Critters Library: Handling



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Handling Guinea Pigs

A common way to safely pick up a guinea pig is by placing your thumb and index finger around the guinea pig's neck, while placing the last three fingers behind its forearm. You may prefer to place your entire hand behind the guinea pig's forearms and gently lift from there.

In either case, you should be sure to support the pet's hindquarters with the palm of your other hand. You can then hold the guinea pig against your chest, thus preventing the animal from squirming or thrashing about. Providing the animal with support not only helps keep the guinea pig in your grasp but also prevents the animal from injuring its spine.

When handling your guinea pig, keep in mind that these timid pets may scratch or bite when frightened or in pain. To minimize scratches, clip your pet's toenails periodically.

Author(s): Romina Vitols

Critters Home Page: Critter Library: Handling

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