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How to Handle Tame Your Guinea Pig Step by Step

When tame your guinea pig leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Caring for Your Guinea Pig in its First Days at Home

Make sure your guinea pig has its own space.

Your guinea pig should have an appropriate cage or hutch (available from pet stores) to spend his/her own time in. It can live inside or outside, as long as it is comfortable and safe. However, if you live in a region with cold seasons, the pig should be brought indoors during the winter.

Your guinea pig should have an appropriate cage or hutch (available from pet stores) to spend his/her own time in.
It can live inside or outside, as long as it is comfortable and safe.
However, if you live in a region with cold seasons, the pig should be brought indoors during the winter.
Your guinea pig should have an appropriate cage or hutch (available from pet stores) to spend his/her own time in.
It can live inside or outside, as long as it is comfortable and safe.

Provide a quiet environment for your guinea pig.

Guinea pigs have sensitive hearing, so they’ll be most comfortable in a place that is free from major sources of noise (such as traffic, loud televisions, and rambunctious play). Keeping things especially quiet for the first few days that your guinea pig is home might help it adjust.

Guinea pigs have sensitive hearing, so they’ll be most comfortable in a place that is free from major sources of noise (such as traffic, loud televisions, and rambunctious play).
Keeping things especially quiet for the first few days that your guinea pig is home might help it adjust.
Guinea pigs have sensitive hearing, so they’ll be most comfortable in a place that is free from major sources of noise (such as traffic, loud televisions, and rambunctious play).
Keeping things especially quiet for the first few days that your guinea pig is home might help it adjust.
Guinea pigs have sensitive hearing, so they’ll be most comfortable in a place that is free from major sources of noise (such as traffic, loud televisions, and rambunctious play).

Give your guinea pig some space at first.

On the first day you bring your guinea pig home, don’t bother it by trying to play or cuddle—just silently check on it now and then to make sure that it is okay. Guinea pigs have to build trust in you, as they are prey animals in nature. Giving yours some time alone at first will help it get used to its new home.

On the first day you bring your guinea pig home, don’t bother it by trying to play or cuddle—just silently check on it now and then to make sure that it is okay.
Guinea pigs have to build trust in you, as they are prey animals in nature.
Giving yours some time alone at first will help it get used to its new home.
On the first day you bring your guinea pig home, don’t bother it by trying to play or cuddle—just silently check on it now and then to make sure that it is okay.
Guinea pigs have to build trust in you, as they are prey animals in nature.

Feed your guinea pig at the same time each day.

Having a regular supply of food will keep your guinea pig healthy and happy. If you feed it regularly (try doing so twice a day), it will associate your sounds with food and comfort. You should ask your vet or pet supply store for food suggestions, but generally your guinea pig should eat:

Having a regular supply of food will keep your guinea pig healthy and happy.
If you feed it regularly (try doing so twice a day), it will associate your sounds with food and comfort.
You should ask your vet or pet supply store for food suggestions, but generally your guinea pig should eat:
Having a regular supply of food will keep your guinea pig healthy and happy.
If you feed it regularly (try doing so twice a day), it will associate your sounds with food and comfort.

Make sure your guinea pig is eating.

At first, guinea pigs are unlikely to eat in front of you. To make sure that yours is eating and healthy, just check its food and water dishes in the morning. If your guinea pig has eaten, you will see that these supplies have been depleted.

At first, guinea pigs are unlikely to eat in front of you.
To make sure that yours is eating and healthy, just check its food and water dishes in the morning.
If your guinea pig has eaten, you will see that these supplies have been depleted.
At first, guinea pigs are unlikely to eat in front of you.
To make sure that yours is eating and healthy, just check its food and water dishes in the morning.

Part 2

Letting Your Guinea Pig Get to Know You

Let your guinea pig sniff your hand.

After a few visits, you can try sticking your hand in your guinea pig’s cage. If your guinea pig is feeling adventurous, it might come and sniff your hand. Don’t try to pick your guinea pig up just yet; but rather keep your hand still.

After a few visits, you can try sticking your hand in your guinea pig’s cage.
If your guinea pig is feeling adventurous, it might come and sniff your hand.
Don’t try to pick your guinea pig up just yet; but rather keep your hand still.
After a few visits, you can try sticking your hand in your guinea pig’s cage.
If your guinea pig is feeling adventurous, it might come and sniff your hand.

Try picking your guinea pig up.

Once it seems more used to your presence, entice it into a corner of its cage. Placing one hand under its belly, and your other hand under its rear end, gently pick it up. Alternatively, wrap one hand around its shoulders, and place your other hand under its rear end. Hold it against your chest and talk softly to it.

Once it seems more used to your presence, entice it into a corner of its cage.
Placing one hand under its belly, and your other hand under its rear end, gently pick it up.
Alternatively, wrap one hand around its shoulders, and place your other hand under its rear end.
Hold it against your chest and talk softly to it.
Once it seems more used to your presence, entice it into a corner of its cage.

Part 3

Having Fun with Your Guinea Pig

Offer your guinea pig lots of treats.

Especially during the first few weeks, when you are trying to get your guinea pig used to you, treats can reward it and help it feel comfortable. Whenever you try to get near your guinea pig or pick it up, offer it a treat. However, don’t try to “trick” it into being picked up by offering it a treat, as this can cause it to distrust you. Good choices for snacks include:

Especially during the first few weeks, when you are trying to get your guinea pig used to you, treats can reward it and help it feel comfortable.
Whenever you try to get near your guinea pig or pick it up, offer it a treat.
However, don’t try to “trick” it into being picked up by offering it a treat, as this can cause it to distrust you.
Good choices for snacks include:
Especially during the first few weeks, when you are trying to get your guinea pig used to you, treats can reward it and help it feel comfortable.

Give your indoor guinea pig some play time.

Outdoor guinea pigs may have larger cages and more space to run around. If your guinea pig stays indoors and is well-tamed, then you can periodically let it have some free time, too. Look for a room that is free from holes or openings (so your guinea pig won’t accidentally escape), and where your guinea pig will be safe from harm (there are no cords or plastic that can be chewed, for instance). As long as you supervise, your guinea pig will benefit from the chance to run around the room and get some exercise.

Outdoor guinea pigs may have larger cages and more space to run around.
If your guinea pig stays indoors and is well-tamed, then you can periodically let it have some free time, too.
Look for a room that is free from holes or openings (so your guinea pig won’t accidentally escape), and where your guinea pig will be safe from harm (there are no cords or plastic that can be chewed, for instance).
As long as you supervise, your guinea pig will benefit from the chance to run around the room and get some exercise.
Outdoor guinea pigs may have larger cages and more space to run around.

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