Cavybeat :: Exercises

Guinea pigs need regular human contact to become tame, but often it can be hard to decide what to do. Handling your guinea pig is not limited to holding them on your lap. Below are some ideas for creative playtime.

Lie down with the guinea pig on your stomach, breathe slowly and pat, comb or hold them. You can talk to them if you like - they might begin to purr or chatter back in guinea pig language. Remember to get up slowly afterwards to avoid startling the guinea pig.

Sitting near the cage and talking to the guinea pigs will get them used to your voice and scent. This is particularly useful when a new guinea pig has just come home, as it helps them to get to know their new owner without the stress of being handled so early on.

Combing

Although only long-haired guinea pigs require it, many guinea pigs love having their hair combed or brushed. Normal plastic combs and baby brushes are great for this purpose. Remember to always brush in the direction the hair runs naturally - this can be difficult on Abysinnian guinea pigs.

Group Hug

Many guinea pigs like to be held on your lap in groups. If you sit them all together, they may begin to chatter to each other. Don't hold too many at once though - they might fall off! Guinea pigs sitting in groups also tend to squirm more so you may want to sit on the floor in case one decides they want to hop down.

Feeding small bits of food out of your hand is fun for both human and owner. Close your fingers loosely around the tidbit and your guinea pig will have to nose your hand open to get the treat. Most guinea pigs will only be handfed foods they really like, such as vegetables or any food they don't regularly get.

Some guinea pigs seem to enjoy listening to music. They like it to be played very quietly, but there is no evidence that guinea pigs have preferences in musical genres! This is useful for calming frightened guinea pigs and drowning out the sound of the wind.

The radio can be a useful calming tool. The constant sound of human voices, with intermittent music, is especially useful for quietening guinea pigs that are panicking during storms. It is a good idea to talk to the guinea pig yourself, then leave the radio on quietly for the duration of the storm. Don't use a radio station that is likely to have angry or raised voices, as this could stress the guinea pigs further. If you are doing this in a storm, have a battery-powered radio in case of power outage.

Read to your guinea pig! It may sound silly, but this accustoms the guinea pigs to the sound of your voice. You can read during floor time or while they're on your lap. Thanks to Anna of Wheekers for this idea!