Guinea pigs are wonderful companion animals who can add such life to a home. It’s important to keep in mind though, that guinea pigs are prey animals, and it’s a natural survival instinct for them to be frightened of unfamiliar surroundings, circumstances or big scary predators (like humans!). In order to help your guinea pals live their best life, you can follow some easy steps to increase their comfort in your company.
Get on their level
The average human height is around 170cm – that is as much as 17 times the height of a guinea pig, so imagine what we must look like to them when we tower over their enclosures. So first of all, let’s try not to stand over their spaces, and perhaps kneel or sit down near their homes instead.
Try spending time near your guinea pigs’ home without trying to interact with them. Yep, totally ignore them – it will allow them to investigate and observe you and start to get used to your presence. Ignoring your gorgeous companions can be a tricky task, so make it easier on yourself by reading a book, playing on your phone or crocheting – do whatever you’d enjoy. Our goal here is to show the piggies we respect and adore them, without making them uncomfortable.
Start the conversation
Guinea pigs are by their very nature chatterboxes, lets match their energy! Help your companions get used to the sound of your voice by complaining about your boss, reading a story aloud or just chatting.
As prey animals, it is essential that they always maintain a high level of awareness of their surroundings, to avoid any predators. As guinea pigs don’t have strong vision, they are very dependent on their hearing to understand their environment. However, when they are in your cosy and safe home, this vigilance can make them more nervous and reactive to the natural sounds of a household. Talking to guinea pigs is a nice way to help them get used to the sounds of life, as is the radio at a suitable volume. Some consistent noise over time will help your guinea pals understand that noise does not always mean danger, and they will start to relax in their environment and eventually be less reactive. This will also help them during firework season or if there’s any building works around.
Give guinea pigs a hand
Once your guinea pals are used to your presence, and know that whilst some big predators are scary, you are not, you can start to interact with them more directly. Another survival skill guinea pigs use is their keen sense of smell, which we can work with by letting them get used to the smell of us and our hands. Start by letting your companions smell your hands through the bars of their home and then perhaps offer them a treat. The guinea pigs may take some time to feel brave enough to take food directly from you, so start by placing the treat near them, but not so close as to startle them. You can slowly move closer over time, until one day your guinea pigs will be racing over to meet your treat-laden hands.
If your piggies don’t feel ready to take a treat directly from you, don’t take it away – they still deserve something yummy! Leave the treat nearby and they’ll have it when they feel ready.
Embracing the pig
Once we have all got nice and confident with being around each other, accepting treats and being stroked, we can turn our attention to the next goal, cuddling your companions.
It’s important to start this off with a reminder that guinea pigs are prey animals, who do not naturally climb or jump high. They are going to find the process of being picked up really frightening at first. But there are a few ways we can make the process easier.
Firstly, when we pick up our piggy pals, we could use a hide, bed or tray to do so. This will give the animals a sense of security and something stable to stand or rest on. Not only this, but it also minimises the risk of any rogue jumps or drops.
When holding the guinea pigs, it’s important you make sure they are safe, with stable support under all four feet, and if handling without a bed, hide or similar, as soon as you can, tuck the guinea pigs against your body for comfort and security. Tucking the guinea pigs against your body and helping them stand in their natural position securely will help reduce feelings of vulnerability. Piggies do not spend as much time on their hind legs as rabbits do and will not feel safe doing so.
When your companion is safe in your arms or on your lap, and they start to relax, you might find they fancy a little explore in their surroundings, which of course we want to facilitate while keeping them safe. An exploring piggy is likely a comfortable piggy.
When handling your piggies, it’s best to have one longer handling session a day rather than several short ones, unless there is a medical need for frequent handling. One longer session gives your piggies the time to settle into the cuddle and their fear will naturally reduce in the same way ours would when scared.
I would strongly recommend a couple of towels, pee pads or vet bed during your cuddle sessions. Did you know guinea pigs urinate approximately every 15 minutes? If not, you’ll know soon!
So, some patience, absorbent materials and cucumber or other yummy snacks, are all that stands between you and being your piggies’ bestie.
Back to basics
Going through this whole process is all well and good, but totally pointless if you don’t nail the fundamentals. First and foremost, all piggies are individual and will have individual needs, likes and dislikes.
Secondly, you have got to go in with the right attitude. As humans we do not have dominion over any animals. They are sentient creatures, and they don’t owe us anything. Some guinea pigs might not want to cuddle or be stroked, and we respect them too.
Animals have their own needs, fears and boundaries but they can’t verbalise them. They will communicate these in other ways – moving away from your hand, making a noise, hiding. We must be aware of this and react accordingly.
If a guinea pig is being touched in a way they don’t like, they might chatter more loudly, or chitter, or move away. If they’re enjoying it, they might close their eyes or purr, and if they’re finished, they might just move their head away. My current foster loves a chin scratch and lets me know she’s finished by giving me a kiss on my finger.
Essentially, guinea pigs are unique animals who need love and respect to flourish in your care. They will all be slightly different in manner and needs, and it is our job as guardians to work to understand them and care for them, and when we get the basics right, we can start to build a bond.
