Domestic guinea pigs or cavies share many differences in appearance from their wild ancestors, but the behaviors are the same. Just as if they were still out in the wild, guinea pigs are always on the lookout for predators. The core personality of the guinea pig is geared to escaping predators. We can use this information to better understand our pet guinea pigs.
Safety In Numbers
Guinea pigs prefer to live in small herds or family units. More eyes mean more guinea pigs able to look out for dangerous predators. This means that guinea pigs need company of their own kind in order to feel relaxed and happy. Even two guinea pigs will form their own herd and take turns looking out for danger.
A relaxed, less stressful guinea pig is much easier to tame and makes for a healthier pet. Although you may try to substitute for company for your solitary guinea pig, there really is no substitution for another guinea pig, although not all guinea pigs will get along with other guinea pigs. Like people, guinea pigs make friends and enemies among themselves.
But even the sight, sounds and smell of another guinea pig close by can help relax both of the guinea pigs, if the guinea pigs fight when left together. You can place them in separate cages and place the cages next to each other.
Freezing In Place
When guinea pigs are presented with a new situation, they freeze. In the wild, many of their predators (especially birds) hunt by looking for movement. This means that taking your guinea pig to the vet tends to make the guinea pig freeze, with eye wide. The guinea pig then relaxes when it gets used to the situation.
This can also make guinea pigs favorite subjects among some photographers. The guinea pig can be placed in a new prop or dressed in a new outfit and they tend to stay still long enough for you to snap several shots before they relax and start wandering about.
Bolting
When all else fails, the guinea pig will panic and bolt to the nearest hiding place. In the wild, this hiding place would be a burrow. In the domesticated world, burrows can be under or behind furniture, under a pile of laundry or out the door and under a bush. Guinea pigs are incredibly fast sprinters, able of attaining full speed in just a couple of strides. Even if you’ve lived with the guinea pig for years, when they bolt, they are in a panic and will act as if they don’t recognize you.
You should talk softly and make slow, deliberate movements around guinea pigs so that they don’t bolt. If you’ve ever worked around horses or ponies, then you already have the skills to work around guinea pigs and not set them off into a panic. Whenever the guinea pig has time to play outside of its cage, make sure all potential bolt holes (like getting behind the sofa) are blocked off.
References:
“The Proper Care of Guinea Pigs.” Peter Gurney. TFH; 1992.
Guinea Pig: Your Happy Healthy Pet, 2nd Edition.” Audrey Pavia. Howell Book House; 2005.
“Guinea Pigs.” Nancy Ferris, et al. Bow Tie Press; 2005.
“The Guinea Pig Handbook.” Sharon L. Vanderlip, DVM. Barron’s; 2003.
Personal experience
