Why is my Guinea Pig Scared of Me?

Getting a new pet guinea pig is a very exciting time. You buy the cage with all the decorations, and you can’t wait to interact with your new little fur ball. After your bring him/her home, you might notice that your guinea pig is scared of you.

This can involve your guinea big running away from you, or clenching up when you pet or hold them. They might also start squeaking.

This is completely normal, and there is no reason to panic. In today’s article, we will explain why guinea pigs can be scared of humans, and what to do to fix it.

Why is my guinea pig scared of me?

The main reason your guinea pig is scared of you is because of natural instincts, time to adapt, and overly aggressive behavior.

Natural Instincts

It is important to remember that in the wild, guinea pigs are at the bottom of the food chain. They spend most of their lives avoiding prey such as foxes, wolves, birds, and hawks. Therefore, over thousands of years they have evolved to be able to run away and hide very swiftly. They also stay alert at all times, which is why guinea pigs sleep with their eyes open.

This alertness is a defense mechanism that even domesticated guinea pigs still inherent. Whenever your guinea pig hears a noise, they might scurry away and hide. This is because they consider the noise to be a potential threat. Therefore, when you enter the room and they hear you, they might immediately run away and hide.

Time to adapt

Just like any animal, it may take a couple days or weeks for your guinea pig to adapt to its new environment. Imagine you were the guinea pig, and born in a pet shop with their siblings. Then you are separated from your mother and siblings, and then brought to a new home and a new cage. Obviously, it would take you some time to adjust to your new surroundings.

For this reason, it can take your guinea pig some time to feel comfortable enough to trust you and interact with you.

Overly aggressive behavior

Your guinea pig might also be afraid of you if you are too pushy in the beginning. You should give your guinea pig its space for the first couple days, and don’t be too touchy with it. You have to remember that you are a giant compared to the size of your guinea, and they might get scared when you reach your hand toward them.

What to do if your guinea pig is scared of you?

The most important thing to do if your guinea pig is scared of you is to give it a couple days. Let your guinea pig adapt to their new environment, and wait for them to feel comfortable with you.

As you start to feed them and they recognize that you are their caregiver, they will most likely start to trust you and be friendly. There are also some other techniques you can do to help your guinea pig open up.

For example, try to avoid making loud noises when you enter the room where they are located. Try to speak in a soft voice, and do not make any sudden movements. When you approach your guinea pig’s cage, make sure they clearly see you so that they don’t get startled.

You can also try hand feeding your guinea pig. This will help them get familiar with your hand and your scent.

Another option is to get another guinea pig. Guinea pigs that have a playmate are usually more outgoing, and will be less afraid of humans.