Bar Biting Help Please!

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Cookie&Cream

Cookie&Cream

Junior Guinea Pig
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One of my Guinea Pigs bites the bars a lot, I've tried toys, gnawing blocks, I've got him out for cuddles but starts again almost straightaway, the only thing that really stops him is veggies but obviously he can't always have it.
Any suggestions as its really starting to get on mine and my boyfriend's nerves!
 
Sorry to hear this, sometimes it is a phase they grow out out.

Megan used to bite the bars during her 'Season' Yes it is very loud.

Does he live with a friend? I am assuming her does. Has he got a house to go into? Have you cleaned the cage with anything different? I only say this last one because when we had a hammy, we changed the spray we cleaned the cage with once and she did go insane biting the bars and running around
 
sport_billy said:
Sorry to hear this, sometimes it is a phase they grow out out.

Megan used to bite the bars during her 'Season' Yes it is very loud.

Does he live with a friend? I am assuming her does. Has he got a house to go into? Have you cleaned the cage with anything different? I only say this last one because when we had a hammy, we changed the spray we cleaned the cage with once and she did go insane biting the bars and running around
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No he's been separated from my other boar for at least 4 months now. Yeah he has a house and I haven't used anything different.
Starting to get worried about him breaking his teeth :(
 
I am wondering if he is feeling a little lonely? I am just saying this because when we used to take Treacy out for medicine when she was poorly, Cookie would bite the bars none stop till Treacle was put back in. @Wiebke any ideas?
 
Brodie bites the bar but its an attention seeking thing as soon as he gets a treat he stops then tries his luck for a 2nd treat until he realises I have walked away !
 
Sara412 said:
Brodie bites the bar but its an attention seeking thing as soon as he gets a treat he stops then tries his luck for a 2nd treat until he realises I have walked away !
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I'll have to try that! Tried giving mine some hay treat things from wilko yesterday... they both nibbled the tiniest bit and walked away from it haha! Guinea Pigs are fussy
 
sport_billy said:
I am wondering if he is feeling a little lonely? I am just saying this because when we used to take Treacy out for medicine when she was poorly, Cookie would bite the bars none stop till Treacle was put back in. @Wiebke any ideas?
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Thing is even when they were together they were never that close, they just seem a LOT happier since separating them, both popcorn a lot more than they did
 
Yes, that can often be the way with warring boys, hopefully someone may have a few ideas for you.. Will keep this thread bumped up over the next few days for you :)
 
sport_billy said:
Yes, that can often be the way with warring boys, hopefully someone may have a few ideas for you.. Will keep this thread bumped up over the next few days for you :)
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I'd just rather keep them on their own as they seem happy and I don't want to put them at risk, I used to get so paranoid when they started to not get on whenever I was out as I wouldn't of been able to stop them, I couldn't go through that again!
And thank you :)
 
I quite agree. very sensible and wise. I do hope the bar biting stops as quickly as it has started...
 
Are the boys side by side so that they can see, hear and smell each other? The bar biter might be trying to get to the other boy. Also, perhaps his teeth need to be checked. I discovered my Peanut Butter had overgrown toofies when he took to biting cage bars.
 
Bar biting is often either a desire to get to a piggy on the other side or it is attention seeking behaviour. In the latter case, the best is to simply ignore it. it will stop when it doesn't get any response.

The first is more difficult to deal with. Many dominant teenage boys don't understand what they are doing and are desperate for company even though things go to hell in a hurry around them. You could try plexiglas so they can still see each other, but he cannot reach the bars.

if the bar biting is incessant, please have the teeth checked for any damage.
 
Cookie's cage is on top of Cream's - the bar biter (its literally the only way possible!)
I'll check his teeth later when I clean their cages.
What should I do if they're over-grown or damaged?
 
You'd need to take him to a guinea pig specialised vet for treatment if they're damaged (possible) or over-grown (doubtful).

I second the plexi-glass idea. It works a treat as he can't get at the bars to bite them, and he can still see through. I have to do it for one of my boys whilst his cage mate was recovering from tooth issues. He just wanted to be back in with him.
 
Cookie&Cream said:
Okay :) just fingers crossed they're not damaged or overgrown, he's eating completly fine, surely that's a good sign?
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It is more likely that he damages his front teeth, especially if this is becoming a habit. Overgrown back teeth are rare to be the cause and as your boy is still eating well and not losing weight, chewing more slowly, dribbling or letting food drop, stop eating certain food etc. I would not panic over it. You can have it checked out as a possibility if you wish to, but it is more in the way of being able to dismiss it, I would think.
 
Wiebke said:
Bar biting is often either a desire to get to a piggy on the other side or it is attention seeking behaviour. In the latter case, the best is to simply ignore it. it will stop when it doesn't get any response.

The first is more difficult to deal with. Many dominant teenage boys don't understand what they are doing and are desperate for company even though things go to hell in a hurry around them. You could try plexiglas so they can still see each other, but he cannot reach the bars.

if the bar biting is incessant, please have the teeth checked for any damage.
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My piggy does that too, just so I'll let her out for some floor time [emoji5] funny girl
 
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