How can I get my guinea pigs to want to come out??

Question

Hi, we've had our guinea pigs for just over a week now and they are really happy, they run around and when they hear food they squeak etc...It is obvious that they are becoming quite tame however, as soon as we try to stroke them they run away and it's been getting worse over the last few days. Once they eventually come out the hutch they are fine and enjoy being stroked. I'm just wondering if its the way we hold them when we take them out that they don't like? If anyone has any suggestions on how to get used to us handling them then they would be gladly apprieciated thank-you.

Answer 1

What I did at first so my little piggie would leave her hut, I would put some hay a little ways away from her hut, then sit back a little bit and wait for them to come out and eat her hay. When she did you slowly move your hand in there with a little more hay, and when they are completly out you pick them up!

Answer 2

Hey, we used to have a rabbit and he was the same, he would not come out of the hutch, but when we finally managed to hold him he was fine. It all depends on how you're holding them too. If you're dragging them out they're bound to become tame! Just be gentle and make your movements very slow as not to frighten them. What we used to do was leave a treat just outside the hutch to tempt the rabbit, and it seemed to work! Good luck!

Answer 3

Guinea Pigs are in the wild prey to a lot of other animals and their defence is to run away and hide. They are seeing your hand as a threat. They will eventually get used to you (mine could only just be held onto when we first got him but now he doesn't have a problem with being stroked).

When holding them you need to make sure that you support them, however if they run when you stroke them they are not tame enough for that. If you push them it will make the problem worse as they will develop a fear of you which is not a good thing. Leave them alone and when you do talk to them and reassure them.

The best thing to do is to take your time. Rushing them won't help them or you.

Answer 4

My daughter has had 3 guinea pigs. The oldest is almost 6 years.

I can tell you that they all have different personalities and it just depends on the pig. We had one that loved being held, one that didn't mind, but didn't prefer it, and the other hated being held or even touched. Your best bet would be to make sure when you pick them up, you support their bum. They feel scared and vulnerable when they are picked up with their bum unsupported. Also, have some parsley available for munching. They absolutely love parsley. If you feed them while holding them, they learn to enjoy it. Good luck!

Answer 5

Be calm, stroke them, hand feed them and they will be ok. Hope this helps!