and so it has happened!

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barnyard

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So I have noticed our more confident piggie (and the more friendly piggie we thought!) Alan has recently become more skitish, no sitting still on our laps a little more unfriendly in general, he has also been desplaying more dominant behaviours to Pebbles his brother although no bitting. Well today he has bit my little boy, no blood drawn but none the less upsetting for him as Alans his pride and joy. I've tried to brush it of as dont want to make my son nervous around them!

Once they have shown they will bit is this something that may develop further? Pebbles on the other havd seems more settled when we pick her up and will sit still (I know they are all different) Just hope its not something we have done or something he will repeat regulaly :((

Any advice would be *** ta
 
Sorry to hear that - what led up to the bite? Was it during cuddle time?
SOmetimes piggies nibble if they need a wee when on a lap. But not usually a bite.
Cheeky has bitten my little girl once but it was a case of thinking the finger was some carrot, i believe! I think you were totally right to dismiss it with your son so that he does not react in the future.
 
no it wasnt lap time he was stroking him in his cage, I'm hoping its mistaken identity too (for some food!) he does in general though seem a little grumpy (Alan that is not my son although he is grumpy too today!)
 
Hopefully it was just that and piggy thought the finger was a veg treat!
You could try leaving him (piggy) for a while and then you try stroking him yourself and observe if the piggy dislikes being stroked in some areas. I have read on other threads that some piggies do not like having their bottom or lower back stroked - my boys don't care but some do.
If you work out how best to stroke your particular pigs eg just cheek rubs perhaps and then teach your son? I think it sounds like it is all part of settling into your family:) but see what others say too.
 
I would check him over for any skin irritation (dandruff, scabs, hair thinning) in case he is sore. There could be a physical reason for his behaviour change.
 
Raven said:
I would check him over for any skin irritation (dandruff, scabs, hair thinning) in case he is sore. There could be a physical reason for his behaviour change.
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I agree

Guinea pigs very very rarely bite unless provoked or needing a wee during lap time. I was holding Bumble once and he bit me on the arm as a child stroking him suddenly pushed down far too hard, and as my arm was under his mouth, he bit it!

I would check Alan very carefully as Raven suggests, and also keep an eye on how your son is handling him. Kids often do things to animals they shouldn't not because they are malicious, but because they don't know quite what the consequences of doing so will be - and you saying 'careful he will bite you!' is never quite as effective as actually being bitten!

On a nanny state style health and safety note, has your son had his proper tetanus jabs?
 
thanks, yes he has! and I watch them nearly all of the time, I try not to leave them un attended and that NEVER happens if they are having lap time. both my children have been told how to be gentle and careful as they are small animals, but i am aware that my son as younger can be a little gung ho! I was with him today so know he wasnt doing anything he shouldnt. Am just worried that Alan does seem jumpy, he is eating and has been doing some pop corning in the cage but will just keep observing.

I did ask this in another thread but got no answers, are there any treatments for mites or lice that should be given on a regular basis like with cats,dogs?
 
I know some people use ivermectin spot-on (e.g. Xeno 450) every 3 months for parasite prevention.
 
barnyard said:
thanks, yes he has! and I watch them nearly all of the time, I try not to leave them un attended and that NEVER happens if they are having lap time. both my children have been told how to be gentle and careful as they are small animals, but i am aware that my son as younger can be a little gung ho! I was with him today so know he wasnt doing anything he shouldnt. Am just worried that Alan does seem jumpy, he is eating and has been doing some pop corning in the cage but will just keep observing.

When my guineas were young, Apple also went thro' a biting stage (like some children!)She drew blood a couple of times. She certainly wasn't illtreated, and I eventually decided she was just being a bit frisky and didn't want to be held any longer. She went on to be the more outgoing one, and great fun, so please do be patient. I would suggest that you tell your children not to put their fingers/hand in front of his mouth, as yes, guineas may have a nibble to see if it's tasty. Popcorning suggests Alan's full of the joys of life and keen to have a run about.
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i do see the odd moments were I think they are having fun but he does seem to be showing more dominant behaviour and tonight when I have said goodnight he has made the rumbling, teeth chattering noises at me, pebbles was in a snuggle sack! I have picked him up in the sack tongiht but he doesnt want to even poke his head out, he quickly retreats back in which he didnt last week ! feel bit sad as dont want them to be unhappy but as not that experienced myself finding a little bit dis-heartening :(
 
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