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Original poster

Am I traumatising my guinea pigs?

14 replies

smurfgirl · 27/10/2008 16:39

We got our new guinea pigs yesterday, they are very tame because the breeder has handled them loads and they have lived together for a month now.

I am quite nervous about animals but am determined to be brave with the piggies and the breeder said to hold them lots and straight away. When I pick them up they completely freeze and I am worried i am hurting them or upsetting them they will sit in our laps and squeak a bit or trill but being picked up seems so traumatic for them

OP posts:

jackofall · 27/10/2008 16:42

keep at it they are fine - their behaviour is natural and the more you handle them the more interactive they will become.

LouMacca · 27/10/2008 16:59

we have had our 2 guinea pigs for nearly 3 months now and tbh they are still seem nervous/scared when i handle them. they are tame though and have never tried to bite us.

i try to give them attention/handle them every day and sit them on my knee and brush them often.

when i clean out the hutch i pop them in the run and even after 3 months they don't seem to like me picking them up and handling them. they run into the bed part of the hutch when i approach it with food etc.

am hoping this is normal behaviour?

jackofall · 27/10/2008 17:12

yep - tbh bought them for the dds - think they are a bit pointless as pets go... mainly squeak and run - but the dds seem to like them so hey ho

Blu · 27/10/2008 17:12

If they are like rabbits they probably like being held securely on a lap, but not being in mid air.

Since they are prey animals, this is too much like being in an eagles claws in mid air! Hold them as securely as possible and get the secure on you lap asap, and see if that helps.

LouMacca · 27/10/2008 17:25

jacko - we bought our for dcs but they have absolutely no interest in them now! luckily for the guinea pigs i have really taken to them, they are so cute.

blu - your right, mid air obviously is the problem. they aren't happy if i carry them back to the hutch and twinkle nearly jumped out of my arms onto the lawn over the weekend.

Original poster

smurfgirl · 27/10/2008 18:04

Blu that makes sense. The breeder gave us some good advice to pop them into a bucket like this:
ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41P0QG3VGCL.AA280.jpg and then carry them in that to wherever we want to, often in between us and we take them out for cuddles and pop them back in when they get a bit agitated. So we are not hauling them in the air over the living room!

I find it hard to read their noises too - what is happy squeaking and what is grumpy?

OP posts:

LouMacca · 27/10/2008 18:10

will get a bucket. looks like i am the one traumatising my guinea pigs

christywhisty · 27/10/2008 23:45

Ours like to have something to hide if their scared. If they seem nervous get them something to cover them over while they are sitting on your lap.

Original poster

smurfgirl · 28/10/2008 13:14

More angst. When I cuddle them they seem ok but when I put them back in their cage/bucket they freeze and huddle together, am I scaring them?

Do they have a noise they make when they are scared?

OP posts:

OrmIrian · 28/10/2008 13:18

Hold them upright against your chest with your hand supporting their bottoms. They they can snuggle into your neck.

Scared GPs make a series of really shrill long squeaks. Or no sound at all IME.

They are just getting used to their new surroundsings and people. Lots of handling will help. Perhaps also offer treats when ever they are in a situation that causes them to be unhappy - whatever that might be.

2sugars · 28/10/2008 13:18

Rabbits don't have a noise when you scare them - they just bite you. Our gp is much nicer. Get a puppy and clear up dog poo rather than hutches every third day!

nickytwooootimes · 28/10/2008 13:21

SOunds like normal guinea behavior.
With ours, we built up hte time on our laps.
In a few weeks they will be very cuddly, especially if they were handled a lot at the breeders.
They are very nervous of new surroundings, but adjust quickly.
I agree that guineas take a long tiime to adjust to being picked up - it is indeed the prey animal thing. Hug them in to your chest as soon as you can on liofting thme.

CoffeeCrazedMama · 29/10/2008 13:25

Yes, as Nicky says, hold them close. Particularly if you are wearing a fleece or soft cardy - ours love that!

Original poster

smurfgirl · 29/10/2008 19:42

They have chilled out a lot since we got them on Sunday so all is well They don't freeze nearly as much although it is hilarious to watch them crowd into their little house when someone approaches!

Two of them get very squeaky sitting on our laps now and I have managed to get the other one to do a few little squeaks. I am completely smitten which is ridiculous because they are rodents but they are lovely and cuddely and seem to have v.distinct personalities!

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