If you happen to’ve seen a fluffy little guinea pig, you’ve probably needed to cuddle them and stroke their delicate fur. In any case, they’re so stinkin’ lovely!
However, do guinea pigs truly prefer to be cuddled and held? What about petted?
I don’t advocate adopting a guinea pig to be a cuddly pet, as a result of a lot of them won’t ever take pleasure in cuddling or being held. Nonetheless, some guinea pigs are cuddly and can loosen up in individuals’s laps. Most guinea pigs can even be taught to just accept pets when you’ve bonded with them.
On this article, we’ll talk about whether or not guinea pigs prefer to cuddle and be held, how one can maintain your guinea pig, and extra.
Do Guinea Pigs Prefer to Cuddle?
Some guinea pigs do prefer to cuddle, whereas others received’t ever benefit from the expertise. It depends upon their historical past, socialization, and character.
Two guinea pigs might be raised the identical and end up utterly completely different, so don’t blame your self or your care in case your guinea pig is skittish or dislikes being held. Additionally don’t attempt to pressure them to be somebody they’re not.
It may be arduous to have a guinea pig who hates cuddling whenever you see all of the cuties on-line melted into individuals’s laps. Please respect your piggy’s boundaries anyway! Keep in mind that they rely upon us for every little thing, and are utterly helpless after we place them in a state of affairs that scares them.
Virtually no guinea pigs prefer to be picked up, even those that love being held. Whereas this might sound contradictory, you need to do not forget that they’re prey animals.
The one cause a wild guinea pig can be scooped into the air is that if they have been caught by a hen of prey. You’ll be able to perceive why that will be scary!
Although our guinea pigs aren’t wild, they nonetheless have deeply-ingrained instincts handed down from their wild ancestors.
How do Guinea Pigs Prefer to be Held?
When carrying a guinea pig, it’s necessary to maintain them securely and to assist their total physique. When you’re sitting down, you possibly can allow them to do a little bit of exploring–simply be certain that they’ll’t leap or fall out of your lap.
Throughout this time, your guinea pig will present you the way they prefer to be held. Each piggy is completely different! Some will climb onto your shoulder and into your hair, some will loosen up in your lap, and a few will attempt to disguise in your shirt or up your sleeves.
I had a guinea pig who beloved making an attempt to eat my hair and who’d sit comfortably with me for so long as I stored him out of his cage. He had a giant character!
One other of my piggies was a homebody who beloved his cage. When he was being held, all he needed to do was disguise in my sweatshirt.
Don’t attempt to pressure your guinea pig into unnatural positions, as this may damage them. As an illustration, holding them on their backs like infants can cause spinal damage.
Your guinea pig’s entire weight ought to at all times be supported, and their ft needs to be dealing with the ground whilst you maintain them.
Do Guinea Pigs Prefer to be Petted?
Sure! Many guinea pigs prefer to be petted. In fact, it depends upon their character and the way a lot they belief people.
Once you first convey your guinea pigs residence, they’re unlikely to just accept pets. However over time, many piggies will allow you to pet them within the cage as long as you’re calm and mild.
In fact, some piggies take pleasure in pets whereas cuddling as effectively!
One factor I’ve seen is that it’s simpler to pet a piggy if their cage is raised off the bottom. Not solely is it simpler to achieve them as you move by, however in addition they appear much less afraid. I feel it’s as a result of we appear smaller to them after they don’t need to search for at us on the ground, and it’s simpler to method them from the aspect as a substitute of from above.
The way to Greatest Choose Up Your Guinea Pig
Use a Cuddle Cup or Disguise
A cuddle cup is made particularly for selecting up and cuddling your piggy. These merchandise are like little pockets that guinea pigs can climb inside and really feel secure.
If you happen to don’t have one, you too can use a disguise. Some individuals use tunnels, fleece hides with bottoms, and even upside-down hidey homes. I used to hold my piggies in these and it labored very effectively!
For my part, utilizing an merchandise like that is one of the simplest ways to choose up a guinea pig. Many piggies will be taught to climb right into a cuddle cup or disguise to be picked up after they start to affiliate it with good issues like ground time, cuddles, or meals. It’s a lot much less traumatic for them than being forcibly picked up.
All the time be certain that your palms or the merchandise is supporting your guinea pig’s weight evenly. Block the doorway along with your palms to stop them from leaping as effectively.
Method From the Facet
The reason is picked up is so scary for guinea pigs is as a result of it mimics the best way they’d be lifted by a hen of prey. They instinctively concern this sensation, as within the wild it could imply a possible demise.
Because of this you must at all times method your guinea pig from the aspect, not the highest. Convey your palms beneath your guinea pig and elevate them from beneath.
Scooping them up from above can really feel pure to us as a result of we’re a lot taller, however this easy shift could make a giant distinction on your piggies.
Help their Weight Evenly
Guinea pigs have fragile spines, so it’s necessary to assist their total physique when selecting them up. By no means choose them up beneath the entrance legs, by the scruff, or in different ways in which depart a part of their physique hanging.
As a substitute, scoop one hand beneath their chest and place your fingers between their entrance legs. Then, use your second hand to assist their rear. Convey the guinea pig near your chest and maintain them securely.
Maintain One Paw Between Your Fingers
When holding your guinea pig, protecting one in every of their legs between your pointer and center fingers can provide you extra management.
It retains them from squirming and scratching, which might damage you however can also be harmful to them. You by no means need your piggy to have the ability to fall out of your grasp.
I hope the following pointers have helped you be taught whether or not guinea pigs prefer to be held, and how one can choose up and cuddle your piggy. Bear in mind to not pressure interactions in case your guinea pig doesn’t prefer it!
The easiest way to develop a bond along with your distinctive piggy is to observe their lead and discover issues that they take pleasure in. This could be hand-feeding, petting within the cage, or having ground time with you close by, fairly than cuddling.
