subject: 3 Tips For Handling Cavies [print this page] Guinea pigs make perfect pets for several reasons. Perhaps the biggest one is the fact that they love to be petted and handled. This makes them very enjoyable, rewarding animals to own.
Here are 3 bits of advice that you must follow whenever holding your cavies:
1. Keep Them Safe
A great thing about guinea pigs is that they are much happier to sit and be petted than many other small animals such as hamsters and mice. Having said that, from time to time they will attempt to jump out of your hands, and this can lead to you dropping them. Obviously, this has the potential to be harmful to your pet's fragile body.
Never carry your guinea pig whilst standing upright. Dropping your guinea pig from this height has the potential to cause serious injuries including broken bones. Always keep them near to the ground or a table, and move around by walking on your knees, so that if they do fall, they won't fall far.
2. Help Children Handle Them Safely
Cavies make great pets for children due to the fact that they are relatively undemanding look after, and absolutely enjoy being stroked and petted. However, because of their size, young children may have difficulty holding them.
If this is the case in your family, it is usually a better idea if an adult handles the animal, while allowing the child to stroke it. This lets the child have some quality time with their guinea pigs but without the risk of dropping them.
3. Put Them Back When They're Tired
Guinea pigs are generally quite docile creatures, and are perfectly content to sit on your lap being stroked for hours at a time. However, they do eventually become tired and want to go back in their cage to have some time to themselves.
You might find that your animal's attitude will change from docile and quiet to slightly agitated. For example, they might attempt to escape your grip or jump onto the ground. When this happens it is essential to put them back in their home.
