Hi all,
are there guinea pigs that enjoy to be handled if tamed properly? Do rabbits tend to be friendlier?
Guinea pigs are prey animals, which means they have a flight response to anything that spooks them. even the most tame guinea pigs, like my younger sister's (Ruby) will skedaddle if alarmed. they have very poor eyesight, which means anything they can't see properly that moves above them, tends to send them running, the signs of a tame guinea pig then are they come when you call them or hear you coming (Mine respond to a high pitched "Wick! Wick!", but not too high pitched) and feed out f your hand. some like chin rubs too, but most don't like to be touched on the top of the head or the body.
A guinea pig will not enjoy being picked up (this can involve chasing them around the cage) but some, I think, do enjoy being held, as long as they feel safe and have a large supply of fresh grass on hand. If they are 'bug-eyed', or wheeking very loudly, they are not enjoying it at all but are quite frightened. But if they seem relaxed, and are tucking into the grass, (If you live in an apartment and don't have access to grass, lettuce sort, of works, but grass is better. Consider growing some in a container) Then rub their chin or scratch them VERY gently but firmly behind the ear. Some guinea pigs like being held more than others, take Ruby: To catch her, you need to chase her all around the cage and corner her before scooping her up, she may be a bit indignantly vocal too. But once you have her and offer her the mountain of grass, she calms right down, flakes out on your lap, and starts eating as fast as she possibly can (I think she suspects that if she doesn't hurry up and scoff it all, she will be made to share with the other 4 guinea pigs {all female} )
Note: Wheeking if you are not chasing them, means they are hungry and would like you to feed them.
PS: Try not to stress them out by chasing them in hot weather, obviously you still need to health check them weekly, but try to do it in the early morning or late afternoon, guinea pigs are very prone to heat-stress.
PPS: Good luck!
NB: There are lots of good guinea pig taming and care videos on YouTube, try 'Little Adventures', I found that one very helpful.