If you’re bringing home a new guinea pig, you might be wondering how long you should wait before holding him or her. The answer depends on your guinea pig’s personality and level of comfort. Some guinea pigs are content being held immediately, while others may need time to adjust to their new home.
You shouldn’t wait too long to hold your new guinea pig. However, you should let them get used to their new surroundings first.
Most experts recommend waiting at least a week before holding a new guinea pig. This gives him time to acclimate to his new surroundings and get used to you.
As soon as he’s comfortable in his new home, he’ll be more likely to enjoy being held. When you do finally hold your guinea pig, take things slowly at first. Gently cup him in your hands and let him explore his way up onto your lap. Stay still and quiet, and offer him treats if he seems scared. With a little patience, you’ll be able to bond with your new furry friend.
What You'll Learn
What Are The Risks Of Holding Your New Guinea Pig Too Soon?
May Become Frightened
When you bring home a new guinea pig, it won’t be acclimated to its new environment and may be easily frightened.
May Hurt You
Another risk is that the guinea pig may not have had a chance to bond with you yet and may be more likely to bite or scratch if it feels threatened.
Delayed Bonding
If you try to hold your guinea pig too quickly, the bonding process may take longer as the guinea pig may become nervous or scared and associate you with negative feelings.
It’s important to give your new guinea pig time to adjust to its new home and get to know you before picking it up.
How Do I Know If My Guinea Pig Wants To Be Held?
The best way to tell if a guinea pig is ready to be held is by paying attention to their body language. If they seem relaxed and their ears are perked up, that means they’re likely enjoying the attention. But if their body is tense and their ears are flat against their head, it’s a sign that they’re not enjoying being held and would like to be let go.
How Often Should You Hold Your New Guinea Pig?
Once your guinea pig is ready to be held, you should hold them every day for at least 15 minutes. This will help your guinea pig get used to you and feel comfortable in your presence. It is also a good opportunity for you to bond with your new guinea pig.
What Are The Signs That a Guinea Pig Does Not Want to Be Held?
If your guinea pig is squirming, trying to jump out of your arms, or making noises, these are all signs that he or she is not enjoying being held.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to put your guinea pig down so they can move around and explore.
If you just got your guinea pig, or if they have never been picked up before, it’s likely that your guinea pig will be scared and uncomfortable when being held.
Before picking up your guinea pig, let them sniff your hand and get used to being petted before slowly introducing them to handling.
If you’re ever unsure about whether or not your guinea pig wants to be held, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and put him or her down.
Guinea pigs are social animals and they do enjoy being around people, but they also need their space. So if you’re ever in doubt, just let your guinea pig go. It will let you know when they’re ready to be held again.
The Do’s And Don’ts Of Holding A New Guinea Pig
Do:
- Wash your hands before and after handling your guinea pig
- Support their back and bottom when you pick them up
- Be gentle when handling them
- Make sure they have a comfortable place to rest
Don’t:
- Pick them up by their fur or tail
- Handle them too much
- Hold them upside down
How To Tell If Your New Guinea Pig Is Comfortable Being Held By You
Will They Come to You?
The first thing you should do is see whether your guinea pig comes close to you or if it is scared of you.
If your guinea pig is coming close to you, that’s a good sign that it trusts you and feels comfortable around you.
Do They Nibble Your Fingers?
Another good sign is if your guinea pig starts licking you or nibbling on your fingers. This means that it likes the way you smell and wants to be close to you.
Do They Stay Calm?
A good sign that your guinea pig is comfortable with being held is if it stays calm and relaxed when you pick it up. If it’s not too jumpy or trying to escape your grasp, then it’s probably comfortable with you.
Don’t Rush It
You should wait at least two weeks before holding your new guinea pig. This gives them time to get acclimated to their new home and to you. After two weeks, start slowly by letting them get used to your scent. You can then try picking them up for a few minutes at a time. If they seem comfortable, you can start holding them for longer periods of time.
