Do guinea pigs like to be handled if tamed properly?

[OkieChickenGal]

Hi all,
are there guinea pigs that enjoy to be handled if tamed properly? Do rabbits tend to be friendlier?

 

[HuffleClaw]

@Nats Chickens

 

[Nats Chickens]

Hi all,
are there guinea pigs that enjoy to be handled if tamed properly? Do rabbits tend to be friendlier?

@Nats Chickens

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.

 

[Nats Chickens]

Oh yes, rabbits are friendlier, we once pet sat a very adorable tame rabbit (Dangerous Brian, that was his name, he was grey with white paws and tummy, very cute, very friendly, very fierce, apparently) for a few months, they still need to be tamed and treated gently, but I believe they warm up to humans quicker.
But, I am not sure if this is for the USA, UK or EU or anywhere else (it would be good to check) You need to get them vaccinated against goverment released viruses to control the wild population, which can ad up to over $100 dollars (AUSD) a year per rabbit.

I hope this helped!

 

[Skye'sDucks]

My sister had two guinea pigs, and they were the same as my rabbits: hated to be grabbed from the cage, but once held, they enjoyed it. We would give the guinea pig a treat when we took them out and they'd calm down and enjoyed being brushed or petted. Pixie was one of their names and she was so sweet. I liked to put her up by my shoulder and she'd burrow into my hair and enjoy sitting there.

I think it may differ with each guinea pig. With my rabbits I have one real grumpy one that can't sit still on my lap. He doesn't really like snuggling (except on the rare occasion I can get him to calm down) at all and likes it better when I let him roam our living room floor instead. My other rabbit, however, is a total sweetheart and will lay on my lap for hours if I let her or likes to flop down near or against me on my bed while I read a book.

In my experience our guinea pigs enjoyed being held, just not grabbed. I think most piggies and rabbits are the same. I had one exception--a rabbit I had that died wouldn't run at all when I nabbed him from the cage. I could even safely scoop him up with one hand (but briefly before bracing him with both), he was just that chill.

I think it largely depends on the individual pig. Each animal has a unique personality.