#7:23 Pongo is very sure that this paper is delicious lettuce with a great crunch! Such a great way to explain piggies and their behaviours, it's so heart warming and sweet 🐹❤️🔥.
1) Keep the cages clean. Nothing dampens a guinea pig's mood faster than a dirty cage. As soon as you notice him avoiding his favorite areas, it's time to clean the cage. My pig gets so happy and purrs enthusiastically and nuzzles next to me as I sit down next to the cage and shovel out all the used pine shavings into a giant bag, then go and give the cage a good rinse. 2) Know which petting they like and dislike. My pig loves nose scratches, but he absolutely hates scratches under his chin for some reason and will in no uncertain terms let this be known. Frequent 'upward head nods' are also an indication that you're not doing something they like. Pancake position means and/or the pig casually cleaning himself means it's all good. 3) Know when to end the petting. Guinea pigs aren't cats. 15 mins max. As soon as they start getting restless all of a sudden after a period of calm is the time to take them back to the cage. They don't want to pee on you, but they absolutely will if there's no other option. 4) Do not cut nails close to the tip. Anything even within 1mm or so will cause pain and stress for the pig. No pig likes getting their nails done, to them it's like a trip to the dentist is for us, but a built up trust that the last three times they didn't squeal once and it was all good and didn't last long goes a long way in making it easier for everyone. 5) If possible put them in an area that is frequented with people. Don't put them in a corner of some room you visit once a day. Even when in a cage they are curious about their surroundings and a large sociable inflow of familiar people is best for them. 6) Never carry them belly up. That is their least favorite position and is not good for their back. 'Nuff said.
My piggies have really come out of their shells (all at different times, their own time). The time it takes to gain their trust is so well worth it to get to the stage where they come to you and get playful and cheeky with you. I love piggies so much. Thanks for another great video Scotty 😀
Bribes work quite well. If you always give your piggies some kind of veggie or treat when you pick them up, they go all Pavlov's dogs on you and start chewing loudly whenever you pick them up! They may still run from you, but once you have them, they calm down much faster knowing goodies are coming :)
This is YOUR BEST VIDEO ! I have been watching all of your videos including how to draw .. edit .. cages.. music ( which is absolutely a HUGE thing that makes my piggies happy .. they love Post Malone) I have my kit .. books and merch … HOWEVER…. This video should be the first video ALL Piggy owners should be required to watch especially when adopting from the rescue. I keep mine on the floor so my “equestrian piggy” can roam the room .. and getting down to their level is a must!! Talking to them in a calm voice and letting them sleep is HUGE! Learning how to handle them especially my Skinny Piggies.. they act more like baby kittens (in my humble opinion) than piggies.. I could go on but I’ve rambled on .. I apologize .. just LOVE this video and continue to learn from you Scotty & the others here in the comments! Thank you so much !!! 🤍🤍🐷🐷🍀🍀✨✨
i found that doing nose boops also helps to show them just because you there doesn't mean they are going to be picked up or attacked. it seems to help them tame faster
I love to climb into my piggies cage when I set it up for floor time. It may sound silly, but I like to read to them. I know they don't understand what I'm saying, but they seem to enjoy running around and climbing all over me. Here's a shameless plug for your book, but I enjoy reading Cage Mates to them. They like to look at the pictures.
when i had my old 6x6 floor cage i would dang near take naps in there (i could never do it for real cause i don't need the latest piggie sheek hair style) just lay down and watch as they beep beep all over the place a few would waddle into my cloths for a nap
My Fred Mertz likes his ears rubbed he closes his eyes he's so cute. And my Rosita she loves me she makes cute noises when I love her. Good Video scotty
One of my piggies will jump into my lap once she knows it's me sitting next to her..Just like a little lap dog! That is the trust I've earned and definitely took time, like you said in your video!
so when hubby and i had first gotten piggies we had heard that they don't get in your lap unless they really like/trust you... a couple months after getting them i was down on the floor doing floor time and turned to talk to my husband who was getting veggies when i felt something turned back and one of the 2 babies we had gotten had dang near run up not just into my lap but was in the process of stretching up paws on my chest nose in their air like she was threatening my life if i didn't get the veggie right that second. it cracked us up she is still once of the only ones that jumps into my lap and sits till veggies are gone before running off to terrorize another piggie lol.
Last month I asked my landlord if I could get guinea pigs. After explaining why (I miss having something to cuddle in my lap), she advised a tank over a cage! I quickly and gently explained to her no tank, how a cage would be better and I can get a 'high sided' cage to ensure the mess was reduced (She was expecting shavings I imagine). her biggest concern is if I can keep up with the maintenance, which is totally valid. So I do have approval to adopt piggies, but I'm not ready to QUITE yet. But at least I have permission so there's no heartbreak laster on. Also, can you imagine the weight and cost of a tank that's 8 square feet of space??
Have a reread through my free guinea pig care guide on my website. For a pair of piggies I would recommend no less than 10 square feet. Many people confuse the grids as a 2x4 is actually 10 ft because your standard C&C cage grid is 14 in
I remember doing what you said to my good boy GP I miss him so much sure I had him in my teens he was a big moment in my life if I ever get back into caring for guinea pigs again would be helpful to me
My boys are different personalities. My older one, Silent Bob, will enjoy cuddles for all about a minute before he starts trying to bite me. He has literally chewed holes in so many shirts (I have to wear long sleeved shirts) or else he bites my skin enough to draw blood. My younger one, Jay, enjoyed getting cuddled until I bonded him with Bob and now doesn’t like to be touched by me. When he does let me cuddle him, he enjoys it for a bit.
@@ScottysAnimalsAwesome! I hope its the one I mailed to them. Once they figure out the Human Remote Control its game on. I have, on rare occasions, had to bundle a cloth and put it under the bell so it wouldnt ring. But almost never.
One of my piggies has discovered the ecstasy of being BRUSHED. He melts into a flat pancake!! My piggies can see me at the kitchen sink and they think it’s always to wash veggies for them 🫣
Yes, I would start by googling them. You can find some pretty fancy ones already built but if you want to save lots of money you can order the organizing grid cubes and you can find coroplast AKA corrugated plastic at most home stores. But if you buy pre-built cages you can choose colors
Nini is like Pongo she chews notebook pages. I am scared today because I felt a lump on her this morning. She doesn't want me messing with her and I haven't been able to find it again but it was round. Hoping I am confusing her bone structure but I don't think so.
Ha ha! I thought I was the only one who did this...I use a scrunchie at the top and a hair tie at the bottom, now what to do with all the water bottle holders?.....🤔
Great video Scotty!❤❤
#7:23 Pongo is very sure that this paper is delicious lettuce with a great crunch! Such a great way to explain piggies and their behaviours, it's so heart warming and sweet 🐹❤️🔥.
Thank you Heather 😊
l have got gromit in a Guinea pig habitat plus and he loves it Scotty xx
1) Keep the cages clean. Nothing dampens a guinea pig's mood faster than a dirty cage. As soon as you notice him avoiding his favorite areas, it's time to clean the cage. My pig gets so happy and purrs enthusiastically and nuzzles next to me as I sit down next to the cage and shovel out all the used pine shavings into a giant bag, then go and give the cage a good rinse.
2) Know which petting they like and dislike. My pig loves nose scratches, but he absolutely hates scratches under his chin for some reason and will in no uncertain terms let this be known. Frequent 'upward head nods' are also an indication that you're not doing something they like. Pancake position means and/or the pig casually cleaning himself means it's all good.
3) Know when to end the petting. Guinea pigs aren't cats. 15 mins max. As soon as they start getting restless all of a sudden after a period of calm is the time to take them back to the cage. They don't want to pee on you, but they absolutely will if there's no other option.
4) Do not cut nails close to the tip. Anything even within 1mm or so will cause pain and stress for the pig. No pig likes getting their nails done, to them it's like a trip to the dentist is for us, but a built up trust that the last three times they didn't squeal once and it was all good and didn't last long goes a long way in making it easier for everyone.
5) If possible put them in an area that is frequented with people. Don't put them in a corner of some room you visit once a day. Even when in a cage they are curious about their surroundings and a large sociable inflow of familiar people is best for them.
6) Never carry them belly up. That is their least favorite position and is not good for their back. 'Nuff said.
Thank you for sharing these helpful tips
My piggies have really come out of their shells (all at different times, their own time). The time it takes to gain their trust is so well worth it to get to the stage where they come to you and get playful and cheeky with you. I love piggies so much. Thanks for another great video Scotty 😀
Bribes work quite well. If you always give your piggies some kind of veggie or treat when you pick them up, they go all Pavlov's dogs on you and start chewing loudly whenever you pick them up! They may still run from you, but once you have them, they calm down much faster knowing goodies are coming :)
Excellent point
This is YOUR BEST VIDEO ! I have been watching all of your videos including how to draw .. edit .. cages.. music ( which is absolutely a HUGE thing that makes my piggies happy .. they love Post Malone) I have my kit .. books and merch … HOWEVER….
This video should be the first video ALL Piggy owners should be required to watch especially when adopting from the rescue. I keep mine on the floor so my “equestrian piggy” can roam the room .. and getting down to their level is a must!! Talking to them in a calm voice and letting them sleep is HUGE! Learning how to handle them especially my Skinny Piggies.. they act more like baby kittens (in my humble opinion) than piggies.. I could go on but I’ve rambled on .. I apologize .. just LOVE this video and continue to learn from you Scotty & the others here in the comments! Thank you so much !!! 🤍🤍🐷🐷🍀🍀✨✨
i found that doing nose boops also helps to show them just because you there doesn't mean they are going to be picked up or attacked. it seems to help them tame faster
I love to climb into my piggies cage when I set it up for floor time. It may sound silly, but I like to read to them. I know they don't understand what I'm saying, but they seem to enjoy running around and climbing all over me. Here's a shameless plug for your book, but I enjoy reading Cage Mates to them. They like to look at the pictures.
when i had my old 6x6 floor cage i would dang near take naps in there (i could never do it for real cause i don't need the latest piggie sheek hair style) just lay down and watch as they beep beep all over the place a few would waddle into my cloths for a nap
My Fred Mertz likes his ears rubbed he closes his eyes he's so cute. And my Rosita she loves me she makes cute noises when I love her. Good Video scotty
Do you still have Lucy, Ricky, and Babaloo?
Cheeky Pongo, snacking on your notes 😂
Don't encourage him!
Hilarious! lol
One of my piggies will jump into my lap once she knows it's me sitting next to her..Just like a little lap dog! That is the trust I've earned and definitely took time, like you said in your video!
so when hubby and i had first gotten piggies we had heard that they don't get in your lap unless they really like/trust you... a couple months after getting them i was down on the floor doing floor time and turned to talk to my husband who was getting veggies when i felt something turned back and one of the 2 babies we had gotten had dang near run up not just into my lap but was in the process of stretching up paws on my chest nose in their air like she was threatening my life if i didn't get the veggie right that second. it cracked us up she is still once of the only ones that jumps into my lap and sits till veggies are gone before running off to terrorize another piggie lol.
Thank you for the advice scotty 🎉
Thank you for all of your support, Sharon
And thank you for all the advice you have given us Guinea pig owners I would’ve been lost without advice from you and Saskia
Great advice, as usual, Scotty 👍 ❤✨️
Last month I asked my landlord if I could get guinea pigs. After explaining why (I miss having something to cuddle in my lap), she advised a tank over a cage! I quickly and gently explained to her no tank, how a cage would be better and I can get a 'high sided' cage to ensure the mess was reduced (She was expecting shavings I imagine). her biggest concern is if I can keep up with the maintenance, which is totally valid.
So I do have approval to adopt piggies, but I'm not ready to QUITE yet. But at least I have permission so there's no heartbreak laster on.
Also, can you imagine the weight and cost of a tank that's 8 square feet of space??
Have a reread through my free guinea pig care guide on my website. For a pair of piggies I would recommend no less than 10 square feet. Many people confuse the grids as a 2x4 is actually 10 ft because your standard C&C cage grid is 14 in
@ScottysAnimals oh I think I remember seeing the recommendations changed! I'll see what I can do I think I have enough grids. Thanks for the reminder!
I remember doing what you said to my good boy GP I miss him so much sure I had him in my teens he was a big moment in my life if I ever get back into caring for guinea pigs again would be helpful to me
My boys are different personalities. My older one, Silent Bob, will enjoy cuddles for all about a minute before he starts trying to bite me. He has literally chewed holes in so many shirts (I have to wear long sleeved shirts) or else he bites my skin enough to draw blood. My younger one, Jay, enjoyed getting cuddled until I bonded him with Bob and now doesn’t like to be touched by me. When he does let me cuddle him, he enjoys it for a bit.
And get your piggy a bell to ring to call you
I have some demo vids showing that
They installed one in the Buddha cage at the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue and things are getting out of hand
@@ScottysAnimalsAwesome! I hope its the one I mailed to them. Once they figure out the Human Remote Control its game on. I have, on rare occasions, had to bundle a cloth and put it under the bell so it wouldnt ring. But almost never.
Pongo: These notes are delicious! What kind of seasoning did you use?I detect a slight woody taste, but there's something else...😆
One of my piggies has discovered the ecstasy of being BRUSHED. He melts into a flat pancake!! My piggies can see me at the kitchen sink and they think it’s always to wash veggies for them 🫣
Where can I find a c&c cage ?I have a midwest cage so it's big enough for my piggie?Can you buy C&C cages already built ?
Yes, I would start by googling them. You can find some pretty fancy ones already built but if you want to save lots of money you can order the organizing grid cubes and you can find coroplast AKA corrugated plastic at most home stores. But if you buy pre-built cages you can choose colors
Nini is like Pongo she chews notebook pages. I am scared today because I felt a lump on her this morning. She doesn't want me messing with her and I haven't been able to find it again but it was round. Hoping I am confusing her bone structure but I don't think so.
Ha ha! I thought I was the only one who did this...I use a scrunchie at the top and a hair tie at the bottom, now what to do with all the water bottle holders?.....🤔
Just keep them in a drawer in the closet