Whether it be your first guinea pigs or an addition to your current herd, bringing new guinea pigs home and welcoming them into the family is always such an exciting time. Guinea pigs make fantastic pets and despite their small size will explode with individual personalities as you get to know them. Guinea pigs are naturally prey animals, so in a new environment they will naturally tend to hide and protect themselves from any potential predators and danger – which can be very challenging for many new guinea pig parents. Taming and bonding with your guinea pigs will take some time, patience and a little bit of effort, however it will definitely be worth it as your guinea pigs become more confident and comfortable around you. Today we will go through our Top 10 Tips and Techniques for bonding with your guinea pigs.

1. Before bringing your guinea pig home
   1. It is important to have everything you need ready and waiting to go prior to bringing your new guinea pigs home. This includes having an appropriate cage set up filled with lots of hiding places. See our previous blog here: Everything you need to get started.
2. When you bring your Guinea pigs home
   1. When you first bring your guinea pigs home, they will naturally be very timid and scared going into a whole new environment. As tempting as it is to handle your new guinea pigs a lot on their first day, this new change in surroundings can be very stressful for them. We recommend placing them into their new home and giving them some time to settle in. Try and reduce any noise and sudden movements that may scare your guinea pigs. Most guinea pigs will tend to spend most of their time hiding to start with, but when they start to feel more comfortable and confident will begin to come out and explore their new surroundings – This is often at night time when everyone else is asleep.
3. The first few days home
   1. Over the first few days, our goal is to start creating the first steps to bonding with our guinea pigs, and allowing them to recognise that we are not a threat or danger to them. We recommend pulling up a seat next to your guinea pig cage, allowing them to get used to your presence, but not feel too threatened. Gently talk to your guinea pigs, tell them about your day or what’s on your mind (guinea pigs can be great therapists!), allowing them to recognise and get used to your voice, and feel more comfortable with your voice and presence, showing them that you do not mean any harm or danger to them.
4. Food is the way to a guinea pigs heart
   1. The way to a guinea pig heart is almost always, food. Guinea pigs love to eat, and using their favourite vegetables and occasional fruit can be a great way to build that interaction and bond. It is important to note that not all guinea pigs like all fruits and vegetables – some guinea pigs depending on their history, may never have been offered or had access to various foods before, so they may be timid at first when offered something new for the first time. Offer your guinea pig a few different food options to start with to try and find out what their preferences are – just like humans, guinea pigs have favourite foods too!
   2. Start out by placing a small amount of favourable foods in a more open area of the cage. Step 1 is to remove all human interaction and allow your guinea pig to come out and find the food off their own accord. Step 2, is to again, sit quietly next to your guinea pigs cage as they come out to eat. Step 3, is to gently talk to your guinea pigs as they come out for food.
5. The first physical interactions
   1. Once your guinea pigs are happy to come out of hiding in your presence, it is time to progress to physical interaction. Start by placing some favourite snacks in the palm of your hand and extend it out to your guinea pigs, allowing them to come to you. Moving towards your guinea pigs too soon can come across as threatening and force them to retreat. It’s fine if they take the food and run – this is a normal and natural instinct – over time they will learn that you are not a threat and feel more comfortable accepting food off you.
6. Hand feeding
   1. Now it is time to progress from submissive feeding to hand feeding. Depending on your guinea pigs temperament, there are two different methods you can try. The first is to feed small pieces of favourable foods, that are quickly eaten, encouraging your guinea pig to continue returning for more. If your guinea pigs are still a little timid, you can try the long-food technique, by offering a food such as long blades of grass or large cos lettuce leaves, that start further away, eventually eating their way closer to you.
7. Create a routine
   1. Guinea pigs are very habitual creatures and love a routine. You may notice over time your guinea pigs will be ready and waiting for their breakfast or dinner, coming out of their hiding spots, wheeking, and even sometimes begging for food time. Creating a regular routine will encourage this more confident behaviour. Guinea pigs will quickly learn the sound of the fridge opening or a rustle of a plastic bag associated with food time!

 8. Taking your guinea pigs out of their cage

1. When taking your guinea pig out of the cage, it can be a whole new and scary experience for them, and you need to build a trusting relationship between you and your guinea pig for them to feel comfortable and confident. We recommend holding your guinea pigs in a cosy bed, tunnel, cuddle sac or blanket, so they feel safe and secure. This also helps to prevent a scared guinea pig from jumping out of your arms and causing injury. Always sit down when holding your new guinea pigs so there is less movement and reduced risk of injury if they were to fall.
2. You want to create a positive experience when your guinea pigs are out and interacting with you – adding food and treats to their cuddle time is a great way to influence a positive experience.
3. Some guinea pigs will tend to freeze and not move when being held – this is a normal instinctive behaviour when around potential ‘predators’ or danger, but over time as you add this to a regular routine your guinea pigs will become more comfortable and confident.

9. Floor time
   1. Floor time is a fun way to interact with your guinea pigs. Creating a small pen or enclosure that is large enough for you to sit inside with your guinea pigs will encourage further interaction. You can place vegetables over your legs or on your lap and your guinea pigs will eventually start to approach, and eventually jump and explore on or around you!
10. Remember: Taming guinea pigs takes time, patience and a little bit of effort. Every single guinea pig is different and every guinea pig has had different life experiences prior to being welcomed into your home – some guinea pigs will naturally be more timid or more confident than others, and some guinea pigs will take longer to build that confidence and trust. However with a little time and effort, you will soon see your piggies little personalities popping through, and they make fantastic pets and companions.