Do Guinea Pigs Like to Be Held? How To Pick Up Your Pig

No, not all guinea pigs like to be picked up.  

As prey animals in the wild, it’s in their nature to feel scared if they’re handled by someone larger. In their mind, your hands are equal to a potential predator. 

“Whether guinea pigs like to be handled or not depends entirely upon how much that guinea pig has been socialized,” says Teresa Bradley Bays, DVM, a veterinarian and the owner of 4 Paws Rejuvenation in Belton, Missouri. “Socializing to handling occurs best when guinea pigs are young and handled often and gently.” 

Saskia Chiesa, founder and director of Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue in Los Angeles, echoes this sentiment. 

“Of course, they all have their own personalities, so it could be that there might be a guinea pig who just isn’t that into connecting with the human,” she says. “But I’ve found that fear [of being handled] is the biggest factor.” 

The best solution is to get your pig to be more tolerant of (and maybe even look forward to) this interaction. 

Guinea pigs who are less socialized can learn to trust interaction and handling if attempts are made slowly, Dr. Bradley Bays says. 

Here are some ways to gain your pig’s trust.  

• Show your pig your hand so they know you’re there. Then use one finger to gently stroke the top of their head. Many pigs also enjoy neck or ear rubs.  
• Hand-feed guinea-pig-friendly foods or treats, like small pieces of greens or a tiny bit of baby carrot, by allowing them to come to you for the food. You can also try popular treat options like Oxbow Simple Rewards bell pepper treats or Small Pet Select pea flakes. 
• Once they’re comfortable being picked up, place them in your lap and gently pet them. 
• Sit or lie with your guinea pig on the floor. Talk to them softly and offer your hand to sniff. You can try this in a large playpen to make it a bit easier.  
• After a few days to weeks, slowly stand up while holding them so they feel secure. 
• If your guinea pig is struggling with being held, place one hand over their eyes while keeping the other hand scooped under their bottom and holding them against your chest. Then, kneel slowly and place them on the floor or into their enclosure.  
• Begin with short sessions and gradually increase the amount of time you’re interacting for as long as they’re comfortable. You can also wrap them in a light blanket to help them feel extra-safe.  

A guinea pig’s body language, vocalizations, and behavior will communicate whether they want to be held. 

Some signs that your guinea pig doesn’t want to be held include: 

• Running away or trying to escape  
• Hiding 
• Vocalizing (for example, squealing loudly) 
• Tenseness  
• Squirming  

Signs that your guinea pig may want to be held include: 

• Approaching you 
• Coming up to the front of their habitat 
• Begging for treats 
• Eating from your hand 

Whether you want to pick up your pig for a nail trim or just to show them some love, it’s important that you’ve established a level of trust first.   

Then try these steps: 

1. Position yourself close to the floor so that your guinea pig won’t fall from a great height if they squirm away. Try using a small, light blanket to swaddle them so they feel safer.  
2. Scoop one hand underneath your guinea pig’s rear legs while using the other hand to cup their chest just behind their front legs. 
3. As you pick them up, continue to support their bum and chest with your hands, but avoid squeezing them.   
4. Immediately press them gently to your chest to help them feel safe and supported.  
5. Position their rump slightly lower than the rest of their body. 
6. If your guinea pig starts to squirm, gently adjust the position of your hands until your pig feels well-supported but not restrained.  

If you’re holding your pig to give them a bottom bath or to do a nail trim, you’ll probably need someone to help you out. In that case, cradle your pig’s rump in the palm of one hand while holding them under the front legs with the other hand. This is known as the “C” position.  

Never hold a guinea pig upside down or on their back. This frightens them and can lead to severe distress or injury.  

If your guinea pig runs away from handling or squeaks loudly when handled—especially if they didn’t before—see an exotic vet to check for a medical condition, like arthritis or a mite infestation, that makes handling painful.  

And if your guinea pig decides they don’t like to be handled in general, don’t force it. Handling a terrified pig will cause stress that can lead to mishaps such as biting, jumping out of your arms, and injuring themselves. 

You can still have a great bond with your pet, even if it’s more hands-off.  

Do guinea pigs like to be pet? 

Generally, yes. Guinea pigs like to be pet if they’re used to it and trust you. It’s best to socialize your guinea pig early on to get them used to gentle interactions. 

Are guinea pigs affectionate? 

Sometimes. Guinea pigs can be affectionate when they’re regularly handled and given more opportunities to bond with their pet parent. However, some pigs might prefer to be more independent.  

How often should you hold your guinea pig? 

If your guinea pig enjoys being held, do it every day. And if they don’t want to be held, they still need supervised time outside their enclosure.