Handling

Question
My Guinea pig runs away when i try to pick her up, she will eat  food from my hand but is frightened and runs away when i make a big movement. What should i do?

Answer
Alex,

This is normal behavior in Guinea Pigs, they are use to being prey animals, so they are a little jumpy when sudden or big movements happen.

There is a simple way of calming her down some so she isn't so jumpy. It'll take some time and she will still be jumpy but not as much and become a little more relaxed around you.

First off, when ever around the her cage talk to her. I know that sound weird. But by doing this she will be able to identify you and it helps in building a bond between you two.

Second, after talking to her awhile stick your hand in the cage and allow her to smell it for a little while. This will help her know that she can trust you and help to tell that you are not a predator. Then pet her for a few minutes after she has smelled you. Remember to keep up the talking to her while you are doing all this, as Guinea Pigs don't have very good eye sight and depend upon their hearing and smell to understand what is going on.

Just do that for a few weeks and you should start to notice a change in her behavior. Keep in mind though she will still run away as big or sudden movements happen. This is just apart of her survival instincts, and you can't change that. But she will be less like to run away from you when you try to pick her up.

My youngest Guinea Pig still runs from me when I try to pick her up. Though I now have her trained, which is something you may want to try. I do all the steps I've just named, then while trying to pick her up, I tell her to go to a corner in the cage, and then tell her up. She settles down enough to let me pick her up once she is in the corner. You may also want to try training her to do that or something similar.

Good Luck to You, and I hope this help.

        Take Care,
               Jules