Hi,

We have just purchased 2 female guinea pigs (sisters) and they are around 8 weeks. I know it is early days yet as we have only had them less than a week but I am now wondering if we've done the right thing.

We are handling them every day as per advice we have/been told but they just don't seem to like it. It is difficult to catch them in their hutch as as soon as you put your hand in they are off and when you do get them they seem to shake every few seconds?

My friend has got 2 rabbits that we are looking after and they are so easily handled (they have only had them 2 weeks) and even eat carrots out of your hands. We were told GP's were the best thing for young children but now I'm not so sure.

Will they calm down as they get older? I just can't imagine being at a stage where they will like to be held as the moment.

Any reassurances gratefully received.

Thanks!

It takes a long time to hand tame a small furry. They are naturally prey animals and are therefore a bit anxious being handled by a large predator aka humans. It's only been a week give them a chance. Sit in a room/garden wherever you have them with them on the floor. Ignore them completely and eventually they will come over. Give them a tasty treat maybe some carrot and eventually they'll be coming over happily. Then lift them for a few seconds give them treats for it and build this up.

hi i have a guinea pig and rabbit the rabbit is more likly to bite in my opion but my guinea was very scared and in my opion take longer to tame.Ive had my guinea for half a year and now he will sit on your lap for ages.my friend has a guinea pig whos 4 years takes a bit to catch him but is so tame after

__________________

AM3LiiA Xx...

The animals of the house...
Rabbits: Angus (lionhead) and the nethie gang
Hamster: syrains reggie (long haired) ans (short haired) scooby
Dog:Alfie (soft coated wheaten terrier)
cat: bramble (silver tabby)

I think guinea pigs seem to calm down as they grow older. My two young guinea pigs are very skittish but the ones I got last year are more friendly now and will come to you for veggies. I prefer guinea pigs to rabbits. My two oldest piggies ages 3 and nearly 6 are very tame.

Guinea pigs can always be quite nervy, but they do calm down. Just keep doing what you are doing and they will calm down, I promise! Both my boys were jumpy when they came, now they love attention!

__________________

Photography

Guineas are great pets especially with parents that take the reins and lead with the care,

The great thing about pigs are they are food enorientated (sorry) so little bit of cucumber, greens do wonders in helping them become your new best friends, they do, do much better with age, but it will come it just takes time, mine are 5 and they still scarper untill i get them in my hand then they seem to really enjoy a cuddle.

Be patient the pigs will give you and your kids great pleasure, especially when you see them start to popcorn when they are really happy ,, hopping like lambs.

keep us posted won't you, but trust me quiet voices patents and food are the way to guineas heart.

__________________
Pets:

6 Chickens....
1 cat Alvin
1 dog Tilly

Thanks very much for your replies, really appreciate and feel much better.

My post might have come across as if I was moaning and I wasn't, honestly, I was/am just concerned about stressing them by picking them up as one of them especially (Toffee - the other ones Fudge) does seem to shake/shiver when I'm holding her - has anyone else come across that?

Yes, my Steve was like that when we got him, he just sat they and shivered, and looked very miserable! When they are like that, try holding a carrot, they will soon associate cuddles with munchies Mine will quite happily munch munch munch away on a carrot. In fact, I call guinea pigs eating pooping machines, its what they live to do!

__________________

Photography

Yes I think most of them are like that when they are young but the good thing is that they don't usually bite and once they are tame they are great for cuddling. My Nemo lets me bath him and doesn't bat an eyelid.

Hi had piggies & bunnies, my dad used to breed bunnies, my dad was the softest guy who loved annimals with a passion, he believed you had to let them know you were in charge (pos a hard word to use), picking them up when you wanted to pet & giving lil treat so they saw you as a treat, they do know who they can wind, if you show (not fear) but that you are unsure they will milk it to the end. pick them up at intervals for short times leading to longer & rewarding with a treat. My son had a bunny called Sid he was fierce lil b****r, we had a huge inclosed garden which he had the run of, everytime my lil lad tried to pick him up he would nip, I was used to them & I could call him to me he would run at a belt onto my knee for a cuddle & to be put back into his hutch.......show no fear act as if you are the boss, believe me it works.