My guinea pigs are very scared
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
February 1, 2010 8:17pm CST
I have two guinea pigs, and they didn't get the best start. We have many other pets, and the cat often tried to climb around on their cage and she tried to enter the cage, the dog has been pushing the cage around and he has been barking at the guinea pigs.
Now I have put the guineapig in a separate room and locked the door, because both the cat and the dog can open the doors if they are not locked.
I think I should have put them in a separate room from the start, but I didn't think that there would be so many problems, since there has never been any problems between the rabbits and other animals.
Now the problem is that my guinea pigs have become very, very scared. I think that is understandable considering the way that the other animals have treated them, but I hope that they will get less scared in the future.
Do you have experience with guinea pigs? Do you have any advice for me in this situation or do you know what I could do to make them feel less scared?
7 responses
@stephbond89 (359)
•
25 May 10
Hiya, :) the only thing you can do is keep the cat and the dog away from the piggies, they do get very scared (we have 4 guinea pigs and they;re very skittish), and having a dog and a cat running around ino their cage will scare them even more- a scared guinea pig could even have a heart attack :(
Maybe you could buy a child safety gate?? The type which has mesh on the front to stop the animals getting into the room? The animals will al get used to each other if they are allowed to play together, but the worrying thing is that the cat could easily hurt them especially if they are only young, the dog is probably just curious and would be unlikely to hurt them.
There really isn't much you could do other than egtting a cage on "legs", or putting them outside in a hutch.
1 person likes this
@jetta12 (94)
• United States
17 Aug 10
I would be scared to put my outside,because of the weather,I had one that got hot in the back seat of the car,while we was leaving for Rita and it hurted.You do best in getting them from the heat,cold and out of the sun.If you have to put it outside make sure it is protected from the elements,birds and other animals.
1 person likes this
@str8_up_cutie83 (217)
• United States
26 Feb 10
It is very understandable that they are scared. I think that is was a very good idea that you put them in a separate room. I think if you try and interact with them more and more while they are in that locked room they should and will eventually trust again.
Hopefully one day you can reintroduce your other pets to them and it will not go as badly. but for now they just need to feel like nothing bad is going to happen to them. Good Luck and wish you the best!
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
29 Mar 10
Thanks 
Yes, I hope that they will eventually learn to trust again. So far the situation hasn't changed much, but it would be nice if they could be in the same room as the other pets some time in the future.
Yes, I hope that they will eventually learn to trust again. So far the situation hasn't changed much, but it would be nice if they could be in the same room as the other pets some time in the future.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
16 Feb 10
Guinea pigs are prey animals and it's always a bit hard to catch them and they like to hide a lot generally. But they should get friendlier with time and without the other animals bothering them. Usually it is best to have them in a location where they can be around a lot of attention, but in your case it sounds like separating them away from the other animals is the only solution.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
22 Feb 10
I am a little sad that I had to put them in separate room. The rabbits are in our living room and we spend most of the time there, so it would be nice to keep the guinea pigs there as well, but separating them from the other animals seems to be the only solution.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
3 Feb 10
Yes, I hope so. The situation has improved a little bit since I put the cage in another room, but I still hope that they will feel safer in the future.
@Shazooo (296)
• Malaysia
4 Jul 12
Beware of the cat...I had a guinea pig last time and it was killed by a stray cat that manage to climb up to my balcony where my guinea pig was. When I first got my guinea pig, they wouldn't even let me touch them, and sometimes would bite my hands, but as I was gentle and patient and caring to them, they eventually gave in. I would suggest giving them some treats like carrots perhaps. Hold it out to them at first and if they don't dare to come but still look longingly at the carrot give it to them and watch them at a safe distance...they will warn up to you again...as for the dogs and cats...better keep them separated..
1 person likes this
@piggychan (97)
• Canada
29 Mar 10
i've read that, one way of easing their anxiety is by touching them in a nice way.. also, dont take them out of the cage for prolonged periods, do it slowly.. like 2 mins for today, 3 mins on the next day, and so on...
