Piggy Personalities: on Bonding and Building Relationships with Your Pigs

Hi, I’m Emma; I’m a contributor to the Critter Colony Club blog and a long time piggy parent. Today I’ll be sharing a little bit about building relationships to your piggies, whether they’re brand new babies or fully grown adults.

Piggy Personalities

While guinea pigs are often considered “starter pets” or “easy pets”, they actually require a huge amount of care and attention in order to thrive. In addition to their specific diet, habitat, and veterinary needs, each guinea pig has its own needs regarding bonding and quality time with humans and other piggies alike. It is imperative to the success of any guinea pig’s socialization that they are surrounded by other pigs and people who treat them with respect, follow their boundaries, and contribute equally to the relationship. In order to successfully bond with your guinea pig and maintain that bond, work must be put in to achieve trust and loyalty (just like human friendships!). 

These boundaries will be different for each and every pig, and just because you have successfully bonded with one guinea pig utilizing a certain activity or technique does not mean that it will universally work to bond with all piggies. However, don’t be discouraged! Part of the joy of bonding with your pig is getting to know their preferences and patterns so you can best care for them and their needs. 

New Places, Loud Sounds

When guinea pigs first come into our homes, it’s a very exciting time; the joy of new pets can be overwhelming, but at the same time, the joy of a new home can be overwhelming for our new little friends. When first introducing any piggies to your space, it is a good idea to provide them some time to grow accustomed to their new surroundings, no matter what their personality seems to be. 

Speaking softly to your guinea pigs is always a good idea, whether they are new to your space or not; allowing the piggies to hear your voice alerts them to your presence in the room, tells them who is around even if they can’t smell you, and gets them used to your presence in their space. When a pig is new to an environment this is especially important as their survival instincts will be heightened and they may be experiencing high levels of anxiety. Speaking to your piggies before attempting to touch or handle them allows them an opportunity to get to know you and come to trust you.

Generally, guinea pigs are very sensitive to sound. While most guinea pigs are easily startled by sudden or loud noises, it’s important to assess your specific guinea pigs’ relationships to sound. Some guinea pigs love music, while some find it annoying. Some guinea pigs enjoy the sounds and moving colors of the TV, while some may be antagonized by the constantly changing sound scape. It is a good idea to experiment with what your guinea pigs prefer, always making sure to pay active attention to their responses to specific stimulation. If your piggy is chattering or rumble-strutting at the TV or your music, it’s likely not something they are enjoying and should be removed from their environment. While you don’t have to change your patterns overall, small changes like wearing headphones or turning down the TV slightly could make all the difference in your piggy’s comfort levels in your home; that being said, if your piggy is super relaxed by music or the TV, don’t be afraid to share those things with them! Pet relationships are all about compromise- they’re kinda like little, fluffy roommates! 

Cuddles and Cuddle-Nots

One of the best parts of having piggies is the physical affection that they can provide us; however, not all piggies love to cuddle, and that’s perfectly okay! Physical bonding is hugely important to developing a long lasting relationship with your piggies, and the bonding process takes a huge amount of time and effort to maintain and decode. Handling your piggies for a significant amount of time daily is vital to situating their comfort, but that handling can look different depending on a pig’s preferences. 

Some piggies really enjoy what I like to call “lap time”; this could look like sitting on an owner’s lap or being carried around in their arms. Other guinea pigs, on the other hand, may be more privy to “floor time”, or the laying out of a towel for them to snack and explore on. Just because your piggies may not enjoy lap time doesn’t mean that you can’t/shouldn’t provide them lots of scratches and love during floor time; again, building a relationship with your piggies is all about understanding what works best for you all as a team. 

Just like people, each day can be different for piggies and how they are feeling about physical touch. If a piggy is actively running away or hiding, they are likely not interested in physical touch at that time. Give your piggies the space and time they need so that they can build trust with you and continue to express their love in their own unique ways! 

Listening and Love

Listening to our piggies is the absolute best way to show them love and respect. As you bond with your pigs it should become clear what it is they enjoy, and what it is that may upset or disturb them. Living in peace with your piggies means making compromises and working together through listening and care for the other’s well being. Through time and effort, relationships to guinea pigs can be just as deep and complex as pet relationships some may only imagine possible with a larger animal. By treating your guinea pigs’ feelings as important they will come to understand your care for them, and your relationships will be undeniably strengthened.