How soon can I hand-feed and bond with my new, shy guinea pigs?

Hello, and congratulations on your new guinea pigs! Guinea pigs can become very social with humans but it can take some time if they have not had much interactions with humans before. Try to very gradually get them used to you by offering them something tasty such as fresh vegetables, fruits, and commercial treats from your hand. Eventually, they will start to associate your presence with treats, and will be more willing to come out to play. While they are eating a treat from your hand, you can try to gently pet them on the top of their head. Talk to your guinea pigs regularly so they get used to your voice, and ideally put their cage in a room where you are often in, so they get used to your presence as well. They can also learn their names if you use them often enough! Don't try to pick up/hold your guinea pigs until they have some comfort with taking a treat from your hand and putting their front paws on your hand. When you do try to pick them up, hold them snug but not too tight, and always support their bum to avoid falling. I hope this helps! Enjoy your little guys. They are great pets!

Continue to give the attention and handle them daily. And offer them treats. Try to find treats that a high in vitamin c since they can't produce their own vitamin c (kiwi, bell peppers, kale, oranges, etc). It will take some time for them to get use to you as changing environments can be stressful. I hope this helps

Hello, and thank you for your question. Guinea pigs can become very social and loving pets, but it will take some time. I would start by offering her treats from your hand. Speak softly to her while doing so, so she gets used to your voice. Eventually let her come to you for the treat. You can also try putting the treat further back on your hand to encourage her to put her front paws on you. Continue to offer her treats and allow her to put her paws on your hand, until she allows you to pet her gently. Eventually, she may accept holding as well, but start by holding her while you are sitting down on the floor, in case she spooks and tries to jump out. You can also try wrapping her loosely in a towel before holding her, which will provide extra support. Appropriate treats for guinea pigs include apples, pears, oranges, green peppers, lettuce, celery, or commercial guinea pig treats. If you continue to interact with her like this, she may become comfortable with you within a matter of a few weeks! I hope this helps! Enjoy your new pig!

Sorry to hear your having some problems with Oscar. Small animals can often be very shy and winning their trust can be a difficult task. Starting by offering a small amount of healthy treats, such as a small piece of carrot or apple just to encourage Oscar to come out of hiding. Start placing the treat only a few inches away from his hiding place, then gradually work it out further or from your hand. Try too keep all hand and body movements slow and precise as to not scare him. As always, if you think he is hiding because he is ill, see a veterinary examination.

Hazel is a great name. Guinea pigs can be very shy. I would recommend giving it a few days for Hazel to get use to her new environment. I than would recommend finding a really yummy treat and slowly start giving them to her. You might have to put it in her cage and work up to hand feeding her. Typically once they are more comfortable they are pretty friendly. Hope that helps

The more you interact with your guinea pigs the more comfortable they will become with you. Start by leaving the cage door open (under your supervision of course) and leaving some treats outside the cage. Let them come out on their own so they don't feel threatened. Every time you open the cage or need to handle them give them a special treat, something they love and only get when you are with them. Hold off on doing any baths or anything like that if you can for now. Make every interaction with you a positive one for them. This is called positive reinforcement and they will respond to this tactic more quickly than anything else As you can tell, treats are a big part of training them. So reserve any special food items for when you are there. They will start to associate you with the treats and begins to start trusting you more and more. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

The squeaking is from fear/anxiety. It may help to offer her treats and fruits and vegetables such as apples, blueberries and carrots daily by hand to help gradually relieve her anxiety around you over time/help her associate you with her favorite foods! Also spending time with her out of her cage on the floor with you with and treats/toys may gradually help her relax around you as well (vs being held high up). Good luck!