How To Tame A Guinea Pig?
If you want to tame your guinea pig, know a lot depends on the personality of the individual specimen. In unusual situations, guinea pigs are naturally nervous, because they are prey animals. As a result, they sometimes have a very strong response when they feel threatened.
This is especially the case with guinea pigs that have not been socialized since birth. For this reason, representatives of this species purchased from a “home” breeder tend to be friendlier and less anxious than those bought in pet stores.
Some can be nervous and fearful in the presence of people, so for their happiness and for your happiness, it is important that you spend a lot of time taming your little friend.
How to tame a guinea pig
Before starting the process of taming your guinea pig, you will need to establish an association between you and your pet’s favorite snacks. Fresh vegetables and small pieces of fruit represent an ideal temptation, which your pet will hardly be able to resist.
At the beginning of each taming session, remove toys or other obstacles from the cage or pen so that your pet does not have a ready-to-use hiding place. It is important that there is nothing that can interfere between you. This will help the guinea pig to direct its attention to you and to the tasty reward you are offering it.
Familiarize yourself with a reward
Start by approaching your guinea pig’s cage or pen a few times a day. Speak softly to your pet while tidying up the cage or placing water or food inside. During this stage, do not try to touch or manipulate your guinea pig.
Once the guinea pig is accustomed to your presence near and around the cage, talk to him in a low voice and offer him a snack. If the animal takes it from your fingers, you can continue. If, on the other hand, your pet gets scared and does not accept it, get away and take the delicacy with you.
Build trust
Repeat the act of offering snacks several times a day, until your guinea pig accepts them, taking them from your hands. This phase can last a week or more, so be patient. In general, guinea pigs quickly overcome their doubts and come to meet you to receive food.
You will soon see that it will be helpful to offer treats before putting normal food into the classroom. Do not leave snacks in the cage to let the animal wait until you are gone. Continue to feed him directly from your hand until he feels confident approaching you. After the little pig establishes a relationship between you and his favorite prize, he will run up to you as soon as he sees you.
Stroke it
Now that your guinea pig is happy because he has been nibbling on a snack while you are holding him, you can start stroking him gently. To begin, use your finger to gently stroke your pet’s side. Do not raise your hand above him, as this could scare him.
Once the animal accepts with pleasure to let itself be touched, you can lift it and take it out of its cage. Put your pet on your lap and give him a gift. Caress him gently and talk to him softly while enjoying his snack.
This experience must be enjoyable for your pet. Again, he’ll associate the treat with his favorite food. Repeat this process several times a day, until your pet feels comfortable. Limit the duration of these sessions to a maximum of 10 minutes.
Tips for handling a guinea pig
A fundamental aspect of how to tame a guinea pig is learning how to handle it correctly. When handling it, it is imperative that you do it correctly, to avoid frightening or hurting your pet.
To lift him, place your right hand on his shoulders. Don’t squeeze it. Place your right thumb behind your pet’s front legs. Then place one or two fingers in front of his right thigh and the other two behind. Finally, place your left hand under the guinea pig’s rear so that it has full support.
Be cautious
Lift your guinea pig horizontally, being careful not to let its hind legs dangle. If it squirms or tries to struggle, hold its hind legs still with the fingers of your left hand. Avoid supporting your pet vertically, as it could hurt their back.
After you lift your guinea pig off the ground, curl it up close to your chest. This will help your pet feel safe and secure, and will be less likely to panic.
If your guinea pig starts having problems after you have held him for a few minutes, he may need to urinate. If your guinea pig writhes, always put him back on the ground to avoid stressing him and making him feel uncomfortable. Guinea pigs are very sensitive to the state of mind of their owners and, if you get nervous and try to speed things up, your taming sessions are unlikely to be successful.
