Guinea pigs are cuddly and cute pets that you will badly want at home. There are lots of guinea pig owners that say that guinea pigs are one of the best pets. Guinea pig owners experience many unusual things from their pet guinea pigs. Sometimes their guinea pigs go into their hair, lap, and even on the top of their head.
Guinea pigs are vocal and expressive animals. They will tell their owners how much they love them. If you have a pet guinea pig, you will effortlessly notice if they love you or not. However, there is one thing guinea pigs do that confuses owners, especially beginners. What is that?
The one thing that confuses guinea pig owners is guinea pigs going or climbing on their shoulders. What is the reason behind this? Why does your guinea pig go on your shoulder? Here, let me give you an answer. The answer is based on research, my experience of mine, and testimonials of other owners.
Guinea pigs go on your shoulder to show that they love and trust you already. However, it does not mean that your guinea pig loves you in an erotic sense. Your guinea pig just loves and trusts you so much! But not all guinea pigs do this since each guinea pig has a different personality.
There are other things you can learn from this topic. I will tell you different signs that mean that your guinea pig already loves you. Lastly, I will answer various questions related to our topic. If you are ready to learn another essential thing about guinea pigs, let us carry on!
Is It Good For Your Guinea Pig To Go On Your Shoulder?
Guinea pigs are social animals that love to spend time with their fellow guinea pigs and owners. They are very expressive! Your guinea pig will tell and show you that it loves and trusts you. One of their way of showing that they love and trust you is by going on your shoulder. However, is it good for your guinea pig to go on your shoulder?
Actually, yes! It is good for your guinea pig to go on your shoulder because it creates a strong relationship between you and your pet guinea pig. If your guinea pig goes on your shoulder, cherish that moment because that is counted as your bonding time.
However, you have to make sure that your guinea pig is safe on your shoulder. Your guinea pig might slip or fall from your shoulder, which can cause injuries to your pet guinea pig. As an owner, you are obliged to make sure that your guinea pig is always safe.
How To Make Your Guinea Pig Go On Your Shoulder?
Now, you are imagining how fun and amazing it is if your guinea pig goes on your shoulder. It is like Abu to Aladdin. However, how can you make your guinea pig go on your shoulder? Here is what you must do.
At first, your guinea pig will not trust you and will constantly hide from you. Because guinea pigs are prey animals, it is normal for them to act cautiously from you. Humans look like predators to guinea pigs. Why? Because of our large size!
When it is the first time your guinea pig is in your house, never force your guinea pig to go on your shoulder right away. It can stress your pet guinea pig. It takes time to make your guinea pig trust you. It is like love. It takes time.
To get the trust of your guinea pig so that soon it will go on your shoulder, you have to play it step by step. You can get your guinea pig’s trust by doing these things:
- Feeding your guinea pig at the right time
- Respecting your guinea pig’s space
- Talking with your guinea pig every day
- Sitting next to the cage of your pet guinea pig
- Avoiding loud noises
- Hand feed your guinea pig
Once your guinea pig seems receptive already, you can bring your guinea pig out of the cage. However, even though your guinea pig has a little trust in you already, it does not mean it will go on your shoulder already. Like I have said, not all guinea pigs will go on the shoulder of their owners.
If you gain the trust of your guinea pig, never still force them to go on your shoulder. If your guinea pig wants to go on your shoulder, it will go on your shoulder. However, if you want that to happen, you must gain the trust of your guinea pig first.
So it is not a hundred percent. It is a matter of chance only. But if your guinea pig trusts you, the higher the chances that your guinea pig goes on your shoulder.
How Often Should Your Guinea Pig Go On Your Shoulder?
Once you gain the trust and love of your guinea pig, expect that it will sometimes go on your shoulder. However, how often should your guinea pig go on your shoulder?
Well, there is no answer for that because it solely depends on your guinea pig. Guinea pigs that are antisocial or introverted will not often go on their owner’s shoulder. However, guinea pigs that are extroverted will often go to the shoulder of their owner.
Will Guinea Pigs Go To The Shoulder Of A Stranger?
The answer to this question is no. Guinea pigs will never go to the shoulder of a stranger. For your guinea pig to go on your shoulder, you have to gain the trust of your guinea pig first. That is why if you are the only person your guinea pig trust, your guinea pig will only go on your shoulder and not on your friends or other family members that are strangers for your guinea pig.
Other Signs That Your Guinea Pig Loves You
Aside from going on your shoulder, there are other signs that your guinea pig loves and trusts you already. What are those other signs? Here, let us find out!
First, your guinea pig follows you everywhere you go! Naturally, guinea pigs will hide from humans, freeze on the spot, or run away. However, once they start following their owners, it is a sign of affection. Even though there is no treat, your guinea pig will still follow you because you make them feel safe.
Second, your guinea pig will never bite you. Guinea pigs are defensive animals since they are prey animals. However, if your guinea pig loves and trusts you already, your guinea pig will not bite you when you approach, carry, or touch your guinea pig.
Third, your guinea pig will climb on you. Not just on your shoulders but also on the other parts of your body that seem comfortable to lie on. Sometimes, your guinea pig will climb on your head, lap, and anywhere on your body that seems comfortable.
Fourth, your guinea pig responds to your voice. Guinea pigs can’t recognize their own names. However, they can recognize your voice. You should talk gently, quietly, and calmly from the moment you get your pet guinea pig. Chat with your guinea pig while you feed and train your guinea pig, clean the cage of your guinea pig, and while hand feeding your guinea pig.
Fifth, your guinea pig likes being held. Guinea pigs are naturally timid creatures. That is why it takes lots of confidence for them to come to you for stroking or holding. That confidence can be interpreted as affection. First, you have to get the trust of your guinea pig before they like being held by you.
Lastly, your guinea pig will come to you and say hello. When it is the first time your guinea pig goes inside your house, it will run away and hide from you when you try to approach it. It takes time and patience to tame your pet guinea pig. Continue to give your guinea pig some treats. Once they are tamed, your guinea pig will come and say hello to you always.
How To Know If Your Guinea Pig Hates You?
If your guinea pig hates you, it will tell you as well. If your guinea pig hates or is unhappy with you, your guinea pig will freeze, fidget, or throw its head up in the air. It means that your guinea pig is not comfortable or scared of you. Also, your guinea pig might bite or hiss at you when your guinea pig hates you.
Final Verdict
The reason why your guinea pig goes on your shoulder is that your guinea pig trusts and loves you already. So, if you want your guinea pig to go on your shoulder, you must gain the trust of your guinea pig first.
To gain the trust of your guinea pig, you must calmly talk with your guinea pig, give your guinea pig some treats, feed your guinea pig at the right time, and never force your guinea pig to do what you want them to do.
Source: blog.omlet.us