June 26, 2024, 6:02 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Rabbits and guinea pigs first need to get accustomed to people before they even dare to come close. However, this shyness disappears after a while if owners pay attention to their pet’s body language.
Few animals are kept as inappropriately as rabbits and guinea pigs. Time and time again, you read that these sensitive small animals are the ideal “starter pets,” especially for children. However, there is a change of thinking among pet owners now. Rabbits and guinea pigs are actually very shy escape animals, but with patience, you can get them accustomed to people.
Just observe them at first
Give shy pets time. If you have a new or particularly shy pet, you should first sit at the edge of the enclosure and simply observe them. This is the advice of the Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf (IVH).
The next step is to make contact. Before you do this, Dunia Thiesen-Moussa, veterinary specialist for animal behavior, advises rubbing your hands with a small amount of used animal litter. This creates a familiar smell. Treats are also helpful. Guinea pigs and rabbits like to be persuaded into the unknown with an offering of fresh food.
To get rabbits and guinea pigs accustomed to people, you must recognize stress
It is important not to be intrusive and to pay attention to the animal’s signs of stress.
In rabbits, these signs are typical:
- crouching posture with laid-back ears and protruding eyeballs
- excessive coat grooming
- restrained movement or even motionlessness
- low intake of food and water
Guinea pigs react like this when they are stressed:
- looking startled
- freezing with their eyes wide open
- raising their head in a threatening gesture
- squeaking and cooing
Never harass the animals
Rabbits and guinea pigs, which are accustomed to and not stressed by the presence of humans, are calm. They breathe evenly and continue to gradually explore their surroundings. If this is the case, you can initially allow them to run free in the home. Rabbits, in particular, need this freedom to feel comfortable.
At this point, you can try to win them over with treats. Guinea pigs and rabbits like cucumbers, so you can offer those as a reward. If they accept them, you can later introduce their main foods: hay or fresh greens. These foods will help get them accustomed to the presence of humans.
As long as the pets remain calm and show relaxed behavior, their training can be gradually increased. Start by letting them sniff you, and then try stroking them. Some rabbits and guinea pigs respond so well to this that they eventually sit on your lap.
More than just squeaking The different sounds of guinea pigs and what they mean
Tips and tricks How to get your pets through stormy days
Not for cuddling Why you shouldn’t buy a hamster for your child
Never deprive rabbits and guinea pigs of the possibility of retreat
Important: Continue to take things slow. “Touching should only take place when the animal approaches humans on its own,” says vet Thiesen-Moussa. You should be particularly careful with guinea pigs. They are not cuddly animals, and they generally try to avoid being touched.
One piece of advice: guinea pigs and rabbits should never be removed from their cages against their will, even if they are tame. If they are hiding, you should never lift the cage and strip them out of it.
If it is essential for the pet to leave the cage – for example, for a visit to the vet – it is best to remove them with the cage.
It is important to make sure they still feel like they have ground under their feet. Nothing stresses rabbits or guinea pigs more than not being able to escape. In the wild, their lives would surely come to an end if they remained in the air. Owners should keep this in mind and never hold their pets up in the air, even for cute photos.
With material from dpa