Guinea pig doesn’t like me
The guinea pig’s body language may be used to interpret whether or not it is happy or unhappy.
Your guinea pig will display some specific behaviors as a warning signal to let you know if it has come into touch with something unpleasant or inappropriate in order to convey this information to you.
These indications suggest that they are highly unhappy about the issue, thus you need to take them seriously since they are telling you that.
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Why does my guinea pig hate me
There is a good chance that the scared behavior of your guinea pig is not the consequence of anything you have done or not done. It is conceivable for guinea pigs who are used to being touched and patted on a regular basis to acquire a behavior that is hostile and hostile to other animals.
It is possible for guinea pigs to display behaviors such as hiding, running away, and other similar actions due to the fact that they are prey animals by nature. These kinds of responses are to be anticipated on their part because it is inherent in them to behave in this way.
Why is my guinea pig scared all of a sudden?
It’s incredibly upsetting if they start avoiding you, hiding from you, and running away from you for what appears to be no cause at all, since this behavior on their part might lead to.
What steps will you take to establish if this is a serious issue or only a fleeting emotion that you have?
Health issues
The fact that guinea pigs are considered to be prey animals explains why they are able to hide the discomfort they are experiencing so effectively. On the other hand, predators are drawn to the wild guinea pigs that are showing symptoms of being in agony. As a direct consequence of this, they feel an innate compulsion to guard it. Dogs and cats share the same instinct as guinea pigs, and they are more inclined than people to hide injuries or illnesses. Guinea pigs also have this instinct.
For instance, if your guinea pig sustains an injury, regardless of how serious or how little it is, they will be able to effortlessly hide it from you and heal themselves on their own. Your guinea pig will most likely stay quiet about this matter until such time as it feels better and can return to a state of good health.
Also read: 25 health issues common in guinea pigs
Loud noises
Guinea pigs develop anxiety when they are frightened, and the most prevalent cause of this condition is exposure to loud noises.
Guinea pigs have hearing that is extraordinarily acute. Guinea pigs, which are easily stressed out by loud noises, may perceive sounds that are not audible to humans as being excessively loud. This might cause the guinea pigs to become anxious.
The guinea pigs with floppy ears are the ones with the highest levels of sensitivity. Guinea pigs with drooping ears are able to detect mild noises as well as extra activities due to the anatomy of their ears.
Because of this, they may be better at recognizing potential threats, but they also have an incredible capacity for overreacting.
It’s possible that the loud noises coming from the outside or from your neighbors are making your guinea pig anxious.
You need to figure out if your guinea pig was frightened by loud sounds or by quiet sounds if it all of a sudden became hostile toward you.
Change in living environments
It is not always the case that one’s physical surroundings will shift if there is a change in their living environment.
Within the confined area for the guinea pigs, the presence of food, toys, other people, and even sounds is allowed.
Guinea pigs are susceptible to being harmed by a wide range of factors, some of which are covert and very unimportant in nature.
For instance, a veterinary surgeon may pay you a visit, or you may have grown concerned with your work, or you may have guests over to your house. All of these things may prevent you from attending to your pet. Something similar to this has the potential to make your guinea pigs anxious, so you should exercise caution in anything that you do with them.
Because of the nature of the scenario, the setting in which your guinea pig lives is likely to become stressful, which will cause a shift in the animal’s behavior.
Strong smell
It is conceivable that your guinea pig has become averse to you as a result of your smell, and this aversion may have evolved over time. These critters have been socialized to avoid particular odors, mainly those that are associated with the larger creatures that prey on them, such as dogs and cats, which they have been taught to find repulsive.
Also, guinea pigs may link certain odors with unpleasant events, such as when their owner handles them while wearing a specific perfume aroma on their fur. In this scenario, the guinea pigs may become fearful of their owner. Guinea pigs can’t stand the scent of much more than a faint hint of odor since their nostrils are so delicate.
If you suddenly notice that your guinea pig is more nervous about being touched, it’s conceivable that the problem is related to the smell that you give off. It’s possible that the source of your discomfort is anything as simple as the dog (or cat) you’re holding in your hands, the hand lotion you use, or even the potent perfume you’re wearing.
Think about the offensive smells that are pervasive in your surroundings. It’s possible that the aromas coming from the kitchen are the culprit behind your guinea pig’s poor conduct.
It is likely that the new air freshener that you have introduced to your guinea pig does not sit well with his nose. This is something that you should keep in mind.
You should relocate the guinea to a new location if you have reason to believe that it is becoming upset as a result of the smell in the area where it was found.
Also read: All about guinea pig’s sense of smell
Stress
Stress may easily develop in guinea pigs due to their sensitive nature. This is because of their reputation as prey species, as well as the reality that this behavior is innate to them as organisms.
If, for some unknown reason, your guinea pig becomes less loved toward you as a result of being worried, you should not be disheartened by this development.
This is a typical method in which guinea pigs conduct themselves. They need nothing more than a little bit of space to breathe and some patience.
You need to make an effort to calm them down while also trying to create a positive relationship with them. Both of these things are required of you.
Why doesn’t my guinea pig like me?
It will normally take one or two days for a guinea pig that has been frightened to recuperate and return to its regular state. On the other hand, a guinea pig that is scared might act in any one of a number of different ways.
It is not necessary to be very concerned about the majority of their responses because they are often mild. On the other hand, guinea pigs are capable of inflicting bodily injury on either you or on themselves in order to stimulate different emotions.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the more typical actions that your guinea pig engages in during the day.
Guinea pig runs away when i try to pick him up
Guinea pigs will occasionally resist being touched if they feel threatened in any way. This behavior is especially typical in cases in which the guinea pig has not interacted with its owner since it was a juvenile.
It is easy for an unsocialized guinea pig to get uncomfortable and afraid if it is petted by someone who is not familiar with the animal. If your guinea pig is scared, it will want to get away from you and out of the cage in order to get away from the danger.
It is possible that your guinea pig will hurt itself while attempting to escape its predator. For instance, your guinea pig runs the risk of being injured if it comes into contact with materials that might be harmful to them.
In addition to this, they run the risk of becoming wedged between the items. Alternately, they might injure themselves by placing their feet on a surface that is too hard to support them.
In this particular circumstance, it is in your best interest to give your guinea pig some alone time for a limited amount of time.
Give your guinea pig the opportunity to approach you on its own will by allowing it to do so. You need to earn your guinea pig’s trust again before you may approach it with your hand. Do this in a slow and methodical manner. You might try to entice them to relax by dangling a tasty reward in front of them while remaining at a safe distance.
Guinea pig freezes when held
In addition to being afraid of being chased, guinea pigs frequently worry about freezing, which causes them to behave in a manner that may be predicted. The act of freezing invariably brings on the other symptoms of anxiousness in guinea pigs, such as pacing and hunching their backs. Under under pressure, guinea pigs may often hunch their bodies and have swollen eyes.
When guinea pigs freeze, it is an indication that they are feeling high amounts of anxiety, which can be harmful to them. Running away is another sign of this. Guinea pigs are susceptible to developing health issues if they are put in stressful situations on a consistent basis or for a prolonged length of time.
The answer to this issue is the same as the answer to the question of how to solve the issue of running away. You should never attempt to force your guinea pig to display any form of physical affection toward you. Instead, focus on building trust and a sense of connection with your guinea pig so that the two of you can coexist together. Give them permission to come to you on their own terms by letting them find their way to you.
Guinea pig won’t eat from my hand
It is normal for your guinea pig to abruptly stop eating the food that you are holding in your hand, so you shouldn’t be startled if this happens. There are three different reasons that might be causing this, and all of them are straightforward to fix:
- It is conceivable that the fragrance of your hands is something that your guinea pig finds unpleasant.
- There is a chance that your guinea pig does not enjoy the food that you provide for it. They are sensitive to the new meal, and if the scent, texture, or flavor of the food they normally eat is altered in any way, it might cause them to get agitated. Because of this, it’s possible that your guinea pig will have emotions of unease as a result.
- It’s possible that the guinea pig will grow perplexed as a result of your activities. Guinea pigs are very territorial when it comes to their food sources and live in groups that are organized according to social hierarchies. It’s possible that your guinea pig won’t realize you’re trying to give them goodies since they won’t be able to see you doing so. As a result, they could think you’re trying to take possession of the treats.
There is no need for you to be concerned if you notice that your guinea pig has suddenly stopped eating the food that you are holding out in front of him. All that is required of you is to let your guinea pig some time to become familiar with the following:
- There is no reason to be concerned about the aroma coming from your palm; in fact, it can even be regarded appropriate.
- The new cuisine does not have any substances that are potentially hazardous to one’s health.
- The consumption of the treat by guinea pigs is sanctioned and there will be no resistance from your end.
On the other hand, if your guinea pig shows little interest in eating, the predicament can become more dire. If your guinea pig is experiencing these symptoms, you need to take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
My guinea pig jump out of my hands
Guinea pigs typically launch themselves out of their owners’ arms when they sense that their owners are becoming anxious. In the context of this discussion, the answer that is being alluded to is the “leaping out” response. In spite of the fact that their legs are robust, their bones are in very poor condition.
Because of this, guinea pigs that are struggling as a result of their anxiety are at a higher risk of sustaining major injuries to their backs, necks, or legs as a consequence of their actions.
If the person who is handling the guinea pig that is struggling does not exercise caution, that person runs the risk of being kicked suddenly or scratched by the sharp claws of the animal.
It is strongly recommended that you refrain from relocating your guinea pigs while the issue is still relatively recent.
In the event that you need to take them someplace else or take them to the doctor immediately, you should always start by offering them a reward, which will then lead them to the pet carrier you have prepared for them.
Your guinea pig will eventually get less tense, allowing you to cuddle and carry it in your arms when it reaches that point. If they first resist being held, they will need to be retrained so that they are able to tolerate being held in the days and weeks to come. Here are a few examples that illustrate my point:
- If you want the optimum outcomes, you’ll want to go down on your hands and knees and cradle the guinea pig in between your legs.
- After they have adjusted to their new surroundings, you will be able to pick up your guinea pig and carry it about in your arms to give it some much-needed reassurance.
- They ought to be let to depart and make another attempt at a later time if they do not come within a time frame that is considered to be fair. As long as the floor of the enclosure is within easy reach from the top of the cage, an animal will not get any injuries by falling from that height.
- After a few sessions of training, you should be ready to start sitting on a chair or sofa with your guinea pig, assuming that he or she is comfortable in your arms and does not have difficulties going into your arms.
- Experimenting with moving about and standing still for some time can be done by the owner of the guinea pig as long as the animal does not experience any negative reactions to the increased height.
- As soon as you come to terms with this, you won’t have any problems at all when it comes to holding your guinea pig in your arms. Everyone should make it their number one responsibility to ensure that they are protected against hazardous conditions, such as loud noises or stressful settings. It doesn’t matter how comfortable the guinea pig is with you at the moment; if they are frightened, they may try to flee the situation by jumping out of the cage.
Guinea pig doesn’t like to be held
The natural disposition of guinea pigs is to avoid being touched. Before putting their faith in people, guinea pigs like to learn as much as they can about them first.
As the Guinea pig reaches the age of six weeks, it is required to start socializing with humans. During this period, kids need to be acclimated to the idea that they will be spending time with other people by participating in socialization activities. It is the right moment to pat and cuddle them so that they may get used to the sensation and get more comfortable with it.
If an animal is not given the opportunity to engage with humans from a young age, it is more probable that the animal may develop a dread of being touched.
Because of this, guinea pigs can still be socialized even after something like this has taken place, but the process will require more work and time from the owners. The following are some things to keep in mind:
- Before you are able to carry them, you will need to first get yourself down to the level of the guinea pig. Let them take a scent of your hands if you don’t mind.
- In order to carry them, you must position one hand under each of their legs and use the other hand to support their back, as seen in the following image.
- When you hold your guinea pig in your arms, they will feel more at ease if you first attempt to pet them on their back and hindquarters.
- As soon as you see that your guinea pig is attempting to rotate their body in a side-to-side motion, you must immediately set it on the ground.
- Although while doing so may make it simpler for you to handle your guinea pig if you put it on its back, it is not suggested that you do so. Your guinea pig will have a rough time if you choose to do this to it. As a consequence of this, it is possible that your guinea pig will suffer anxiety as a result.
- Never, under any circumstances, attempt to hold your guinea pig by the head or neck. As a possible side effect of this surgery, your guinea pig may be in a state of pain or even distress.
What do you do if your guinea pig doesn’t like you?
Even if you make an effort to comfort him, there are certain unique circumstances in which your worried guinea pig will continue to dislike you despite your efforts. Because of a number of factors, including but not limited to the following:
- It is probable that they did not get a healthy or positive upbringing.
- There is a good chance that your guinea pig may learn to view you as a threat to its own safety if you terrify it on a regular basis.
- If another person has adopted your guinea, it may have trouble trusting you because it is adjusting to a new environment or because it has had terrible experiences in the past.
While establishing a new connection, it is in everyone’s best interest to begin from square one. The following are some options available to you:
Converse with them
Even if your guinea pig avoids physical contact with you, conversing with it can assist improve the two of you’re ability to communicate with one another.
Are you aware that guinea pigs have sensitive hearing and that loud noises can easily startle or alarm your pet? If so, do you still keep this information in mind?
As a consequence of this, you should always ensure that you speak to your guinea pig in a delicate and sensitive manner.
It is imperative that you have a level head anytime you are communicating with your guinea pig since these animals have the ability to pick up on the tone of your voice and react emotionally as a result.
Get down at ground level
The guinea pig is a species of rodent that is characterized by its tiny size and its habit of living near the water’s surface. Guinea pigs see people as nothing more than a pair of feet when seeing them from their point of view.
As a result of this, it is best to stoop down to the same level as your guinea pig while approaching and interacting with it.
This can help guinea pigs become less scared of you and feel more at ease when you are around them. If you are a tall and superior animal, it is quite rare that people will accept you.
Observe and learn about their behavior
The personalities of guinea pigs are unique, setting them apart from the personalities of other animals. Observation is the sole method available for gaining insight into their characters.
It is essential to build the required trust in order to find out where your guinea pigs like to spend their time the most, what their preferred diet is, what activities they find most pleasurable, and what toys bring them the most joy.
If your guinea pig does not enjoy being touched, it is in your best interest to avoid doing so as much as possible. Instead of doing this, you should wait and see what the outcome is after giving them some time to work things out on their own.
In order to alleviate their nervousness, guinea pigs can benefit from being exposed to new scents, objects, and sounds.
Provide them with their basic needs
Depending on how old they are, some of the guinea pigs can be more affectionate than others. The most essential conditions, however, must be met by each and every one of them.
Your guinea pig is going to need water, attention, and food at specific times of the day no matter what kind of personality they have.
At all times, you are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate access to drinking water, a good meal, and a secure place to relax.
Following that, you will need to determine how much attention your guinea pig desires and how to provide it to him in the appropriate manner.
Do they like more straightforward animals, such as cats and dogs as pets? Are they squishy and warm to the touch? They either want to sit on your thighs or they want to fiddle with your thighs. What do they want? If you make sure that each of these parameters is met, then your guinea pigs will be more content in their environment and will experience a higher level of comfort overall.
In addition to this, they will show you increased affection and attention.
Build a bond with them
Developing a friendship with your guinea pig is the single most effective thing you can do to win over his or her confidence and trust. Put in the effort to spend some high-quality time with them in an environment that is serene and private.
It would be ideal if you could make sure that there are no other pets or people in the room when you are spending time with your guinea pig since this would allow you to have some uninterrupted quality time together.
If you lower yourself down to the same level as your guinea pig, you will be able to lie down on the ground.
If your guinea pig is still anxious, you should attempt to dissuade it from its fear by engaging it in a new activity while keeping it in close proximity to you.
They will be able to find you, and as a result of the fact that you are there, it will contribute to an increase in their level of satisfaction. Make it a point to perform this action several times a day at the very least.
You may further deepen your bond with your guinea pig by petting it, which is another fantastic approach to do so.
If your guinea pig will let you feed it with your hands, you should give it a little tap on the head before you do so. Your guinea pig will eventually become used to your presence and feel more comfortable around you.
Offer them treats and floor time
The time that is spent on the flooring is extremely essential for your guinea pig, and it is recommended that it be done at least three times each week for a period of one hour each time. On the other hand, daily floor time is something that should be encouraged.
Floor time is something that guinea pigs look forward to since it allows them to spend some time outside of their cage. Your guinea pigs will appreciate the addition of tasty goodies to their diet, which you may supply for them as an extra perk.
