Nervous Guinea Pig

Question
My guinea pig is less than 6 months old, and he's very nervous in his cage, and he freaks out whenever we go near him.  I can pick him up and hold him without him being scared, but if I just walk by the cage he starts running around and jumping up in the air.  Do you have any suggestions?
      Thank you!
            Dusty

Answer
Hi Dusty,

You know, I'm not sure that it's nerves making him run and jump around. I think he gets excited when he sees you around; I think he is popcorning. Popcorning is when they run around at speed, jump into the air, twist and twitch their heads and bodies, and even roll onto their backs. It's a behaviour which tells a story of a very happy guinea pig.

If it is more of a scared running and jumping over things to try and escape and hide, then simply talking as you enter the room he is in, talking as you approach his cage, talking as you pass the cage and look into it, and talking as you walk away, will reassure him and also warn him that you are around, so he doesn't get such a shock when this big figure wanders past without a sound.

If you require any more help or advice, let me know and I will be glad to help.

Best Wishes,

- Laura
www.cavy-care.com