Guinea pigs are fun animals and, over time, they get tamed. However, they do not like being handled too much or too often, especially when they have just arrived in the house. When you start taking them, you have to learn how to hold them correctly, so that they feel happy and safe.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Catch the Pig
Step 1. Leave your guinea pig completely alone for a day or two
Cover the cage with a light blanket that lets in light. Your guinea pig will feel safer. After the two days, get to know your pet.
Step 2. Let the little pig get used to your presence
Do not grab it and do not take it out of the cage immediately after removing the blanket. Wait a few days, because you get to know yourself. Put your hand in the cage and let it smell you. Caress him gently, so that he learns to trust you.
Step 3. Have a towel handy to clean her needs
If you worry about your clothes, put a towel underneath when you hold it in your hand. The guinea pig may not necessarily go to the toilet at that moment, but you never know.
Step 4. Stay calm
If you are nervous, the little pig will fidget. Make sure you are calm and focused before grabbing it.
- As you approach the cage, do it slowly and calmly. Don't rush to the cage and don't open it suddenly. Instead, move slowly and let the guinea pig smell you through the cage, then gently open the door.
- Before approaching the cage, stop for a moment and take a deep breath to stay calm.
- The environment must also be peaceful. Minimize loud noises and sudden movements when the pig is out of the cage. You don't want to scare him! For example, turn off the television and radio. Also turn off your cell phone to prevent it from ringing while the pig is out.
Step 5. Use the cage to your advantage
To grab your guinea pig, you can try to gently "trap" it in the cage. An easy way to get it is to trap it in one of the bars of the cage, if any, and then take it out. To encourage the guinea pig to go to the bar, slowly approach it with your hand, being careful to block the other side.
- If the cage does not have bars, try guiding the guinea pig to its playhouse and then, lifting one side, let it out and take it.
- If the animal seems annoyed or tries to bite you, wait one more day before trying to catch it.
Step 6. Put your hand under the pig
Using only one hand, slide it under his belly, then gently begin to lift him.
Put your finger around the front of one of the guinea pig's legs. This grip will help you hold it in your hand
Step 7. Grab it with two hands
Your guinea pig will feel safer if you use both hands to pick it up. If you grabbed it with one hand, it would feel like falling. With the other hand, hold it from the back.
Step 8. Be strong but gentle
Make sure you have a secure grip, otherwise it may slip, but don't squeeze it too tightly, so as not to hurt it.
Although you can move around while holding the pig, it is best if you remain seated. By doing so, you will not confuse it with your movements and it is more unlikely that it will fall on you
Part 2 of 3: Holding the Guinea Pig
Step 1. Place it on your chest
Place the towel on your chest and hold it on your chest with your feet facing your body.
Step 2. Give him a food reward
You can use blueberries, carrots or lettuce, for example. If you give him a small food gift while you are holding him, he will learn to associate your pampering with something good.
Step 3. Talk to him
As you hold it in your hand and caress it, speak to it in a soothing voice. It doesn't really matter what you say, what matters is that you have a reassuring voice.
Step 4. Take him to a tightly closed room and let him explore
For example, you can use the bathroom. Be careful that it doesn't stick where it shouldn't (such as in cleaning products), and carefully cover all potential hazards, such as floor vents. Close the door. Put it on the floor and let it run around the room. He'll love exploring, but he won't neglect to make friends with you. If you wish, sit on the floor with him.
Step 5. Don't put him down right away if he squirms
If you put him down every time he fusses, he realizes that all he has to do is wriggle to get back into his cage. If you keep holding him, however, he will learn to remain calm.
Step 6. When you put him back in the cage, hold him firmly
As soon as it sees the cage, the piglet may try to jump, so hold it firmly with both hands when you put it back in its playhouse.
- If you see that it tends to jump, turn it upside down and let it enter the cage from its back.
- Before fully releasing it, wait for it to finish squirming. This way he understands that he doesn't have to fidget when it's in your hands.
Step 7. Continue regularly
Get him out of the cage every day, so that he gradually gets used to your attentions over time, learning to enjoy the moments spent with you and your cuddles.
Part 3 of 3: Controlling the Children Handling the Guinea Pig
Step 1. If you have children, be careful when dealing with the guinea pig
Children can harm him even without wanting to. If the child is under the age of four, do not let him take it. Keep it for him and let him caress it.
In other words, always make sure that the guinea pig is picked up and held in the hand in complete safety. While holding it on your chest, let your baby cuddle and caress it. If you allow your baby to hold it, tell him how to do it and make sure he doesn't hold it too tight or too loose
Step 2. Don't let the children carry it around
Older children are tempted to pick it up and carry it around the house. However, if they are not careful, the piglet could jump out of their hands and injure them.
Step 3. Ask your child to sit down
The safest way for a baby to hold a guinea pig is in a sitting position. That way the baby can't carry it around, and if it slips out of his hands, it won't be too far off the ground.
For best results, first seat your baby and then place the guinea pig in his hands for him to hold
Step 4. Just have one person hold the guinea pig at a time
In other words, when you take it out of the cage, only have one person hold it, especially if it is a child. These pets are extremely sensitive to people's touch, so limiting their exposure to human hands makes them happier.
If you want to hold more than one child, wait until the next day. Remember: one child at a time
Step 5. Lock the cage
Children can be tempted to let the animal out when you are not there, possibly injuring it unintentionally. Close the cage tightly to prevent children from opening it when you are not around.
