my new darling

Question
After a lot of research and thought I decided to get a guinea pig.  We live in an apartment (although I grew up on a farm so I've had animals before, just not one this small and adorable!) but I hate being alone all day.  Anyway, when we got her (just yesterday in fact) I put an old hat of mine in her house. Every time I peek in on her (ok all time, I can't stop looking) she's huddled in it.  I figured she'd sit on it or something, but she sits IN it.  She doesn't like it when I try to pick her up, but when I pick up the hat (when she's in it) she is totally calm.  Can you tell me why that is? Do you think the hat will start to get her comfortable with my scent?  when i do pick her up in the hat, after a few min, she will crawl out when she relaxes a little.  When she crawls out, she starts licking me.  Almost a nibble. Was she lacking salt in her diet before? She does this to my husband too. She doesn't use her teeth, I wash my hands and arms after handling her food, so it's not that. I'm wondering if the petstore's food didn't have enough salt in their diet? Thank you for your time! Oh she's soooo beautiful!  

Answer
Hi Adelle

I think she hides in your hat because piggies like hiding. When I let mine run around my lounge, they always go and hide under my coffee table.

Its natural that she will be a little nervous for the first few weeks with you. Keep handling her, even if she runs away, and she will get used to you.

The licking could be due to wanting salt, and some owners give their pigs a salt lick, although mine never touch theirs. I prefer to think that your pig is just being affectionate towards you.

Andy