terrified of life but I've worked with them so much and they are both getting better. Just be patient.. mine are taking a long time to get comfortable around me but even the smallest of progress is so rewarding! I have one piggy that even chatters at me in anger when I try to pick him up (he is completely fine afterwards though).. it just saddens me.. sometimes I lay on the ground with them and they popcorn all around me and will come check me out.. they like that A LOT better than being held.. you'll figure it out! It all just takes time!

 

[TheGuineas]

Your piggies are sooo cute! I love how they are laying in their food bowls hahah

 

[Petlovr]

I love how they are laying in their food bowls hahah

I had to laugh at that, too. I think they need cuddle cups, LOL. They are so cute!

 

[I LOVE MY PIGS]

the brown one is goofball and the white one is henry!

 

[I LOVE MY PIGS]

i was gonna buy two cozy couches at petsmart but theve been sold out... They spend most of their time chillin in their food bowls! . Also, is thier any way to make their hair smooth? the hair is all out of control!

 

[I LOVE MY PIGS]

LOL My room is like a ZOO!!! Haha and did you see my hamster cages? both of those are for just one hamster! I spoil my animals because I love them so much the cage is connected and my hamster bascially has a Mansion for herself and my guinea pigs have a great big cage and im just wondering what else i should put in the cage for them!

 

[Raine59]

You might try a fleece forest in one corner. They are usually a big hit. One of my two pigs is in it most of the time. One of my pigs doesn't like being picked up much but if she's in her fleece forest at the time, she doesn't complain. If you aren't sure what a fleece forest is, either do a search or some of us can post pics of ours.

 

[PiggyKat]

Your pigs are a kind call Abyssinian or abys for short. There hair will always be that way! I love it! looks like a cow licked them in different directions!
You can buy cuddle cups online for fairly cheap. Love the names!

 

[kananaka]

Hello and welcome @(broken link removed)
Etsy - Your place to buy and sell all things handmade, vintage, and supplies is a great place to search for cuddle cups, beds, couches etc... And a member of this site CanadianComforts has an online store where you can buy them too, I actually just ordered 2 beds from her Welcome To Canadian Comforts .

 

[SeeSpotSit]

Welcome!! Yes, the running is normal but might get better. Mine do a little better now that I hand feed them most of their veggies I have an abby mix and his hair is crazy too! That pic in the food bowl cracked me up.

Another great place for cuddle cups/cozies/condos etc is (broken link removed) She just reopened and her prices are very reasonable (and they're put together very well). I also second the fleece forest - one of my piggies' favorite places to be.

 

[I LOVE MY PIGS]

okay thanks guys! i love these guys there great i just hate how they smell like poop all the time lol i bought the small animal spray on shampoo from petsmart and i will do it once a month or can i do it more then that? i did it the other day and it really made their hair 10x better they dont sleep in the pigloos! they sleep in their foodbowls i dont know why LOL

 

[CritterLuvva]

The crazy hair style of the Abyssinian is what I love most about them! You have a cute pair.

DIY Fleece Forest

https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/67935/

I'm also a fan of PiggyPigPigs, as are a few others around here. She's a You Tuber and has her own Etsy shop.

Piggiepigpigs - YouTube
Handmade small animal items for your Guinea Pigs by Piggiepigpigs

There are a TON of things you can do with your piggy cage.

Pigjes is another YouTuber who has done a lot of creative things with her piggy cage. You could always check her out to get a few ideas as well.

Pigjes - YouTube

Good luck with your piggies and welcome to Cavy Cages!

Self Edit: As far as your shampoo question is concerned, once a month should be plenty. Just make sure you clean their cage regularly- spot clean twice a day, thorough clean once a week- and you should be good to go. Piggies don't smell horribly if they are taken good care of. Unfortunately, they usually aren't at a pet store.