How to Hold a Guinea Pig

Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Last Updated: November 26, 2023 Approved

Small, adorable, lots of personality—these are just a few of the things that make guinea pigs such wonderful pets. You’re probably really excited to hold and cuddle with your new guinea pig, but you might not know where to start. This wikiHow is here to help! We’ll show you how to bond with your guinea pig, pick them up gently, and make them feel comfortable when you hold them. Before you know it, your guinea pig will be your new best friend.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

How to Pick Up Your Guinea Pig

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Cover your guinea pig's cage with a light blanket that still lets in light. This will help your guinea pig feel safer and more secure while they're adjusting to their new home. After that, you can move on to introducing yourself.^{[1]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

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It's best not to take your guinea pig out of their cage right away. Instead, take a few days to let them get to know you. Put your hand in the cage, and let them smell you. Softly stroke your guinea pig so they learn to trust you.^{[2]
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If you're worried about your clothes, have a towel available to put under your guinea pig while holding them. Your guinea pig may not go to the bathroom while on you, but it's better to be prepared.^{[3]
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Be calm. You might be feeling a little nervous, but try your best to stay calm around your guinea pig since they'll pick up on your emotions. Make sure you are calm and collected before you try to hold your guinea pig.
- Take a moment to take a few calming breaths before approaching the cage.
- Also, keep the environment calm. Limit loud noises and sudden movements while your guinea pig is out. You don't want to startle them. For instance, turn off the television and the radio. Turn off your phone so it doesn't go off while you have them out.
Tip: When approaching the cage, do so slowly and calmly. Avoid rushing and yanking it open. Instead, walk up slowly, and let your guinea pig smell you through the cage. Gently open the door.
5
Use the cage to your advantage. To catch your guinea pig, you need to gently trap them in the cage. One easy way to catch them is to trap them in one of the cage's pipes, if yours has pipes, and then pull them out. Put your hand out to encourage your guinea pig into the pipe, making sure to block the other side.
- If your cage doesn't have pipes, try guiding your guinea pig into their house, and then lifting one edge to pick up your guinea pig.
- If your guinea pig seems very upset or tries to bite you, you should wait until another day to try picking your guinea pig up.
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Slip one hand under your guinea pig. Using one hand, slide it under the belly of your guinea pig. Gently start lifting them.^{[4]
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- Put a finger around the front of one of your guinea pig's legs. That hold will help keep them in your hands.^{[5]
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Your guinea pig will feel more secure if you use both hands to pick them up. They may feel like they're falling if you only pick them up with one hand.^{[6]
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Be firm but gentle. Make sure you have a solid grip on your guinea pig. Otherwise, they may jump from your hands. However, don't squeeze too hard, as you can hurt your guinea pig.^{[7]
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- Though you can move around while holding your guinea pig, it's best to sit down while holding them. That way, they won't be confused by your movement, and you're less likely to drop them.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

How to Hold Your Guinea Pig

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Your towel should be on your chest. Hold them against your chest with their feet towards your body.^{[8]
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You can use blueberries, lettuce, or carrots, for instance. If you feed them a treat while you hold them, they'll come to associate your cuddles with good things.
Use a soothing voice to talk to your guinea pig while you're holding them. It doesn't matter what you say, as long as you use a soothing voice.^{[9]
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For instance, you can go into the bathroom with your guinea pig. Make sure there is nothing they can get into that they shouldn't (such as cleaning supplies). Also, make sure you cover any potential dangers, such as floor vents. Close the door. Place them on the floor, and let them run around. They'll enjoy exploring, and they'll also take some time getting to know you, too. If you want, sit on the floor with them.
If you put them down every time they struggle, they'll learn that all they have to do is wiggle to get back in their cage. If you continue to hold them, they'll learn to stay calm.^{[10]
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Hold your guinea pig firmly when returning them. As your guinea pig sees the cage, they may want to jump, so keep a firm hold on them with both hands when placing them back in the cage.^{[11]
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- Wait to release them from your hand until they stop struggling. That way, they learn that they shouldn't squirm while you're holding them.^{[13]
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Tip: In fact, you can turn them around, bottom first, when setting them back in the cage if they're particularly prone to jumping.^{[12]
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Get your guinea pig out of their cage every day. That way, they'll slowly grow used to your attention over time and will eventually enjoy the cuddle time.

Part 3

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How to Help Children Handle Guinea Pigs

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1
Always watch your children with guinea pigs. Children can harm guinea pigs without meaning to. If the child is under 4 years of age, don't allow her to hold the pet. Hold the guinea pig for her, and allow her to pet the animal.^{[14]
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- That is, practice safe holding practices, and let your child come up and gently pet the guinea pig while you have them against your chest. If you allow your child to hold the guinea pig, tell him how to hold them, and make sure he is not holding them too tightly or too loosely.
Children over four may be tempted to carry guinea pigs from room to room. However, if they're not careful, guinea pigs can jump from their hands and hurt themselves.^{[15]
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The safest way for a child to hold a guinea pig is to be sitting on the ground. That way, the child can't carry the guinea pig around, and the animal isn't too far from the ground if your child happens to drop it.^{[16]
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Tip: For best results, ask your child to sit down and then hand the guinea pig to him or her to hold.
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Limit the guinea pig to one person each time. That is, only let one person hold the guinea pig each time you get them out of the cage, especially if that person is a child. Guinea pigs are overly sensitive to being held, so limiting their exposure will keep them happier.
- You can hand the guinea pig to a child, but only let one child hold it. If another child wants to hold them, wait until another day.
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Lock the cage. Children may be tempted to pull a guinea pig out when you're not around, resulting in the guinea pig being unintentionally hurt. Keep the cage locked so that children don't have access to the pet when you're not in the room.^{[17]
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- You can use a combination lock or a key lock, but close up the main gate with a lock if possible.

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What does it mean when the guinea pig makes a strange churtling sound when they're being held?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Guinea pigs have a wide and enchanting range of vocal signals. Most alarm calls are high pitched, such as the "Weep weep" alarm call. At the opposite end of the tonal range they have a low, almost growling sound which is also associated with distress. However, sounds such as purring, wheeking, and churtling are usually signs the guinea pig is happy, content, or hungry!

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I hold my guinea pig correctly, and yet he scratches my wrist when I put him down. What should I do?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Have someone video you as you put the guinea pig down, and see if you can spot how to make him feel safer. The guinea pig may well be scrabbling because he feels unsafe. If there doesn't seem to be a problem, place a soft towel over his head, which should help him stay calm as you lower him. Also, ask a vet tech to check that his claws aren't too long.

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Can a guinea pig live up to 10 years old?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Unfortunately this is unlikely. With good care and a healthy diet, the maximum age for a guinea pig is around eight years, with anywhere from 4 - 5 years upwards considered a good age for a guinea pig.

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Keep the door to the room closed when you take your pet out of the cage. If your guinea pig gets loose, you can keep them contained in the room. Also, try locking out any other pets, such as cats and dogs.

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