Advice on rodent care (as in a pet)

Aerozord · 07-20-2011, 01:56 PM

So looking after a guinea pig, she is still rather young and I want to remove her fear of being pet and/or held. It was suggested to me to forcibly grab and hold her, then feed her to show you aren't a threat. Wanted to know if there was any other advice on how to make this easier

rpgdemon · 07-20-2011, 03:56 PM

Giving her food and talking to her at the same time will make her at least familiar with your presence/come running when you talk to her/come by. And start squeaking adorably and being all, "FOOOOOOOOOD!"

But yeah, Guinea Pigs don't like to be picked up, but once you sit down and start holding her, she ought to calm down. When you pick her up, make sure to support her hind half, letting her rear rest on your hand/arm.

Aerozord · 07-20-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpgdemon

Giving her food and talking to her at the same time will make her at least familiar with your presence/come running when you talk to her/come by. And start squeaking adorably and being all, "FOOOOOOOOOD!"

wait, that squeaking is a good sound? I thought it was a sound of distress

rpgdemon · 07-20-2011, 04:27 PM

Happy squeaking sounds sort of burbling, and if she jumps in the air excitedly, that's a good thing too.

A bad sound is chattering teeth (Not biting anything), which means she's angry/upset.

Bad squeaking is like a sharp single squeak, but if she continues it, like, "Squeaaaaak! Squeak squeaaaak!", that's more excited.

Magus · 07-21-2011, 12:17 AM

Rat poison.

Krylo · 07-21-2011, 12:17 AM

Cats.

Menarker · 07-21-2011, 12:45 AM

Mind you, rodents and animals like rabbits do not generally like to be picked up due to a instinct which ranks high on the "HO'SHIT" meter.

Because the only time those animals are normally airborne is when they have been captured by a bird of prey. >_>

So yeah, you'll want it to warm up to you before attempting to pick it up.

I used to have a rabbit, but not a guinea pig, so take my word with a bit of salt, if you will.

CABAL49 · 07-21-2011, 10:20 AM

First off, guinea pigs are the best of rodent pets.

And mine didn't like being picked up at first either. Once they get used to you it won't be to much of a problem. Remember the difference in size between you. You are the most terrifying thing this little rodent has ever seen.

Food and petting are the best way to get them used to you. Show them that your hand is not a threat.

Osterbaum · 07-21-2011, 10:44 AM

Don't leave them out at night. The cold might kill them.

Aerozord · 07-21-2011, 02:08 PM

lately she's started hiding in her little house. Should I wait for her to start coming out again or remove it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osterbaum

Don't leave them out at night. The cold might kill them.

how cold are we talking, right now I'm more worried about heat, but it can get cold in the winter even inside, I'd say 60s

07-20-2011, 01:56 PM	#1
Aerozord So we are clear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Former murder capital of the world Posts: 13,824	Advice on rodent care (as in a pet) So looking after a guinea pig, she is still rather young and I want to remove her fear of being pet and/or held. It was suggested to me to forcibly grab and hold her, then feed her to show you aren't a threat. Wanted to know if there was any other advice on how to make this easier __________________ "don't hate me for being a heterosexual white guy disparaging slacktivism, hate me for all those murders I've done."

07-20-2011, 03:56 PM	#2
rpgdemon Not a Taco Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,313	Giving her food and talking to her at the same time will make her at least familiar with your presence/come running when you talk to her/come by. And start squeaking adorably and being all, "FOOOOOOOOOD!" But yeah, Guinea Pigs don't like to be picked up, but once you sit down and start holding her, she ought to calm down. When you pick her up, make sure to support her hind half, letting her rear rest on your hand/arm. __________________ I did a lot of posting on here as a teenager, and I was pretty awful. Even after I learned, grew up, and came to be on the right side of a lot of important issues, I was still angry, abrasive, and generally increased the amount of hate in the world, in pretty unacceptable ways. On the off chance that someone is taking a trip down memory lane looking through those old threads, I wanted to devote my signature to say directly to you, I'm sorry. Thank you for letting me be better, NPF.

07-20-2011, 04:27 PM	#4
rpgdemon Not a Taco Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,313	Happy squeaking sounds sort of burbling, and if she jumps in the air excitedly, that's a good thing too. A bad sound is chattering teeth (Not biting anything), which means she's angry/upset. Bad squeaking is like a sharp single squeak, but if she continues it, like, "Squeaaaaak! Squeak squeaaaak!", that's more excited. __________________ I did a lot of posting on here as a teenager, and I was pretty awful. Even after I learned, grew up, and came to be on the right side of a lot of important issues, I was still angry, abrasive, and generally increased the amount of hate in the world, in pretty unacceptable ways. On the off chance that someone is taking a trip down memory lane looking through those old threads, I wanted to devote my signature to say directly to you, I'm sorry. Thank you for letting me be better, NPF. Last edited by rpgdemon; 07-20-2011 at 04:34 PM.

07-21-2011, 12:17 AM	#5
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Rat poison. __________________ The Valiant Review

07-21-2011, 12:17 AM	#6
Krylo The Straightest Shota Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: It's a secret to everybody. Posts: 17,789	Cats. __________________ I am very tired.

07-21-2011, 12:45 AM	#7
Menarker OMG! WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,802	Mind you, rodents and animals like rabbits do not generally like to be picked up due to a instinct which ranks high on the "HO'SHIT" meter. Because the only time those animals are normally airborne is when they have been captured by a bird of prey. >_> So yeah, you'll want it to warm up to you before attempting to pick it up. I used to have a rabbit, but not a guinea pig, so take my word with a bit of salt, if you will. __________________ THE BIO OF RENNY TRESSERHORN THE BIOs OF POKEMON UMBRAL!

07-21-2011, 10:20 AM	#8
CABAL49 Not bad. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Senatus Populusque Americanus Posts: 1,584	First off, guinea pigs are the best of rodent pets. And mine didn't like being picked up at first either. Once they get used to you it won't be to much of a problem. Remember the difference in size between you. You are the most terrifying thing this little rodent has ever seen. Food and petting are the best way to get them used to you. Show them that your hand is not a threat.

07-21-2011, 10:44 AM	#9
Osterbaum The revolution will be memed! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: FIN Posts: 5,967	Don't leave them out at night. The cold might kill them. __________________ D is for Dirty Commie!