How to hold a guinea pig

Do you know how to pick up a guinea pig? There are several DOs and DON’Ts when it comes to holding and handling these small, chatty animals so they learn to become your chilled-out companions who enjoy snuggling in a warm lap.

“Guinea pigs are prey animals and, until they’ve got to know and trust you, they’re likely to perceive you as a potential threat,” explains Burgess Pet Care’s in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes. “That’s why swooping down on them and trying to grab them will simply result in your piggies running away and trying to hide. It’s their in-built reaction to being approached by a predator. And, when you hold them, it’s essential that your guinea pigs feel safe and supported so they don’t become stressed.”

Getting your piggies used to being handled and held is a process that takes time. Our top tips can help you get it right.

Let your guinea pigs get to know you

• Guinea pigs have very good hearing so sit beside their enclosure and chat to them regularly with a calm and gentle tone, so they get to know your voice. If you offer some food and tasty treats during this relationship-building process, your pets will start to associate you with good things and will look forward to your visits and chats. If you start to hear some ‘wheek wheeks’ it reveals your piggies are excited about sensing your approach!
• Once your guinea pigs begin to hang around when you’re near them (rather than turning tail and hiding), try offering tasty titbits – such as slivers of bell peppers, a little parsley, spinach leaves or some nibbly Nature Snacks – for them to take from your hand. When your piggies are happily coming towards you and taking food from you, you’ll have made good progress. Your pets are beginning to recognise your sound and scent and understand that you can be trusted.

Try the slide and scoop

• The next step is to gently try and pick up one of your guinea pigs. Encourage your pet to come towards you by using the hand-feeding method – most piggies won’t be able to resist the chance to chomp on something tasty!
• Gently slide one hand underneath your guinea pig’s belly and use your other hand to scoop up their bottom and back legs so they feel supported.
• Next, bring your guinea pig close to your chest, continuing to support their bottom and back legs with one hand, moving your other hand to their back below their head so they feel secure. Keep a firm but gentle hold as guinea pigs can be quite wriggly and, if they feel scared, will try to make a run for it.
• Alternatively, you can cradle your guinea pig in your forearm, held against your body, with one hand on top of their back.

Keep it on the down low

• Guinea pigs live on the ground so it’s understandable that being held high up makes them anxious. It’s best to sit down on the floor if you can when holding your guinea pigs so, if they do wriggle their way out of your arms, they won’t fall from a height. Guinea pigs have stout bodies on short legs with a fragile spine and cannot right themselves the way a cat does, so falls from a height can cause traumatic injuries.
• What’s more, if you’re both at ground level, it provides your pet with the opportunity to stretch their little legs and explore if they want to. Providing some tunnels to dart in and out of will give your piggies some options to retreat to – they love to observe what’s going on from a safe space.
• Putting a fleecy blanket or towel on your lap will give your guinea pig a comfy, cosy place to settle in while you gently stroke them – and will mop up any little accidents.

This works a treat 

• Most guinea pigs will soon become happy lap loungers if you provide them with something good to munch on – such as a hay bar or grass-based treats. You may hear purrs and feel some little vibrations, which reveal your piggy is feeling relaxed and is enjoying the attention.
• You could also supply a forage tray for them to investigate. Simply fill a shallow box with a pile of tasty feeding hay and sprinkle in some yummy guinea pig nuggets and a forage mix – it’s piggy snack-time gold and will add to your pet’s feelgood experience when they’re hanging out with you.

What should I feed my guinea pigs? Follow our 5-step guide >> 

Guinea pig handling DOs and DON’Ts

• DO wash your hands before and after handling animals to protect your guinea pig from any bacteria that may cause them harm. Humans can pass common bacterial strains to guinea pigs which can lead to severe respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and abscesses.
• DO choose a quiet calm space to handle your guinea pigs in where they won’t get stressed by loud noises or sudden movements. 
• DO ensure your guinea pig is wide awake before you try to pick them up. Piggies are awake for up to 20 hours a day but enjoy regular naps. A startled, sleepy guinea pig may panic at your approach, so only handle them when they’re active.
• DON’T let other pets, such as cats and dogs, into the area where you’re handling your guinea pigs – if other pets in your household become interested and start sniffing around them, your piggies will get very scared!
• DON’T chase your guinea pigs round their enclosure to try and capture them as this will only serve to reinforce that you’re something to be wary of. If you have really timid piggies, try using a fleece hidey or tunnel to pick them up in when they run inside for cover. Once you are sitting down, you can gently remove it and reward them with some treats for being brave and to show that good things happen when they sit on your lap.
• DO supervise children closely to ensure your guinea pigs don’t get squeezed or dropped and never allow a child to carry or walk around with a guinea pig in their arms. Instead, encourage kids to sit on the floor with a blanket on their lap for the guinea pig to sit on. This ensures that if your guinea pig decides to make a run for it, there’s no risk of an injury caused by falling. 
• DON’T ever lift your guinea pigs by the scruff of the neck, the legs, or the middle of their body and never lay them down on their back or upside down as they’ll find this terrifying (their instincts tell them this means they are about to be eaten). Never recline your guinea pig so they’re sitting on their bottom – this position is very uncomfortable for them. Also don’t hold them with just one hand just under their front arms – this doesn’t support their bottom which makes guinea pigs extremely stressed. Always use both hands.
• DO learn to read the signs that your guinea pigs have had enough lap time – wriggling, teeth chattering, whining or shrieking noises, or attempting to hide their head under your arm all signal that they’d like to return to the safety of their enclosure. Start with short sessions and, as your guinea pigs get more used to being handled and held, they’ll happily sit with you for longer. 

What’s the secret to healthy, happy guinea pigs? Try seeing things from a piggy perspective >> 

*  While it’s lovely for children to enjoy the company of guinea pigs, the responsibility for any animal’s wellbeing lies with adults. Small animals are often more complex to feed and care for than a cat or dog and require more looking after than a child can offer. *

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SERVE UP ONLY THE VERY BEST DINNER FOR YOUR GORGEOUS GUINEA PIGS!

Guinea pigs deserve a high-quality diet that’s created just for them. At Burgess, all our food for guinea pigs is made at our factory in the heart of Yorkshire, using only ingredients that meet our stringent specifications.

With a long tradition of supporting British farmers, we actively source all our ingredients as close to our mill as possible and have launched many innovations. These include the world’s first indoor guinea pig nuggets, which are made with a calm formula. And, as well as a choice of yummy Nuggets with Mint or Blackcurrant & Oregano, there’s also a variety for mature guinea pigs with cranberry and mint. 

Don’t forget to check out our range of tasty, high-quality feeding hay and nutritious and delicious healthy treats, which are perfect for handfeeding and mixing with hay for a fabulous foraging experience!

*It’s no surprise that 92% of UK vets recommend our Burgess Excel small pets range!*

And, with a whole host of five-star reviews, Burgess Excel customers who have purchased our guinea pig nuggets and hay have told us: 

* “Our guinea pigs love this hay!” * “My guinea girls love to munch on this every day. I love their little squeaks of delight when it is given to them and their excited hops around it to find the best bits to eat first!” * “First time using this hay, and my 4 guinea pigs absolutely love it. They have hay in a tray that they are able to graze in, but they love this hay in their hay rack.” * “This herbage is clearly high quality, with lovely whole pieces of dandelion and marigold. A fantastic product for small pets.” * “I've tried other mixes, but this one is the best in terms of quality and how much my small animals enjoy it.” * Great product my guinea pigs love this and won’t eat any other pellets now. * My guinea pigs love this – Burgess is such a good brand and made in the UK which is another benefit. * “My guineas love the blackcurrant version.” * “My guinea pigs prefer these to anything else. I supplement them with greens and hay, but they can’t get enough of these nuggets.” * “Although I haven't tasted these myself, I can say that my guinea pigs seem to find these very tasty!” *

NEED SOME EXPERT GUINEA PIG FEEDING TIPS?

If you are at all unsure about the best way of feeding your guinea pigs or have any concerns about specific nutritional requirements, ask your local veterinary practice for advice. You can also call our expert team on 44 (0)0800 413 969, who’ll be happy to help. They’re available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, drop us a message.

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for all your guinea pigs from Burgess, the pet experts. Health, housing, feeding, companionship and guinea pig behaviour. It’s all here >> 

And why not join the Burgess Pet Club? Sign up for exclusive offers, competitions and expert advice from our in-house vet, Dr Suzanne Moyes.