is there anything we can do to make him trust us ? he will let us pet him in the cage and will eat treats we hold for him .but if you try to hold him he freaks out .
Answers:
It could be mites. Read up on the following article, and seek medical advice from a professional exotic vet. You may notice the biting, excessive scratching and scurfing (looks like dandruff) which leads to thinning/patching loss of hair. Treatment will involve 2 or more doses spaced 7-10 days apart of Ivermectin. Without treatment it can actually lead to death.
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html...
Now, if after seeing a vet the problem does not settle down, do not despair. Building a relationship with a guinea pig takes time and alot of patience. Cuddle your guinea pig in a towel (especially if he is biting) each day for app 10 minutes, with treats (like vegetables) available. Floor time should also be done each day for app 1 hour, this way your piggy gets the exercise he needs.
I also want to address the size of his cage, it should be at least 7.5sq ft. Guinea pigs are herd animals by nature, thus why they should be housed in groups of 2 or more, they are extremely social. You can have cuddles and what not but in the end you are not there like a cage mate would be. 2 guinea pigs need a 10.5sq ft cage, more considering they are boys. I would adopt an older guinea pig, for the best chances of getting along. Have a look through the following site for cage ideas:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/index.htm...
Don't worry would be my advise. I have had Guinea Pigs, and they just tend to be very nervous. Even if he freaks out, you should still hold him and pet him a lot. It is the only way he will get calmer.
Guinea Pigs tend to be nervous until they get older. Try holding his favorite treat in you lap when you hold him.
keep on taking him out and if your really worried see the vet
Just keep hand-feeding him treats, and petting him.
He just needs to learn that the human hand is nothing to fear.
Also you may want to try talking to him in a calm, quiet, soothing voice so he can learn that the voice isn't anything to fear also.
Put some treats in the palm of your hand. Let the guinea pig walk onto your hand, then pick him up.
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