Guinea Pig Troubles...
 

Has anyone else had/have a guinea pig? We recently acquired one from a friend who has had some bad luck with keeping the males and females apart(and therefore, has had about 15 babies in the last year). Anyway, we just got one and she's very playful while in her cage, but seems to *HATE* being on the floor. Everyone we've talked to says that they need exercise time out of their cages, but all she does is sit in the corner of the living room and shake. Suggestions?

Maybe it's the kind of floor you're putting her on? Carpet? Tile?

How about outside - set up a fenced-in area, but larger than her cage.

What about one of those exercise balls where you put the guinea pig inside and he runs around in it?

She sounds terrified. I think she just needs more socialization. Think of it from her point of view. She's in a small cage where she can feel secure. Remember, guinea pigs are prey animals. When you take her out, you put her on the floor and all of a sudden, she's in an unfamiliar place with giant people. Do you get down on her level with her?

Do you take her out and put her on your lap and feed her? Pet her and speak softly to her.

Here's what I would do. I would first keep her in her cage and get her used to your voice. Feed her her favorite foods (carrots? Spinach?)

Once she associates your hand with good things, try to gently pet her. Do this for a few weeks. Let her know your hand is not threatening and you are not threatening.

Then, see if she'll allow you to pick her up without trembling. Next step is putting her in your lap and feeding her and petting her.

I wouldn't put her in an exercise ball. She'll be even more terrified.

This is all going to take a long time, but will be worth it. Good luck!

Here's a couple of forums which you might find helpful
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Guinea_Pigs_Society/
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/GabbingAboutPiggies/

When she's outside of her cage, I would make sure it's warm enough for her, because guinea pigs are comfortable in the temperature range from 65-75 degrees. They also prefer a low relative humidity. Just make sure it's not drafty or really cold when she's outside of her cage. This could be why she's shaking. Also, you might want to consider getting another one, because guinea pigs are social animals, so a friend for her would help.:)

Wasn't that why she got the guinea pig in the first place???
:rolleyes:

Our piggy loves to sit in your lap and will make all kinds of noises and try to snuggle her head closer if you're not paying her the attention she so rightfully deserves. But once we put her on the floor, it's a whole different story. We talked to the people we got her from and they highly recommend not putting her in a ball - apparently it can do permanent damage to their feet and spines. I guess we'll keep trying on the floor time thing and see if she gets more comfortable...

This from the people that are having trouble figuring out that female pig + male pig = baby pigs???

Those balls are fine. Just make sure you get one large enough. It only hurts their spine if they're too cramped.

Exactly. A prey animal will instinctively like small, secure areas. A deer won't just dart into an open plain full of huge creatures. That's how a piggy thinks--out on that open plain anything can happen and, without some structure to go hide in, the corner is the best she can do. Try getting some material (wiring or something--I don't recommend things like books that might fall on her) that'll fence off a little part of the floor. As time goes on, you could try widening it as she gets more comfortable. Or, does she have a 'house" in her cage? You could take it out and put it on the floor so that if she starts to get uncomfortable in the open, she can go hide and come out again when she's comfortable. It may take weeks for this (or any) method to work, but as she learns there's no predators in your house, she'll come around.

I'm sorry, Alpha, but the balls are not fine for guinea pigs. Please see this link
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guinea-Pi...se-balls-6.htm

ChristianGirl, I think that's good advice.

Thanks. :) I read the link and that sounds plausible. I don't know much about piggy bone structure and stuff, but the descrip was dead on. My Zoe refused to use her ball. When I put her in it, she'd just sit there like stone until I finally just took her out. I thought it was just her, but maybe it was just a waste of money?

A guinea pig needs to have at least 2 square feet of cage space for ample exercise. They are not like a dog that needs to run and run for exercise. Open spaces will make a "cavy" very nervous...if you want to give them a playyard for more exercise, use a small sized children's wadding pool. Do not put it outside :) for obvious reasons!

We also would put our cavy on a harness and leash and take her for a walk in the grass. She was a silkie and looked like a mop on a thread...it is funny to see the pictures.

Cavies can handle cooler temps, but they succumb to drafts quickly and will die just as quickly.

You can also spay and neuter cavies to avoid the over productions, as they are sexually mature at 6 weeks of age.

(LONG TIME cavy lover!)

She said she got "one". I didn't see anywhere in her post that she had more than one.:rolleyes:

To clarify: I have only one guinea pig. We didn't realize that they were group animals until after we got her. We are looking into get another one, so she'll have a playmate, but we'll see. Her cage is made of grid blocks - it's 2 blocks x 3 blocks (about 28" x 42") and she does have a little bit of room to run inside of it. Does your guinea poop inside of their tunnels? Our's has a PVC pipe style tunnel which she likes to sleep in and she goes to the bathroom in there... even though we clean it daily, it still seems gross. Normal?