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Original poster

Guinea Pigs unhappy on grass?

17 replies

sallythesheep73 · 12/09/2018 13:34

We have had our 2 male guinea pigs about 3 weeks now. At first they were terrified in their cage in doors and just stood like statues. They are still timid but atleast they are rushing about and eating. We are trying to handle them every day to get them a bit more used to us.
Today I have put them out on grass for the second time in a run. They have a shelter over the top and I left a box for them to sit in. They have now been there an hour and have not left the box...

They look so unhappy :-(. I have even put some spinach out which is their favourite...

Any tips??

OP posts:
zucchinicourgette · 12/09/2018 13:38

IME they don't like to be exposed to the world. Whenever I let mine out of their cage they hid under things. I put some sheets of newspaper out and they would run around under those.

BertieBotts · 12/09/2018 13:43

I'm sure they'll get there, I think I'd just try for half an hour or so a day and increase once they get a bit more adventurous.

BlackStoneCherie · 12/09/2018 13:49

As pp said, they don't like being exposed, they like to hide under things. Taking them outside with just a box to hide under will be very scary for them. They like hay, newspaper etc to burrow into.

theconstantinoplegardener · 12/09/2018 13:57

All my guinea pigs loved the garden! They do need enclosed hideeholes though. We had one of those Toblerone shaped arcs for the garden, with one end completely enclosed and they would nap in there but spend a lot of time grazing the grass.

user1494670108 · 12/09/2018 14:01

Can you put a blanket or something over the outside run?

Original poster
sallythesheep73 · 12/09/2018 14:06

I have a blanket over the top of 3/4 of the length of the run so that they are not 'exposed'. But still they are sitting in their little box .... :-(

I can see they have moved within the box but still not ventured out...

OP posts:
fanomoninon · 12/09/2018 14:10

Guineas are prey animals, and they are pretty careful about being exposed - ours always ran round the edges of stuff, even when they got big and relatively confident. Can you put some tunnels in, maybe 'joined up' to their box - or a few boxes with the bottoms cut off so they can graze whilst feeling very safe?

Original poster
sallythesheep73 · 12/09/2018 14:12

They have 2 tubes in the run and a little box to sit in and a blanket over the run so they are shrouded... I cant think of anything else!!

OP posts:
TheVanguardSix · 12/09/2018 14:19

How old are they, OP?
We got ours last December at 10 weeks old and honestly it’s only since about May that they’ve sort of lost their fixed ‘terrified of death at any given moment’ catatonic stare. I find there are days where they love the garden, the grass, and love being cuddled and then there are days where they act like the grass is as pleasant as hot coals and cuddles are met with total resistance and anxiety. Mine are totally neurotic most of the time. But I love them! Smile Weirdos that they are.

Just keep going. Keep trying. Mine are definitely less frolicky and chipper since the autumnal weather set in. They seem to prefer the cage much more these days.

Original poster
sallythesheep73 · 12/09/2018 14:34

TheVanguardSix I love the description ' ‘terrified of death at any given moment’ catatonic stare'. That is exactly how they are!!
DH is at home most of the time and is surprisingly keen on them and has some low morale moments because it makes you feel like a rodent killer!

OP posts:
fanomoninon · 12/09/2018 14:35

are the tubes right next to the box (ie they can get from one to the other without touching the lava ;-) Might help? Otherwise, give it time I think - 3 months in is still pretty early, and this is only their second time in the run. I would definitely look at ways to ensure they can graze without going out of their box too (ie cut bottom off box) so they can get the idea that eating that stuff under their feet is wonderful!

Original poster
sallythesheep73 · 12/09/2018 14:37

Hot lava! I love it. What snowflakes they are!!

I did ask the breeder we bought them off and she did say they have been out a couple of times and would get used to it and SHOULD(!) love it in the end!!

OP posts:
Original poster
sallythesheep73 · 12/09/2018 14:55

One has made it to the opening of the box!! (after 1.5 hours!)

OP posts:
EastMidsGPs · 12/09/2018 14:59

As pp have said they don't like to feel exposed. I always put a blanket over the top of our run, one end of the run is wood, so they have a covered dark place to go. They also have a tunnel in the run which Sadie sits in for hours at a time.
Give them cover, the lure of eating fresh grass will get to them eventually and you'll see more of them.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 12/09/2018 22:17

we have tarpaulins over the runs at the moment (waterproof windproof and a rather jazzy royal blue Grin )

The still leg it to their hiding spaces and huddle away , GP6 parks his ample arse in the wooden house and giraffe necks to get grass.

They never lose that edge of fear, no matter how old , how blase , how lardy - they are prey animals.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 15/09/2018 11:49

Mine are out now enjoying some ear-height autumn grass.

NDN are in their garden chopping things up. The DC in the next garden are playing. Pigs are not phased.

If I walk past the cage they'll stampede like wild mustang to their houses.
NotTheSharpestKnivesInTheDrawer

Original poster
sallythesheep73 · 16/09/2018 21:42

I love this If I walk past the cage they'll stampede like wild mustang to their houses. . ha ha ha!

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