How to tame a guinea pig: tips

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Guinea pig is a very sociable, pleasant and funny animal. However, she has a hard time getting used to people, so at first you will have a hard time. Her domestication can take quite a long time. It will take some effort from you to make her feel like a member of your family.

How to tame a guinea pig?

These animals are very shy and very cautious towards new people, especially females. Males tend to be a little more daring and make contact with humans faster.

Where to put a cage for a new pet?

In the process of taming a guinea pig, where her future home will be is of great importance. You should choose a location where the animal can remain in optical contact with you for most of the day. Thanks to this, the pig will gradually get used to your presence, as well as to your family members. The animal must necessarily feel safe, so the place in which the cage will stand mustfully ensure this condition - this contributes to the faster domestication of the pet.

How to understand that the animal is not shy?

Guinea pigs are herd animals, so a pet huddled in a corner of a common cage and not in contact with others is probably sick or very fearful. It is better to choose a cheerful pig that plays with relatives. Please note that she is not limping, has a clean coat and that her teeth are missing too long.

On the importance of animal character

It must be remembered that it is necessary to be guided by the appearance of the animal and its character. This is of great importance, because if you buy a pig that is too shy, then the taming will be more difficult and it will last much longer. Age also matters: it is better to get a young specimen, as older animals may already have a very well-established fear and reluctance to accept people due to a long stay in a store or with a breeder.

So, you bought a new pet in the store and now you are thinking about how to tame a guinea pig as quickly as possible?

First days in a new house

When you return home with your newly acquired pet, the cage should already be prepared. Now put your pet in it and let him get used to the environment. Leave him there for a few hours to settle into his new cage.

The first rule of taming

Initially, the guinea pig will be incredulous and nervous -every sharp gesture, a very loud sound will frighten her greatly. Therefore, when in a room in which an animal lives, you must be calm and maintain an average noise level.

How to tame a guinea pig?

In the first days in a new home, do not allow stressful situations for the animal and do not take it out of the cage unnecessarily. During the first three days, let the rodent acclimate. To tame a guinea pig to human hands, you need to be patient. This process can even take several months - it all depends on the nature of the particular animal. Some are more trusting and open, others less so. It will be much easier for you to tame an inquisitive pig than one that prefers to spend time in a corner of its cage or house.

Domestication of a new pet step by step

The first procedure on your part should be to sit silently near the animal's home and observe it. Remember that quick and jerky movements will cause the guinea pig to be frightened and run away to his house, in which he feels safer. Noises are also not conducive to domestication, so it is better to turn off the TV or computer. Let nothing around disturb you or her. Sitting next to you, you can start talking with the animal in a calm voice, because this is the first step in learning how to tame a guinea pig to the owner. So she will get used to you faster and after a while she will know that nothing threatens her from your side. If the animal is no longer hiding in the house whensee you, it's time to move on.

Next step

The next step in domestication is setting the animal up to the fact that when he meets you, he can always hope for something delicious. Therefore, for the first time, take as many treats as possible (fresh dandelions, grass, fruits, chicory or cucumber). But how to tame a guinea pig to the hands of the owner? For now she is afraid to approach.

Don't try to put food in her mouth. Pigs have a very good sense of smell and vision and will perfectly understand what is in your hand. However, before they decide to grab that tidbit from your hand, they may hesitate for a long time (because of surprise). Approach them with treats as often as possible, then they will not be able to resist for a long time. At the same time, you can start touching them - scratching behind the ear, stroking the back and under the chin (at this time, the animals can make funny faces).

How to get on your knees?

When your pet trusts you and doesn't run away from you during daily feeding, you can move forward.

How to tame a guinea pig? First slowly take her to your knees (for a short while). Of course, at first the animal will be afraid - this can be understood by the peculiar “freezing” of the pig: when it does not perform any movements, and the pupils dilate so that the whites of the eyes are visible.

When the guinea pig feels your warmth and gentle strokes, it will gradually relax. Her body will become soft, she will push her hind leg intoside and rest her head on your shoulder or knee. Keep in mind that these rodents, as typically terrestrial creatures, do not feel comfortable at altitude. So it's better to sit on the floor and put the pig in your lap instead of carrying the pet (at least in the beginning). Now you can be sure that you know the basics of how to tame a guinea pig.

Continuation of domestication

The taming of these critters should never stop or be interrupted. You cannot tie a pet to you, and then leave him, armed with the thought “I will feed, clean, and he will be able to play by himself in the cage.” Guinea pigs are social animals, and not having individuals of their own species next to them, they must definitely have contact with the owner. Therefore, you should regularly play with the pig and talk to it, as you did at the beginning of taming. In addition, you must carefully monitor the he alth of your pet and choose the right diet in order to avoid any diseases.

Now you know how to tame a guinea pig. You will never regret choosing such a pet. Despite the fact that these rodents will have to clean up and clean the cage quite often, feed them every day, change the water and play with them - this is a hundred times compensated by their cheerful disposition, gentle looks and affectionate attitude.