How to tame a guinea pig

[@hannasf860]

i've had my guinea pigs for about 1 year, and they aren't tamed and before this video i was so worried that i was doing something wrong, and now i know how to make it easier. thank you! :)

[@chanxiaoqi2011]

wow, really gave me some good tips! I just got my guinea pigs for the first day, and a bit frustrated that they are running away from me, and have no idea of what to do. I think what you have shown is really helpful for me so thanks

[@BeckysAnimals]

Regina Chan So glad it helped :) Take it slow with them and they will come around :)

[@BeckysAnimals]

Thank you :) Snoopy, my rescue boy was definitely the hardest to tame, it's so much more rewarding though knowing that they are beginning to trust me even though they had a pants start in life and have had bad experiences with people :)

[@magnus00125]

Respect for having the patience :)

[@pawsnclawspetfun5586]

I cant wait to use these tips when I get a piggy for myself x

[@BeckysAnimals]

Paws n Claws Pet Fun I hope you find them helpful :)

[@kodynor]

Awwww! It shows the dedication you have for them!! Dora and Millie are a lot more tamer than boots my brown crest piggie, but I hope in time it hard work will pay off :) x

[@christapineda3763]

Thanks to you, my piggy has been a lot more social! He is not as shy and he lets me pet him! When u walk in and talk he pop-corns and runs to the cage squeaking! Thank yoy so much!

[@BeckysAnimals]

Yay!! I'm so glad, you're very welcome :)

[@kodynor]

this is so helpful and detailed!! love it :D because mine are rescued when i first had them they were not tame, its taken a while, but its worth it!! (: great video!! (:

[@earlyautumn]

Good video! It was super cute & hilarious when the guinea pig ran around inside the igloo. :)

[@BeckysAnimals]

earlyautumn Thank you, he's such a strange boy haha XD

[@minniemoo3148]

I know what you mean when saying guinea pigs are hard to tame. I've got my girl Chloe for 2 years now. And still I can only pet her on the shoulder part to the middle of her back. And only recently I can pet her from her nose to the crown of her head. But it's so worth it! She went from hiding in a corner and squealing when I tried to touch her, to walking up to me and accepting me petting her.

[@averycooper8176]

I have 4 guinea pigs and this video really helped me out on understanding guinea pigs more thankyou!

[@BeckysAnimals]

Yay!! I'm so glad :) Enjoy your piggies xx

[@BudgetBunny]

Excellent video! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with semi-tamed piggies. I've had Phinni and Sammi for 1 1/2 years and they still won't let me pick them up. I find the tunnel or cuddle sack method works best for them, lots of lap time and as they're Aby's I've learnt they only like their heads pet. Anything past behind their ears and they give me little kicks with their back feet teehee :)

[@BeckysAnimals]

I hope so :) Gizmo is pretty much there but the others still have a long way to go, I still love them all to bits though :)

[@puffalump76]

I like how you give tips and advice without being rude. I come watch your channel for info because I have seen how rude people are on cavycages and guinea lynx .keep up your good work

[@TorresProductionsLLC]

I have wanted to get a guinea pig ever since i was little. My mom said i can finally get one, but one, just one. Should I even bother if I cant get two? I know they are herd animals and they can get depressed alone, but I can only get one, what should I do?

[@BeckysAnimals]

I believe they should always be kept in pairs. Try to explain to her that they need to live in pairs, if you can still only get one, I would advise waiting until you can get two. I personally think it is mean to keep them alone.

[@Potatocrime24-7]

I put an old shirt of mine in the cage under their little house will that help them get used to my scent

[@FeyCorgi]

thanks for the tipps. I'm getting my two little cuties on monday and am really excited and looking forward to work with them :)

[@BeckysAnimals]

Yay!! Good luck, they are such wonderful animals, have fun :)

[@Whitewolflegend154]

I have two males too and they were two months old and I've had them for about, like two months this will really help my boys

[@evebissett6396]

aww your piggies are so cute. I have 2 guines pigs and these tips really helped. :)

[@BeckysAnimals]

xxxmissydiva xxx I'm so glad it helped with your piggies :) x

[@evebissett6396]

TheSmallPetShop x :)

[@BigBossMan538]

If a guinea pig hasn't been fully tamed how do you coax them into a carrier if you need to leave with them?

[@claudiascharphorn4633]

I started with my piggy the day I brought him home. Now, he is the niceest pig you could ever know.

[@BeckysAnimals]

I would always advise leaving them alone for a while to adjust to their environment and get used to the new smells and sounds. Handling them too quickly can teach them to associate people with fear. I'm glad your piggie is nice though.

[@Venuszenith]

you're so right the key is patience, I feed ours and clean out the cage I don't try to pick them up I let them smell my hands now they are used to them being in their cage my daughter on the other hand has no patience and wants to pick them up chasing them around the cage to which they only have to hear her voice and they run and hide. I just can't make her understand, she's 15 years old which is a bit worrying.

[@BeckysAnimals]

I understand it’s difficult if you have a pet that you want to cuddle and hold but they don’t want you to. I know I found it difficult with my first piggies, I felt they would never learn to trust me but as you have seen already with yours, they do get there. Maybe if she sees how well you are doing with them she will realise. I always explain to people that because they are prey animals, it’s in their nature to be fearful and they take a lot of convincing otherwise. It’s all about associating humans with nice things like food and not being chased around. They are very rewarding once they are tame ❤️

[@JasonRLozano02]

I just give my guinea pig hay and regular guinea pig food (no der water too) and occasionally carrots. What would I usually just be able to give my guinea pig what is just straight off at the store be able to give them?

[@BeckysAnimals]

This video explains their diet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpbWaZJoepeliac It depends what you mean by regular food. The muesli style food is not healthy for them and is linked to dental disease. Carrrots are high in natural sugar and should only be given as an occasional treat. Guinea pigs need veggies daily because their bodies cannot synthesis vitamin C. The also need unlimited hay to keep their digestive systems going and to keep their back teeth from overgrowing :)

[@animaljamkicius]

i love your white and black piggie! he/she is so cute!

[@silkfashion124]

How is the cage made?

[@vile-di1vp]

So can I pick them up on the first week to clean there cage and put them somewhere else?? Please reply!

[@vanessabrito4366]

I got my guinea pigs a couple moths ago and when i first got them i didnt know you had to leave them alone for a couple of days. My guinea pigs are always running away from me and chattering their teeth. I wanted to know how i can get them to like me i have tried everything nothing is working. I feel like. My guinea pigs dont like me at all. I would really like to know how to get them to like me and not run away from me.

[@icup6130]

Where do I place the cage

[@hannahdemon]

I have had 4 guinea pigs and they were all very keen to be picked up. They try to climb my arms and put their feet in my hands (which is soooo cute) but then, the time they get the most veggies is when I'm cuddling them so they associate pick ups with a trip to the kitchen :-3

[@BeckysAnimals]

Awwww how lovely :) It's so sweet when they are begging for attention or food XD

[@cheekychelsea8693]

I have my guinea pigs outside but I bring them in sometimes . I visit them 5-10 times a day . Is this alright? Also I have cage with an open bottom for them to eat grass but I can't bring them inside otherwise they will wee and poo on the carpet

[@juliefuentes7162]

Who was talking behind you?

[@BeckysAnimals]

It's my boyfriend, he likes to try and have a conversation in the middle of filming XD

[@juliefuentes7162]

ooooohhh... ok :)

[@oliviaberrisford2391]

I got 2 male Guinea pigs for Christmas, so this video really helped!!🎄

[@ajamila8889]

How do you pick up your guinea pigs? I don't have them but I'm gonna get them so I'm trying to be prepared

[@crazymusicgrlcheesecake]

Had my guinea pig for 2 1/2 years he now has the balls of steel.

[@jackdennison2329]

i have had my guinea pigs for about five days and my brown guinea pig Otis is always hiding in the little cage house and when ever i leave the room he is always out of the cage house and sometimes i will move a little and he runs away i have never hurt him of done anything to him. what do you think i should do? BTW there 2 males Oliver and Otis

[@paisleamaguire8279]

I need help. My guinea pigs keep giving each other hair cuts and I hear squeaks indicating hurtness why?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Paislea maguire Are they pulling the hair out or chewing on it? Is there clumps of hair in the cage? Do they have enough space, things to do,hay etc?

[@ln9676]

I only have one piggie and my mum wont let me get another.one to keep it company! will it be longer to tame because I only have 1?

[@camilung2024]

I realized that your guinea pigs houses or made from containers but I'm not sure, if it is, how do you make them?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Some of their cages were the Midwest Guinea Habitats and some were made from storage grids cable tied together, the cages I use now are made out of correx, you just score it and fold it into the shape you want, I have an old video on how I built them here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoiyiWyGa76Xl8k :)

[@camilung2024]

TheSmallPetShop I mean like where they hide like on 1:01 where did you buy/ make that orange container?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Oh I see! The orange house was bought from pets at home, the blue one is a living world one I bought online.

[@camilung2024]

TheSmallPetShop thx so much

[@BeckysAnimals]

Awesome :) You must be really excited! Please get two though as they love company :)

[@tianooo]

what do i do when they hear my alarm goes off and my guinea pigs get scared?

[@k4lifeekk280]

What about the other guinea pig died is that okay if they're alone.

[@fxshionbxll5437]

No. Get another guinea pig as fast as you can. The reason for this is because they can get lonley and depressed which may lead to illness or death.

[@AWESOMEGIRLCOOLNESS]

no, the lone pig may become very sad and grieve and possibly stop eating and such. if 1 dies pls get another

[@hildanaatus4707]

NO

[@emmas6666]

i have a question? how old were you when you got your first piggy?

[@lydiaw1359]

This helped so much, I'm getting a Guinea pig for Christmas (2 days) thank u

[@megang3]

Same! It's Christmas today and I got 2 ,7 week old ,guinea pigs!!

[@andybiersack6421]

Is that the Midwest guinea pig cage? I'm thinking about getting it for my babies

[@munky45681]

Are you supposed to clip their nails? If so how old do you start, and what do you use?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Some guinea pigs nails seem to grow quicker than others, you need to be careful when cutting their nails to avoid the quick (the bloodline inside the nail) because it will hurt them and bleed. To avoid this, I cut a little off every 2 weeks rather than cutting more off less frequently. You can use purpose built nail clippers or human toe nail clippers, it depends which you feel most comfortable using. There is some useful info here: www.guinealynx.info/nails.html

[@ruthlea9299]

I have had my guinea pigs for two years now, they live I a hutch outside and in the summer they have a play in their run. in the morning when I go out to feed them they are waiting for food, their sooooo cute!!!!!! One of them isn't scared of you at all, but the other one sometimes runs away from you! Please help!

[@BeckysAnimals]

Some piggies are naturally more outgoing than others, how much human interaction do they get? I've found that it's much easier to tame prey animals when they are housed inside because they are more used to being around people.

[@tiannawilliams7711]

Awwww,it's so cute!I'm supposed to get a guinea pig for my birthday,their so cute,otherwise of the cuteness,thanks for the help I will really need to try some of those since this will be my 1st guinea pig,thanks!😁👍

[@sydenysage9648]

The store I went to only had one female guinea pig can I pick her up and wait till Wednesday to get the other

[@BeckysAnimals]

You could do, you will need to introduce them properly then though: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGSnooFqo5qVbM0

[@dylaneulalia3668]

Can a guina pigs cage be closed sides and front and an open top?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Yes, all my cages are open topped as piggies can't climb or jump well. As long as you don't have any predators like cats in the house which might be a danger to them :)

[@dylaneulalia3668]

Ok thanks(: and can you make a video about good cages for a guinea pig

[@Twilight24682]

One of my Guinea pigs teeth chatters and bites me when I go in her cage am I doing something wrong one of my other Guinea pig is friendly and like being handled

[@dontlookintoit1482]

Well teeth chattering in guinea pigs would mean that they're upset/angry. Now if a piggy is heard doing this to another piggy, it means they are agitated and are warning the other guinea pig to keep away. However, if it's towards you, they're telling you to keep your distance. So she would bite you if you went to pick her up or pet her while she's chattering, or after she's chattered at you What type of cage do you have, if you don't mind me asking? Because you said that it happens when you go into her cage, I was wondering if it was one that you could walk into or not

[@shaniadouglas3727]

If i rescue one can i touch it the first day because the pet shop said they let them hold them

[@BeckysAnimals]

Guinea pigs need to live in pairs as they are herd animals. I would let them settle in before handling them. If you scare them, they are going to be less likely to trust you so will be harder to tame. This video explains why.

[@adambarber486]

What do I do if my gunea pig don't want to go near me when I first got them I tried to get then out what do I do

[@BeckysAnimals]

Don't force them otherwise it will scare them more, just be patient until they learn to trust you. Watch this video and follow the tips.

[@chloeparker5247]

is it OK if I have my piggy's inside from oct-may and outside from jun-oct ?

[@dollsandbears1394]

TheSmallPetShop please answer asap! I'm getting a Midwest cage and idk if that's big enough for 2 guinea pigs.

[@elnenethatguy7439]

I'm I guess it's fine

[@cavyjean5599]

It's good.

[@emmamarchand6178]

hi, your video was very helpful but i have a few questions. I got my two guinea pigs (brothes) when they were old enough to leave their mom, they are almost 2 now. When i got them i didnt know much about the proper care of guinea pigs in the sense of gaining their trust. i am very worried that i wont be able to gain their trust again

[@silverdetox]

i have the same problem! just can't seem to gain their trust!

[@guineagaming523]

Thesmallpetshop how can I get my guinea pig to stop tipping her food bowl up

[@guineagaming523]

+Caitlin Boynton thanks I have looked at some on pets at home and they are really expensive do you have any idea of where I can get some that are cheap

[@maxconway9470]

Can 2 males live together

[@lpsnightcore7929]

Max Conway yea

[@hildanaatus4707]

Yes

[@elicabanks9286]

Is it the same for baby guineapigs

[@PetsLoverSmallZoo]

Great video! Maybe I will get a guinea pig in week and it will be my first guinea pig, so this video is just in time!

[@littlemisspiggyqueen3420]

Thank you for this vid I'm still in the ok zone with my piggies they are still scared when I get them out of the cage but your tips have helped so much

[@BeckysAnimals]

I'm so glad they've helped, keep doing a little everyday but don't rush them :)

[@PlagueDogg]

I can't have my cage inside :( we are renting so we have a hutch out side.... But I try to take them out every second day..

[@nattiehoran3083]

what type of guinea pigs are sliver and pearl?

[@BeckysAnimals]

They are silver agouti rex pigs :)

[@nattiehoran3083]

Thanks! :)

[@BeckysAnimals]

Rex is the breed and silver agouti is their colouring :)

[@sparklinghammie2089]

hello, so I'm planing to get a guinea pig, but I'm scared because I might not be able to get 2 piggies. is it ok if I get only 1?

[@TheVideoGamer0421]

So I am worried I am a noob with this so I thought I could pet my guinea pig the first day I try to he would let me but when I pick him up he goes crazy so I let go so I won't hurt him but did I try to soon he still lets me pet him but will he let me pick him up ever or did I start to quick cuz I petted him the first day

[@BeckysAnimals]

It probably isn't just that, guinea pigs are prey animals so rarely like being picked up. Out of my pigs, only Gizmo and Pearl don't mind, everyone else I will shoo into an upside down house and use that to lift them out, this avoids chasing them round and stressing them out :)

[@Leszkodood]

My over guni pig died and there's only one left I go and see it I feed it and I think it hates me ... Help

[@BeckysAnimals]

He's probably lonely and mourning the loss of his cage mate, have you considered getting him a new friend? Ollie was a totally different piggie when he lost his cage mate Snoopy, he was so scared and hardly ate. When we got him a new friend, he was so much happier and went back to being himself :)

[@dancepartygurll]

I've had my Guinea Pig for almost a year now (I got her when she was 14 weeks old) and she's recently started knocking her bowl over. so I've started feeding her multiple times throughout the day in little amounts because as soon as i fill the bowl, she'll knock it over. do you know why she does this or how to stop it?

[@BeckysAnimals]

I'm not sure why she is doing that but piggies are funny animals :) My boys used to spill their bowl over when they put their feet up on it to eat. I solved this by buying a heavy ceramic bowl which they wouldn't tip, maybe you could try this with her. If she is determined, she will find a way to tip it out but it's worth a go :)

[@dancepartygurll]

Okay, thank you!

[@BeckysAnimals]

No worries x

[@LindaLove2U]

I had this problem too. I spent almost $20 on a hay feeder. He would attack it, and not eat from it at all. He would pick up the dish and throw it. He did this every single day. So one day, I got him a new type of feeder and totally removed the old one. All was great from then on. For some reason in his mind, the old feeder was a threat. Once I removed it, and the threat, he was fine.

[@arleinalundy3200]

Get a heavier bowl or dig a whole in the bedding to rest it in. Or get a flat bowl. Some guinea pigs knock it over so it's easier to find their favorite part of the food. xD it's normal. my guinea pig used to do it all the time. It may also be bored though. So try putting in like, toilet paper rolls (empty) and cut it on the top so they don't get stuck in it. some guinea pigs like that.

[@BeckysAnimals]

I am going to build it out of coroplast/correx. I will make a video of how I make it :)

[@THATRACCOONDUDE]

but I can't afford another guinea pig but can these still work on single guinea pig

[@hildanaatus4707]

Alexander the gray fox Put the guinea pig in front of u,I know u love it alot but if you cant get another one I reccomend giving him/her away to a home with another pig....Its the best for the guinea pig

[@yaritzabazan3660]

what if i bought a boy n they gave me a girl n they had triplets then they had six ans then another one had three n ones preggers i had to build another pen for the guys n what if u have em outside in a 16x13 bird aivary with doves n a bunny n pareots?

[@yaritzabazan3660]

n theyr acraid of me i give them lots of fruits n veggies only one loves me

[@BeckysAnimals]

Yari Bazan They should not live with rabbit or birds. Rabbits can accidentally kill or injure guinea pigs with their powerful back legs, they have different dietary requirements and rabbits can be carriers of Bordetella. It normally doesn't cause a problem in rabbits but if passed on to guinea pigs, can cause respiratory issues and can even be fatal. Always double check the sex of a guinea pig, they are often sold as the wrong gender.

[@yaritzabazan3660]

TheSmallPetShop lol theyve been living with a bunny for 3 years

[@BeckysAnimals]

Why ask then? Rabbits should not be housed with guinea pigs. It is endangering the pigs and is in my opinion, not responsible ownership to keep them together after knowing the facts. Also, separate the male pigs from the females or they will continue to breed.

[@yaritzabazan3660]

TheSmallPetShop i separated the dudes. where i have the girls are in a 16x19x13 aivary/ pig house and the bunny plays with them i separated them for like a week n the bunny got depressed and she didnt ea so i put her back

[@linaadkamil]

Will they get fat if they eat alot of veggies?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Lina Kamil It depends on the vegetables. Veggies too high in natural sugars like carrots aren't good but veggies like romaine lettuce isn't going to make them fat.

[@cavyjean5599]

I'm purchasing a cage suitable for 4 piggies, and someone told me I should get 3 instead of 2 so they can be a herd... Is this true?

[@cavyjean5599]

If it is I can get 3.

[@nikki6382]

Hi :) Do you have anything underneath the fleece blanket? Or is the fleece enough?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Nicole Romero You need an absorbent layer underneath too, fleece wicks the pee down to the layer underneath leaving the top layer dry. I use towels or puppy pads underneath :)

[@BeckysAnimals]

Thank you, he is :) He's called Gizmo

[@PositivelyPositive11]

i just got two baby piggies not even a week ago they are not quite 2 months old. after watching your video I feel so relieved. I do not have to strive to make them eat out of my hand or come to me. Just let them go at their own pace is great. I hope it won't take along time to tame them but if so I have them here to love. My concern is they do not seem to at enough and do not eat lettuce romaine or the kale. They like grass or did now are not eating that. What is best food do you think? will they drink water from a tiny bowl as the water bottle leaks so much? thanks for any help.

[@BeckysAnimals]

Piggies are naturally such skittish animals, they usually take a while to come around. Once they have settled in and adjusted to their new environment just go slowly and try to get them to associate you with nice things like food :) Water bowls are normally not the best idea with piggies as they are very messy and clumsy. The bowl is likely to get spilt over and to get poop and hay in it. A water bowl would be okay for the meantime but investing in a good bottle is a good idea :) The most essential thing for them to be eating is a good quality long strand hay, something like meadow or timothy. They need access to it 24/7. This will make up 80% of their diet. 15% of their diet is made up of veggies, their bodies don't synthesise vitamin C so try to feed veggies high in vit C such as bell peppers. Fresh grass is great too, it's full of nutrients. If they aren't eating much quantity, just feed them veg higher in vitamin C :) As they are young, they can have unlimited alfalfa based guinea pig pellets. When they are about 6 months old, they can be slowly changed onto a timothy hay based pellet and slowly cut down to an 1/8 of a cup of pellets per pig a day :) If you are introducing anything new into their diet, do it slowly over a period of time to avoid upset tummies :) Don't panic at the moment though, they are still very new and are probably still pretty nervous about being in a new environment. Monitor their eating over the next week or so, if you are concerned about their eating in a week, it might be best to ring up your local vet just to discuss how much they are eating and whether it's normal :) I have a diet video here if you want to know more: Adult Guinea Pig Diet; Hay, Pellets, Veggies, Treats. it is manly aimed at adult pigs but some of the same info applies :)

[@PositivelyPositive11]

I really appreciate this really helps me and comforts me thank you probably will be back with more questions later.

[@BeckysAnimals]

No problem, glad I can help :)

[@cassieavril]

thanx for your videos iv been thinking of getting a couple of guinea pigs again and now i think im defo going to :) my first ever pet was a guinea pig when i was 9 he was pure white and had a big quiff on his head like sonic the hedgehog so being 9 i called him sonic lol i dont know why but he loved sitting on my shoulder he used to sit there and i could walk round the house and everything without him getting nervous he was my best friend as a child :)

[@ashlowpancake9418]

How long does a guniea pig live up to?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Ashley Bernados About 6-8 years on average :)

[@ashlowpancake9418]

Thanks!

[@BeckysAnimals]

+Max Conway, yes 2 males can live together. All of the piggies in this video were male... and living in pairs :D

[@simplyneja2285]

umm...... I have one guinea pig and I got her yesterday. how long do I have until she gets depressed and ill plz answer

[@queensellman6947]

+petlover303 animals yeah same I only want one guinea pig not twop

[@opendouglas8927]

+petlover303 my friend has one Guinea pig and has had it for 5 years on its own! as long as you talk to it lots and interact with it lots it will begin to relax a bit more and it will be fine. If you don't really talk to it or cuddle it it could become depressed >

[@simplyneja2285]

Open Douglas UPDATE: she passed away a week ago😭

[@KArbelo413]

How can i put two males together?

[@BeckysAnimals]

I have two videos on introducing my boys here: Introductions Part 2 Starring Snoopy and Ollie and here: Introductions Part 2 Starring Snoopy and Ollie

[@KArbelo413]

Thanks, hopefully it works.👌

[@BeckysAnimals]

I hope so too, boys are tricky but make sure you do loads of research first to give them the best chance of getting along.

[@kalebsmith4914]

um i am getting a female guinea pig any tips please reply and its a female Abyssinian and it is from a friend so would it be as afraid as people and only one

[@BeckysAnimals]

You can still use the same tips to get her used to you. Getting her a friend would help her confidence too as guinea pigs feel safer in numbers.

[@fantino4409]

Hello there! I really need help... I have had my guiena pig for one year now and before i even had two. Sadly the second one died leaving my piggie called "Simpson" alone. I just cant tame him. I have tried alot to make him trust me but he seriously just cant give me trust. This has made that he has been kinda on his own, me just giving him food and water when needed. So it has kinda just been an evil circle. Please! What should do? Ive tried alot of tips but nothing seems to help! Im starting to lose my hope that he will ever be tamed. Thanks for the help!

[@bluecupid5133]

It can take up to year or even more to tame them. But don't worry, you'll get eventually! : )

[@fantino4409]

+Blue Cupid lets hope!:) thanks for the feedback and positivity!

[@123alexisdoll]

Hi, today I just bought a baby boar. I already have an adult boar and thought to get him a friend. Do u think they will get along? And is bum sniffing okay? Thank you!!

[@sparklegirl4133]

hi, bum sniffing is just getting used to the other guinea pig!!!!!!!😉😉😉😉

[@BeckysAnimals]

+123alexisd If you introduce them properly, there is a much better chance they will get along although boars can be tricky. Yes, bum sniffing is totally normal, I have a video on introducing here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGSnooFqo5qVbM0

[@mckenzieperrine969]

Is it bad .. I only have one guinna pig ? And hes too old to get another one

[@BeckysAnimals]

They are never too old, they are herd animals and feel safer and happier in numbers .

[@mckenzieperrine969]

TheSmallPetShop thanks

[@guineaguides7780]

How many days does it take to fully tame a guinea pig whwn you just got her/him

[@BeckysAnimals]

That's what the video is about. There is no set time, some take longer than others, it depends on their personalities. It is not days, it's more likely to be months as they are prey animals so naturally scared.

[@laurenmummert745]

I just adopted my guinea pigs today and I found out that one of them has mites and that he's had it for a while (the place I adopted from said he had eczema) I have to take him and his buddies to the vet right away is it okay to pick them up to take them to the vet?

[@BeckysAnimals]

Lauren Mummert Yes, you are doing the right thing, they both need to be treated because it can become very serious. Most parasites are host specific so you wouldn't catch them x

[@sammygreen6816]

I'm getting a guinea pig in the beginning of July and so are my brother and sister. They are going to live together unless they don't like eachother. I'm so excited! I used to have guinea pigs. I had 2 at first then they had 2 babies on Halloween. One of the babies was an orangish color the other was all black. They died about 2 years ago all in the same month ):

[@ashblake6039]

Do you think that it's ok to get one Guinea pig at a time if you can't afford town at once?

[@monacahemeru9259]

Ash Blake No it's not ok. Guinea pigs are social animals and need company in order to function properly.

[@hildanaatus4707]

No

[@buttercupandoreo_634]

Oreo already is social so does she still need tamed then

[@BeckysAnimals]

+Buttercup and Oreo _ I see it as an ongoing process, I still do all these tips to keep a bond with them and to make sure they remain comfortable around me :)

[@buttercupandoreo_634]

Who are you?????

[@saayyylorr9354]

I've recently got a Guinea pig and I know everything about them besides that you have to have two because I always planned on only having one . Sadly I love with my parents and they already think I have enough animals I will try my best to get another any tips though?

[@isissanchez1637]

I can't buy 2 Guinea pigs it took almost a year to get my mom to buy me one is it okay that I can only buy one ?

[@Greggytherat]

Sorry for the late reply but yes it will be ok. I mean its recommended but if you give them lots of attention and playtime it will be fine. I have two but I have one of each sex(long story) and they're separated.

[@stellabats1939]

yes just you have to play with it in ur free time

[@BeckysAnimals]

None of my boys will let me pick them up either, Ollie only occasionally lets me stroke him XD Gizmo does that too if I stroke his back, they are silly :) They will all run up to me if I put my hand in their cage (most of the time) but then if I go to stroke them they back off. I have found they a lot harder to tame than rabbits but I love them all to bits and I will keep trying :)

[@xxrobloxproxx1239]

I just got a guinea pig for Christmas does it matter if I feed it vegetables or can I just feed it the pellets

[@BeckysAnimals]

Vegetables are very important in their diet, check out my Guinea pig diet video on my channel x

[@xxrobloxproxx1239]

+TheSmallPetShop what happends if I dont give them any? because my mom said they have the pellets that's what they hat

[@xxrobloxproxx1239]

Have*

[@BeckysAnimals]

+xXrobloxproXx 123 they need veggies so they get all the vitamins and minerals they need, their bodies don't make vitamin C so they need veggies daily. Without adequate vitamin C they can get scurvy. It's a part of owning Guinea pigs.

[@xxrobloxproxx1239]

+TheSmallPetShop ok thanks! sorry if i'm bothering you I just got a guinea pig. ☺

[@edithtorres9972]

i just got a Guinea Pig:/ and im new to all this. his very scared of me and there's times he goes crazy like he jumps idk if its normal. and also iv seen in many videos that i should leave him alone. but i cant help it to just cary him. what do i do? and should i get him another friend if i do should it be. girl or a boy? i have a boy noe and his little baby right now. iv only had him for about 4 days i need help!!!!! i want him to trust me.

[@rashadvq]

I had mine for about 3 weeks it's still scared of me kinda it eats from my hand a lot just be patient

[@rashadvq]

and mine leaps away all the time

[@julesmianadesannie]

my mom only bought me 1 because all of the others would bite and we are planning to get another though

[@relevantbunny2029]

Also she is in a petstore cage but it's big enough for two. It has a loft . It takes up my dresser. Her name is donut and she just hides in a corner. And doesn't eat food from me.

[@aaronjones7260]

do guinea pigs have to be in pairs or more? I understand that they are herd animals and can get lonely, but surely if you have regular interaction with it they will be okay? I only ask cos im kinda worried, my mum has finally let me have a piggy after years of wanting one, but she will only let me have one for the time being!

[@BeckysAnimals]

Yes they do, do some research to show her how important companionship is for guinea pigs. Lone pigs are more likely to get depressed which can make them more prone to illness. I think getting one is mean, if you cannot get two then maybe look into a different animal as a pet or wait until you can get two. They are prey animals so to begin with, they will be really scared of you. No matter how much time you spend with them, you do not speak their language. For example, if you were alone all day and all night but a giraffe came and played with you once a day, would you feel better? They need company of their own kind, the same as we do. Someone for them to talk to, play with and cuddle up with. Guinea pigs are very sociable, vocal animals, they need a friend.

[@arleinalundy3200]

I've been raising guinea pigs since I was 7 and never got mine a cage mate and all of them lived 5 years+. (which is about the right age) I'm not saying it's BETTER , but more times then not as long as you give them lots of care they should be fine. AGAIN it's always better to get them a cage mate, but as I said all my guinea pigs have been fine.

[@BeckysAnimals]

They can live long and happy lives alone and I know some people choose to house them alone but I personally think they should be housed in pairs or groups because they are naturally herd animals, they are so sociable and they feel safer in numbers. Seeing my boys chatting away to one another, cuddling up together and playing follow the leader, I just couldn't house one alone if I could help it. It's only my opinion but I think they are much happier with company of their own kind. After adopting a lone boar and then introducing him to a friend, I saw him change totally, he became so much more active and playful.

[@reaganlewis4274]

Everybody has said to hand feed your Guinea pigs to tame them. I have had my two for 3 days now, I have left them alone except for filling their food and scooping poop. Still whenever I am close to the cage they dart into a hiding spot and Won't come anywhere near my hand with a veggie.. What do?

[@reaganlewis4274]

***** They are totally fine now lol. I can hand feed them, they squeak when I come to their cage, and I can pet their little cheeks :) The only problem is that I can't really pet them any other way or else they run away. What do?

[@rashadvq]

+Reagan Lewis how'd you tame them? I'm having trouble

[@reaganlewis4274]

So it's been a long time since I've had my guinea pigs... how long have u had yours? It has really helped me being patient with them. Just sit at their cage holding food in your hand and saying a certain word. For example, when I feed my guinea pigs I say "treat treat" and they have started squeaking like crazy. For the first 2 weeks it would take a long time for them to come to u, but just wait. They will end up learning that u are there to help them. If they absolutely won't do anything, put the food in their cage and move away from the cage, but stay in the same room. This is only if worse comes to worse. Do u have 2 guinea pigs or 1? 1 might be harder cuz it's lonely. ALSO! IMPORTANT! Buy a cage u can put outside and out your guinea pigs in. Put a basket in their cage, try your hardest to pick them up, and bring them outside. ( on the grass) they love it! Do this EVRRYDAY. It WILL help. Afterwards they will even let u pet them after going outside like 7 times. Be patient and watch them carefully when they are outside, so they don't get eaten by anything

[@rashadvq]

Reagan Lewis Good advice! Btw I have 1 guinea pig and I'm getting a second one (female) that will be with my current one (male)

[@reaganlewis4274]

Are u ready for guinea pig babies? Introduce them slowly. A lot of the time they get violent. Keep them away for two weeks having them see each other through bars and stuff like that, but after two weeks introduce them. U WILL be seeing guinea pig babies. Just saying. U really have to be prepared for that, especially for the birth. And u might see them mating a lot. My guinea pigs are both female and they try to mate 😂

[@BeckysAnimals]

Thank you, I think so too :)

[@misskelly9184]

should i get 2 males or 2 females? i dont want them to breed but i also dont want them to be lonely.

[@BeckysAnimals]

As long as you don't get a male and a female they won't mate. You could get a same sex pair. Boars and Sows tend to have different traits so maybe spend time with both and see whether boys or girls suit you better. I have both boys and girls (I do not breed) and no one is better than the other, they are just different. Go to a local rescue and see who you fall in love with :) They do need company of their own kind though :)

[@LindaLove2U]

Hi Kelly. If you ask me, I would say get 2 females. I have 2 males and its not always so good. They argue over everything. I had to get 2 houses because one of my males didnt want to share a room. One likes this, one hates that. BUT, my son has 2 FEMALES that share everything. They agree on everything. They sleep together, eat together, and even play together. My MALES dont do that. Isnt that just like a man? LOL. Go for 2, absolutely, but make it 2 FEMALES if you want harmony at home.

[@BeckysAnimals]

All guinea pigs have different personalities though, not all males are territorial and I would always recommend having more than one house, the general rule is one for each pig plus one. My girls are more territorial with each other than one of my pairs of boys, it depends on their personalities.

[@misskelly9184]

TheSmallPetShop thanks for the input you all. i should of know two males may fight some. i think i will try two females.

[@BeckysAnimals]

Males and females can both fight, it depends on their personality. Don't let that put you off as many people believe girls are better so there are many more boys than girls in rescues needing homes. I have 4 boys and they are all absolute sweethearts, maybe go to a rescue with an open mind and see who you fall for :)

[@ronkeomotayo6978]

How did you do your intro its really good :')

[@Whitewolflegend154]

Thx! This really helped me now I understand, I was basically doing everything wrong! Lol