playing with my piggie and making him feel safe

Question
why won't my guinea pig roll in his ball and how do I make him feel comfortable around me.

Answer
Abby,

Your Guinea Pig won't roll in his ball as it is to small for him. Guinea Pigs also don't like to roll around in balls as it makes them feel crowed and unsafe, one reason is that the ball is to small for Guinea Pigs even the ones that say they are for Guinea Pigs, and for the unsafe feeling is that they see color and they don't care to see through colored plastic as it frightens them.

To get him to feel more comfortable around you is pretty easy to do. Set up a place on the floor that is penned off so he can't get under couches or chew on wire. Place him in there with some toys, like tunnels, small stuffed animals, balls, some wooden bird toys, some Guinea Pig toys, and such. Sit down there with him and play with him by rolling a ball lightly towards him, pet him as he runs about and chase him about. That type of thing, also when around his cage talk to him and pet him.

Take him out twice a day and hold him, while sitting with him talk to him and pet him. That way he'll get to know your voice, your touch and your scent. The three ways Guinea Pig communicate. Keep doing that and he'll be use to you in no time flat.

Take Care now,
        Jules