How to Raise a Friendly Guinea Pig

By mollyhcarter

Instructions

Step 1:
Situate them in a public area. Guinea pigs like to be a part of the family and want to be in the middle of things. Don’t stick them in a back bedroom or a garage. They need an opportunity to get comfortable with your routines.
Step 2:
Give them a hideaway. Although it might seem like you are encouraging your guinea pig to be antisocial, giving them a place to hideaway when they are nervous actually helps your guinea pig feel more soothed.
Step 3:
Talk to them. At first, guinea pigs can be skittish because they aren’t familiar with you or their surroundings. Talk to them often. Your guinea pig will begin to feel more comfortable around you.
Step 4:
Feed them. Guinea pigs love fresh veggies and hay. Each day offer your guinea pig some parsley or a carrot by slowing putting your hand in the cage. Encourage your guinea pig to eat from your hand. Although they may be hesitant at first, you will find they will soon walk right up to you and eat directly from your hand.
Step 5:
Move slowly. While your guinea pig is getting accustomed to life in your home, move slowly around their cage. When you are reaching inside, slow movements let them know you won’t harm them.
Step 6:
Pet them. Even as your guinea pig is getting use to you, guinea pigs enjoy physical stimulation. Reach your hand in slowly. If your guinea pig is nervous, offer them some food and pet them gently on their back, head or nose as they eat.
Step 7:
Learn to hold them properly. Guinea pigs are long creatures with a soft midsection. Never grasp a guinea pig by their body. Gently scoop them up with one hand supporting their mid section and one hand under their butt. If you grab them in the middle it may squish their internal organs. They will squeal in protest. Hold them close to your body because heights scare them.
Step 8:
Let them run. Guinea pigs, like any animal, need exercise. By allowing playtime outside the cage, your guinea pig will feel more comfortable in your home. Sit with them in an area and let them run around and sniff you. Once they realize you aren’t a threat, they will be more apt to bond with you.
Step 9:
Be patient. Although your guinea pig may take a while to warm up to you, once they are comfortable, most guinea pigs love to be held and pet. They will coo and purr for attention.

Tips & Warnings

Guinea pigs are naturally social creatures so be patient.

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