Guinea pigs are gentle animals with delicate bones and sensitive inner organs, nervous by nature and programmed with jumping habbits. Take extra care to prevent injuries.

How to handle a guinea pig

NOTE: Carrying is not a natural situation for these small animals, so an average new guinea pig is not going to like to be held.
Carrying can often induce fear in cavies, especially if not following Guinea Pig Manual Handling instructions.
In time your pet will probably get used to be carried, but it is also normal for these small animals to struggle to escape if you pick them against their will – even after years of life spent together. Nothing to worry about.
Be extra cautious not to squeeze your pet too hard or to accidentally drop it as it struggles.

How to pick up your guinea pig

NOTE: It is a general recommendation to prevent children from carrying a guinea pig, as they might squeeze too tightly or drop the animal.

1. Approach guinea pig from the front
2. Gently talk to your pet and stroke it on the head
3. Place one hand under your pet’s chest (just behind the front feet) and use your other hand to support its hindquarters
4. Bring your pet against your chest (this position should feel most secure), still supportung it by using two hands
5. Keep a firm grip, but do not squeeze (their bones and internal organs are fragile)
6. If your pet begins to struggle, lower yourself down to the floor in order to reduce the chance of fall injuries

In order to build a bond between the owner and his pet, it is recommended to handle the guinea pig as often as possible, following these handling instructions.
It is recommended to spend sufficient time gently talking to your pet and giving it treats so it learns to trust you, showing less and less fear.

How long should you hold your guinea pig?

It is recommended to hold your pet for maximum of 10-15 minutes at a time, as it naturally needs to go to the bathroom:

• If held for too long, your pet will let you know if it wants to get back to its home (it becomes restless, starts whining and nibbling your clothes)
• It is normal for a guinea pig to poop on you. It is less common for it to urine on you – but not impossible, especially if held for too long.

Where you should and should not touch your guinea pig

Some guinea pigs like to be touched in some spots and not in other spots:

• Observe and learn from your specific cavy model
• In most cases, the bum and the tummy tend to be the spots that they do not like to be touched
• It seems that in most cases all cavies like to have you stroke them on the head between the ears (some vets use this head-stroking to calm down a scared guinea pig)
• Gentle neck rub, under the chin, is often appreciated

How to put your guinea pig back in the cage

Following technique should be useful in preventing guinea pig struggle when holding them or trying to put them down, and it should show progress in the first few training weeks:

1. When returning your pet to the cage, make sure you have a good hold on it.
2. As you are nearing the cage floor, your pet is most likely begin to squirm – hold it firmly and securely few centimeters above the floor until it stops squirming.
3. Then, let it touch the cage floor, but don’t let it go just yet as it will immediately try to run.
4. When it finally stops struggling, let it go.

This technique (if done properly) will be especially useful to prevent injuries when someone with lesser coordination, experience or small hands (e.g. children) tries to handle your guinea pig as it will not squirm and/or jump.

How to catch escaping guinea pig

Depends on your guinea pig accommodation settings; if it has hiding places inside its cage, you have to outwit it:

• Lure it with food
• Close its escape exits
• Pick up its hiding places
• Do not use excessive force and practice patience
• It may wine or bite, but in time your pet will get use to being held
• Prepare to be bitten!

How to Handle Pregnant Guinea Pig

If you discover that your guinea pig is pregnant, you will have to take extra measures to ensure her safety and well-being.

• If possible, take her on the regular control exams to the veterinarian specialized in exotic animals.
• Handle your pet as little as possible late in the pregnancy.
• DO NOT hold your pet around the neck – apparently this could cause an abortion.
• If you have to transport her, use a box with openings for light and air.
• Take extra patience, precautions and care.
• After 3-4 weeks of pregnancy, pregnant guinea pig (the sow) must be separated from all male guinea pigs (boars). If this is not done, boars could try to mount the sow whilst she is pregnant, potentially harming both the mother and the pups. Also, boars could impregnate the sow right after she would give birth, which would be very dangerous for the sow.
• After 4-5 weeks of pregnancy, prepare a “nursery”, and remove the sow from all the other female guinea pigs.
• The nursery should be warm, quiet, indoors, and provided with toys and extra food. Minimal size about 8ft sq (about 0.7m2).
• Provide an increased amount of vegetables (especially the ones rich in Vitamin C), pellets (alfalfa based if possible), and alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay is much higher in calcium, protein, and carbohydrates, and should only be given to pregnant sows and young pups.

How to Handle Baby Guinea Pig

Few days young cavy needs time to adjust to new surroundings. To prevent traumatic experiences, owner should try to avoid:

• Loud noises
• Cuddling
• Lurking / Looming (this triggers animal’s instinct to run and hide because owner appear to be a predatory bird looming its prey)

When observing young cavy it is recommended to put oneself at an eye level with it.

Regarding other household pets, it is recommended to avoid interaction between them and the guinea pig in the first few days; later they can be slowly introduced one by one. Needless to instruct, potentially dangerous, predatory by nature household pets should not be in the radious of 45 miles from your guinea pig.

Children must be reminded that young cavies needs peace and quiet to adjust.