Cavy Helper

Bringing Your Guinea Pig Home!

 

Guinea pigs need a little space from you for a few days once you have them settled in their cage. They need time to adjust to their surroundings, as we humans do. I would recommend putting the cage where people come and go, but where its not so loud all the time. This way, they're seeing people and they're knowing that there's somebody there.

 

Before going to pick up your guinea pig, you need to set up the cage. You need an igloo, hay rack, water bottle, ceramic food dish, hay, toys, and food. Lay out the bedding in a thin layer, then set the igloo down, attach the hay rack and water bottle, throw some toys around, fill the food, and fill the hay rack with hay.

 

I would suggest bringing a cat travel cage, you know, the little plastic ones? Put the guinea pig in it, with some fleece, lettuce, and hay. Talk soothingly during the car ride, because what may be tiny bumps in the road to us could feel like mountains to your piggy.

 

If you have to stop to get veggies for your guinea pig, don't leave them in the car for too long by themselves. They can get frightened and try to get out.

 

After you get home, slowly take your piggy out of the carrier and put him/her in the cage. Back off, let him explore and let him be for at least a week after taking him/her home.

 

After about a week, you can start introducing yourself to the pig. Start by hand feeding treats, or laying your hand in the cage and let them explore. Do not force feed or grab, this will make the guinea pig even more afraid than you may think.

 

Make sure that you try every day to get him tamed and used to you. This can take a long time, and if your guinea pig goes into his igloo with a low rumbling sound, back up. This is a sign that he is getting angry and he may get mad.

 

It really just depends on the guinea pig. Most warm up quickly, due to their very social nature, while others are shy and scared.

 

Aela, for example, took almost a year to trust me. She has always been very skittish and she likes to run away when i even stick my hand in her cage to grab her bowl.

 

Like i said, give it time, and eventually your cavy will warm up to you.