Page 10 - Caring for guinea pigs indoors
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Bonding and handling
The process of bonding with your guinea pig is also called socialising. Guinea
pigs can be quite shy and scared at first. It can take a while to get to know
your guinea pig. When you first get guinea pigs, you should leave them alone
in their new cage for two or three days.
Guinea pigs are prey animals in the wild and are frightened easily. Get to know
your guinea pig in a calm environment. Try not to make any sudden
movements. Start by offering your guinea pigs vegetables and treats from the
foods listed in the diet section to encourage them to get used to being near to
you.
When they’re comfortable being close to you, try petting them gently on the
head and back. You can stroke them behind their ears if they like it. Most
guinea pigs don’t like having their bottoms touched.
After a while, you can try and pick up your guinea pig. Hold on to your guinea
pig with two hands. One hand goes across the guinea pig’s shoulders, and one
hand supports its bottom. Hold the guinea pig up to your chest to make it feel
secure. Sit down and put your guinea pig on your lap.
Guinea pigs need lots of exercise. When you’ve become bonded to your
guinea pig, allow them to run around in a closed-off room. Remember to hold
on to your guinea pig securely when you’re putting it back into its cage.
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