Guinea pigs are little charming and adorable creatures popularly known to be pets for both adults and young kids. They can be very friendly and mischievous at times, depending on their personalities. When you first try to pick up a guinea pig, it often runs away. This can heartbreak you as it seems that the guinea pig hates you and, therefore, distances himself from you.
As a matter of fact, that is not the case. Guinea pigs naturally run away as they are prey animals out in the wild. They naturally run away fast enough to slip away from the predators’ deadly claws. On the other hand, guinea pigs will be scared of their owner for the first time, adding that some of them are shy. Humans are way more extensive than guinea pigs, making them scared. Additionally, guinea pigs are not fond of being picked up, jumping, or climbing.
Is It Normal for My Guinea Pig to Be Scared of Me?
Unlike humans, guinea pigs do not communicate as much, so it is crucial to understand them better. Some of the emotions they convey can be negative, including being afraid. A guinea pig is a natural prey, is often very scared as he is defenseless. They tend to get usually frightened and run away from larger animals and human beings.
Slight noises can also make the guinea pig scared and respond by flight. It takes time for them to get used to their surroundings, hence running away from sudden movements that are not dangerous. It also takes time for them to gain trust and become comfortable with a family.
Signs that a Guinea Pig is Scared
Some of the common signs that a guinea pig is scared include;
Hiding all the time- one of the fastest ways to know that the guinea pig is scared is when he is hiding most of the time. As much as guinea pigs love playing hide and seek, it is not typical for them to remain hidden all day. This usually means that he is afraid of something and would rather hide the entire time.
Lack of movements physically– a healthy guinea pig is always moving up and down. If he is not moving and is not lazy or quiet, it is a signal of an issue. A scared guinea pig always tries to reduce its movements to avoid getting the attention of whoever it is afraid of.
Chewing on the cage bars– while chewing is a natural behavior for guinea pigs, chewing on a cage bar is not a healthy habit. When a guinea pig takes up a habit of chewing on the cage bars, it can indicate that he is uncomfortable and is scared.
Being fussy– when a guinea pig is scared, he can be oddly fussy. If he is unusually circling his cage, it means that he is aware of some impending danger. Such behavior is standard in the wild when the guinea pig is being preyed on.
A change in eating and toileting behavior- the other sign of fear in a guinea pig, is when he stops eating or frequently going to the toilet. This can be a sign of a negative emotion like stress or fear. This could sometimes also indicate a problem with his health.
How Do You Deal with A Scared Guinea Pig?
Having a scared guinea pig is not the wish of any pet owner. There are various steps to take to make a scared guinea pig comfortable and safe. They include;
Determine what is scaring him
The first and essential step is to find out what is making the guinea pig scared. There could be multiple reasons for just one thing that makes him uncomfortable, which is essential to know. An excellent way to find out is to identify the first time he started behaving in a scared manner. It could be a new loud alarm, a missing favorite cloth in his cage, or new family members.
Ensure the guinea pig gets enough exercise
Sufficient exercise makes a guinea pig healthy compared to one that does not exercise regularly. An unhealthy guinea pig is more likely to be scared all the time as he is weak and more prone to predators. A domesticated guinea pig still retains the wild instinct. Additionally, a guinea pig that does not exercise regularly is more likely to be stressed since they are usually active animals.
Distract him with toys
Sometimes a guinea pig is merely lonely or bored. This can make him pay attention to things that ignite fear in him, such as loud noise or unfamiliar human beings. To solve this, use pet -toys to make him distracted. When a guinea pig is busy being curious, he will less likely be scared.
Provide various hiding spots
Being prey animals, it is normal for a guinea pig to be often scared. Their natural instinct is to be more careful around other animals. It is vital to have numerous hiding places inside the guinea pigs cage to comfort and reassure him that he can always hide when there is impending danger.
Be nice to the guinea pig.
It is imperative to be nice to the guinea pig regardless of the situation. Using a loud voice, hurting him, or punishing him is not the best way to treat him when he does something you do not like. Guinea pigs cannot differentiate a good habit from a bad one. If you shout or punish him, it makes him more scared and stressed.
Make gradual introductions
Having new people in the house can make a guinea pig scared. When having other family members, allow them to slowly play with the guinea pig until he gets used to them. If he stays withdrawn and shows signs of stress, put him in his cage and try at some other time when he is relaxed. This makes him more social and less scared.
Talk to the guinea pig.
Gently talking to the guinea pig is a great way to interact and make him get used to your voice. A shy guinea pig will respond to both an upbeat and slow tone. Determine the best tone to use with him and the approach that makes him comfortable. Hand-feeding the pig also encourages proper interaction.
Touch and play with the guinea pig.
With time, guinea pigs enjoy playing and being touched gently. You can bring him out of his cage by tightly holding him so he cannot fall and place him in an enclosed area on the floor. Provide treats when he comes closer to you and pet him. This encourages him to play and interact more with you.
Why Does My Guinea Pig Not Want to Be Held?
Guinea pigs are usually not comfortable to be picked up, mostly if they were not handled when they were young. This does not necessarily indicate that they cannot have good relations with their owners. Usually, relating well with a guinea pig requires a place where they feel safe and comfortable and is often the floor. Most guinea pigs prefer the floor compared to being held as they take humans to be predators.
To handle a guinea pig, you will first need to establish a good relationship with him so he can trust you. If you pick him up when you have not developed any bond, he will assume you are a predator and immediately flee and sometimes get injured when trying to run away. The guinea pig does not appreciate being held unless they have formed a great bond and trust with the owner.
How Do I Get My Guinea Pig Used to Being Picked Up?
Once a guinea pig gets used to you, you can go ahead and handle him without worrying that he will get scared. Before then, try playing with him on the floor. Feeding him is also an excellent way to develop a strong relationship with the guinea pig and develop a strong bond. It is not advisable to pick up the guinea pig in a forceful manner as he will run away and be scared. He can also severely injure himself while trying to escape.
Essential tips for handling a guinea pig.
- Always use unscented soap to wash your hands before picking up the guinea pig. If there are other pets in the house, like cats or dogs, their scent can make the guinea pig stay away from you.
- When the guinea pig gets used to your scent, it becomes easier for him to trust and interact freely with you. He will even allow you to hold him in your laps.
- Guinea pigs are known to have poor depth perception and so speaking to them in a loud or harsh tone can scare them. Sneaking up to them also disturbs them.
- Be confident that the guinea pig trusts you enough before picking him up. This avoids the chances of him being stressed and scared.
How Long Does A Guinea Pig Take to Get Used to You?
Getting a guinea pig to settle and get used to you can take between three days to up to three weeks, depending on the guinea pig’s personality. However, some can take even up to one year to get used to an environment. If you get one from a breeder or pet shelter, the guinea pig is likely to settle in faster than those in pet stores.
Professional breeders and shelters give a guinea pig a living environment and good interaction with other guinea pigs. This makes them get used to humans being around them. Being prey animals, guinea pigs are often afraid when taken to a new place and will naturally take time to explore and know their new home. When the guinea pig gets comfortable with being held, can eat treats given by hand, or starts to nibble, it shows that he has begun being comfortable.
Why Does My Guinea Pig Squeak When I Pet Him?
A guinea pig squeaking can indicate various reasons for various causes. It can be anxiety or interest. Guinea pigs can be very expressive and noisy, and their name is often related to a loud vocalization. Some of the reasons as to why a guinea pig squeaks include;
Asking for food– when a guinea pig squeaks a lot, he probably is hungry and wants something to eat. This can either be a main meal or snacks.
Giving an alert– when scared, guinea pigs tend to repeatedly squeak to signal that something is bothering them and also alerts other guinea pigs. Squeaking is a common signal of anxiety in guinea pigs, and excessive squeaking can indicate immense fear. Additionally, squeaking can mean the guinea pig is in pain due to an illness, injury, or a severe wound. If the squeaking is pain-related, it is best to take him for a check-up immediately.
Seeking attention– a constantly squeaking guinea pig is likely to be seeking attention. He could be trying to communicate to the owner that he needs company or he wants to play.
He is trapped– a guinea pig squeaking can sometimes indicate that he is confused or trapped. If you have taken him for a routine vet check-up, he will continuously squeak since he is in a new environment.
Communication– mother guinea pigs use squeaking as a way of communicating with their young ones. They will make brief and profound guttural noises to create and grow a bond with the kids. Similarly, a guinea pig can squeak to track down their lost young ones.
A sign of joy– squeaking can also be an indication of happiness and joy in guinea pigs. If your guinea pig squeaks when you enter a room or come home from work, it means he is happy to see you.
The Bottom Line
There are various reasons why a guinea pig can get scared. While it is hard to pinpoint what it is every time, it is easy to tell a guinea pig conduct and know what to do. In most instances, the guinea pig is bored, scared, or lonely. Regardless, it is essential to note any behavioral changes in a guinea pig as it can mean a lot to the cute little pet.
Ensure you conduct thorough research about the delicate guinea pigs before acquiring one. Once he gets comfortable with the new environment, you can pet, feed, and even pick him up. If he does not enjoy it, it would be best to wait longer before picking him up to avoid scaring him.