Your guinea pig needs time outside the cage daily for exercise and socialization. Thus you need to learn to pick him up properly to avoid injury. He could even die if you drop him. Before picking up your guinea pig, make sure he is comfortable with you. Talk or sing to him softly by his cage. Drape your hand into the cage and let your guinea pig explore it. Try hand feeding your pig. When you are ready to pick up your guinea pig, act efficiently. Put one hand under his chest behind the front legs and use the other hand to scoop up the rear end as you lift him. Pull your guinea pig to your chest to keep him from wriggling away. Be prepared to lower him to a safe surface rather than dropping him. Never pick your pig up by a limb or the scruff of the neck. Contact your Temecula, CA vet to learn more.