To form a bond, always interact with your pig and socialize with them. Even pet pigs that have never touched mud may still enjoy playing in mud if given the chance because it has become part of their nature.If you’re interested to know more about why pigs roll in mud, we have a detailed article for you here. Indulge in shameless bribery. To gain their trust, you have to be patient and let them become familiar with you, your place and everything around them. Last Updated: August 9, 2019 One of the easiest ways to build trust with your guinea pig is to give food that they like which is healthy for them. Enjoy the site! Are you a new owner? Also, give them treats that they like as a reward for something or just because. % of people told us that this article helped them. When you pair up a young guinea pig with any other guinea pig (young or old), there is a chance that as the younger guinea pig goes through its adolescent period (3-5 months), they will challenge the other guinea pig for top guinea pig position. If possible, place your guinea pig’s cage in a room that can be completely shut off. Talk to them so that they recognize your voice, so that guinea pig will trust you. Some may even play hide and seek!However, do keep in mind that pigs have a sensitive nose and may not like being touched around that area! That said, no matter what type of cage you get, you will need a thick layer of bedding to protect your guinea pig's feet. Pigs are one of the most wonderful pets you can ever have! If you don’t know yet let me tell you a fact: Guinea pigs are fantastic listeners. Additionally, hand-feed it treats between meals, since guinea pigs bond with the person who feeds them. No worries, this article will guide you properly on how to bond with your pet pig! You can give it a shot!Extra fact —Pigs have poor eyesight and they are studied to have a dichromatic vision which means they only have two pigment cones that create colors. Therefore, they resort to rolling in mud in order to keep cool.The truth is, pigs would prefer water over mud but since they rarely have access to natural water, rolling in mud became part of a pig’s natural behavior. When you first start picking up your guinea pig, hold them from a seating position. Floor time is basically where you set up a guinea pig safe area (a foldable exercise pen is great for this purpose!) When your pig learns how to swim, you can turn this into a fun exercise or activity for both you and your pig! AREA: You want to introduce them in a neutral area, having washed any bedding, hideys (even plastic ones—you can wash them with a bit of Dawn soap and water), food bowls, etc. After that, try to start petting the guinea pig for increasingly longer periods. She can truly be an inspiration! If this happens at the show, your pig will be very difficult to show and for the judge to see. Arcadian Vision Ltd also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. So to help you, there will be more tips and points to remember as you read on. For the first few weeks, go ahead and give your mini pig … Approved. Bonding can also occur during simple things that we do for them. One of the best ways to bond with your guinea pig is simply showing them that they can trust you. So try to give them a balance of food with good nutritional content and food that they like that also tastes good. Using an indoor leash on your dog is one of the keys to housebreaking your dog, and can be a very useful tool for doing any training with your dog. They don't run or hide from you. Guinea pigs do not see directly in front of their noses, so being at least 5 inches away cuts down on the element of surprise and generates a true bond of trust between the two of you. This is called “rooting” and should not be confused with aggressive behavior. During this time, you can also begin to bond with your new piggy one on one. You just need patience. Now, these are just the common preference and your pig may also develop their personal tastes. Steps to letting guinea pigs settle into their new home By Ryan Johns on Unsplash. Pigs like to walk along fences and look for openings. Don't constantly have your guinea pig out of the cage. Guinea pigs may get their paws stuck and injure themselves if the floor of the cage is made of wire or mesh. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Try to teach the pig to stay away from the fence. Who knows, maybe your pig can become the next Pigcasso!Pigcasso can sell her paintings all over the world because of her tremendous skill that gained her popularity.When our pets are having fun, we feel happy inside too. By using our site, you agree to our. This may seem an odd thing to do but, trust me, it is very effective. Bonding—it’s such an intimidating topic.While it can be quite stressful and at times dangerous, bonding guinea pigs doesn’t have to be a daunting thing. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. How to bond with your pig? Try not to approach the guinea pig from behind. Quick movements will scare them. Talking in a soothing voice will help the guinea pig to recognize your presence. Talk to your guinea pigs. Are you a new owner? They might unintentionally retaliate to “hostility” by avoiding you and acting stubborn which is the exact opposite of what we want to do that is to bond with them. Then after a few days, hold it in your hand and see if the guinea pig will come closer to you. Consider using a blanket to carry your guinea pig. References They must be managed carefully to raise them properly.Even something as simple as raising your voice out of anger or frustration can affect your bond. When we clean them up by bathing them, give them water when they are thirsty, trim their hooves when necessary and taking them out on walks can also help build up your bond.See, these kind of things develop naturally and can only be boosted by other specific activities. To form a bond, always interact with your pig … To bond, even more, lay them on your chest as you speak softly to them. Guinea pigs love the taste of fresh vegetables, treats and hay, so it’s an easy win for you. Carefully monitor children as they handle the guinea pig. How to know if guinea pigs like you? She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. You should also look for cages made from easily cleanable materials, such as plastic. The only reason they roll in mud is to keep cool!Pigs would prefer water than mud but at first, they might not like baths. Place them straight into their new home; Do not attempt to pick them up or try to stroke them This is probably the most important to remember: not every guinea pig pair will get along! You can feed them in the morning, and your daughter in the evening. Rooting is completely normal among pigs and there is a good chance of forming bonds faster when you respond to their nudging by petting them or just by simply talking to them. Hand feed them small amounts of grass or lettuce while they sit on your lap. Every pig will have different, individual personalities. From there, you can build a strong bond with your new, adorable pet. Let them see you, and approach slowly. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. What are the natural behavior and traits of a domesticated pig? She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Form a Bond with your Guinea Pig. Sit next to your cavy as he or she runs and explores new areas; observe and get to know your little friend’s personality. Pigs are also one of the most sensitive or emotional animals you can come across with. Consider adding toys, such as balls, ramps, or cardboard tubes to provide entertainment for your guinea pig. They will tend to examine anything near them with their snouts (noses). He does, however, enjoy being grid-mates with Girzzly. 6 How NOT To Bond With Your Guinea Pig. Pigs are friends for life, they are lifetime worthy companions. So, while your pet is acclimating to their new surroundings, observe their natural tendencies and adjust your handling approach accordingly. Make sure you read the labels first; some have a lot of high fructose corn syrup and are full of empty calories. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. It’s important to know them to fully understand and grasp the comfort zone of your pig. Once they are familiar with you and their environment, they will be at ease and may willingly express themselves immediately. She is now a single pig, and, "It was a lovely article that told me how to bond with my piggy. However, as long as you get them used to it, they will eventually enjoy it. The way to a pig's heart is through their stomach, so veggie treats are … 4 How to Bond Tip #2: Never Underestimate the Power of Snacks. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. and give the guinea pig time to free roam outside of their cage. Even if animals can’t talk, a pig is smart and can possibly comprehend what you are telling them. Besides being an excellent way to keep your guinea pig engaged in its environment, floor time is a great time for you to bond with your pet. Over handling can lead to stress and make your pig sick or cause them to be nervous in your presence. Older guinea pigs tend to be more dominant, therefore they can have a great bond with your piggies. Along with a proper introduction, guinea pig cage size is one of the most important factors contributing to a lasting friendship. Bonding with your pot-bellied pig. Place a small towel or lap pad on your lap and put your guinea pig on top. Oxytocin plays a big part in guinea pig bonding behavior. Talk to them. Did you know that a pig is studied to have almost the same intelligence level as a 2 year old kid? Is it your first time raising a pig? Your pig may startle so hold securely and comfort the pig like you would a newborn baby, with a gentle voice, rocking, swaying, scratching the chin. Hand feeding will help your piggy associate you as a positive influence in their life. When your pig approaches you excitedly (wagging their tail, happy eyes and smiling faces) you can take it as a sign of playfulness.Young piglets especially will have a lot of energy to spare for play time. Spend some time sitting on the floor and let your mini pig come to you. I once … How to Bond with Your Guinea Pigs - YouTube. Oxytocin is a hormone that is created in the hypothalamus (in the brain), and then gets released by the pituitary gland (also in the brain) into the bloodstream where it travels throughout the body and acts on … bonding apparently helps ease anxiety. Pigs developed a natural liking towards mud because it is the easiest way for them to cool off. You should also create a play area for your pet by setting up boxes, ramps, and cardboard paper towel tubes. The only problem is if the animal would like them back.