Biting and chattering teeth at me to play?

[BaconChunksMom]

My Cavy Bacon Chunk has a really weird way of playing, he calls me in by weaking (when he already has all his food and water) just to play. He’ll stand up in his cage and wait for me to put my hand in he’ll bite me and then popcorn, then he’ll continue a few more times if he gets to nip at me or I tickle him on the side he’ll start popcorning, then he’ll start to get bratty and he begins chatter his teeth at me, but call me again if I stop playing. I’m very confused and don’t really mind the behavior but he doesn’t even let me pick him up has anyone experienced a guinea pig that plays like this? How can I get him to let me pick him up so I can let him and give him cuddles.

 

[Guinea Pig Magazine]

He sounds like a bit of an attention seeker. You are lucky to have a guinea that interacts so closely with you without being held. Work with him and you'll both find a happy medium. Our |Skinnies have always had bold characters and can be quite vocal. Does he have a companion to interact with?

 

[DMS260820]

My sow teeth chatters when i give veg too late lol

 

[Bill & Ted]

He’s probably needs the stimulation of a companion of his choosing, and feels a bit lonely x Try find him a friend, s there any animal rescues that do boar dating near you ?

 

[Wiebke]

My Cavy Bacon Chunk has a really weird way of playing, he calls me in by weaking (when he already has all his food and water) just to play. He’ll stand up in his cage and wait for me to put my hand in he’ll bite me and then popcorn, then he’ll continue a few more times if he gets to nip at me or I tickle him on the side he’ll start popcorning, then he’ll start to get bratty and he begins chatter his teeth at me, but call me again if I stop playing. I’m very confused and don’t really mind the behavior but he doesn’t even let me pick him up has anyone experienced a guinea pig that plays like this? How can I get him to let me pick him up so I can let him and give him cuddles.

Hi and welcome

Is Bacon Chunk a single piggy? Please be aware that guinea pigs are group animals that require stimulation and interaction round the clock. Attention seeking behaviours in guinea pigs not getting that are very common. While you have human social interaction and lots of things to keep you busy, he only has you whenever you have time and all the other hours of the day and the night when he has nobody/nopig else.
That is why a single piggy will try anything that gets a reaction out of you at any time of day out of sheer desperation.

You can use our piggy whispering tips in the links below to deal with the uppity behaviours, but please be aware that that is NOT addressing the underlying need for round the clock companionship of his own kind for the next 5-7 years of a healthy life span.

Sadly Switzerland is still the only country where it is legally forbidden to sell and keep group animals as singles, including expressly guinea pigs, as one of the five animal freedoms to ensure basic welfare. In all other countries where shops and for sale breeders cannot be prosecuted for breaking the law, animal welfare and basic knowledge of the needs of the species they are selling in their shops are taking a very bad second, third or fourth behind making money and selling single animals in too small cages in order to gain repeat custom for food and bedding from customers who want a cheap pet, not knowing that the only cheap thing about their pet is the sales price.

Please take the time to read the links below; they are all part of our new owner information collection, which you will find very helpful and interesting. Guinea pigs are so much more than just an instant cuddly pet with a short life span. They are a fascination species of their own with great personalities - but that also comes with responsibilities both in terms of companionship, plenty of space, a good diet and the need to save up for vet care right from the start because that is going to be any pet's biggest life long budget post. And as small animals, guinea pigs cannot wait for days, they need to been there and then in an emergency or severe illness or for a life-saving operation.

But please do your research first and make sure that you consider the long term implications before you make any knee-jerk decisions.

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
" Biting" And What You Can Do

Companionship
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[BaconChunksMom]

Deleted message

 

[BaconChunksMom]

He sounds like a bit of an attention seeker. You are lucky to have a guinea that interacts so closely with you without being held. Work with him and you'll both find a happy medium. Our |Skinnies have always had bold characters and can be quite vocal. Does he have a companion to interact with?

I love that he interacts with me it definitely makes me smile and definitely makes me laugh but he’s been territorial since he was a baby so I’m afraid to get him a companion right now and him not like or get along with the other one. I’d have to wait till I move out due to lack of space in case I have to build another c&c cage.

 

[BaconChunksMom]

Hi and welcome

Is Bacon Chunk a single piggy? Please be aware that guinea pigs are group animals that require stimulation and interaction round the clock. Attention seeking behaviours in guinea pigs not getting that are very common. While you have human social interaction and lots of things to keep you busy, he only has you whenever you have time and all the other hours of the day and the night when he has nobody/nopig else.
That is why a single piggy will try anything that gets a reaction out of you at any time of day out of sheer desperation.

You can use our piggy whispering tips in the links below to deal with the uppity behaviours, but please be aware that that is NOT addressing the underlying need for round the clock companionship of his own kind for the next 5-7 years of a healthy life span.

Sadly Switzerland is still the only country where it is legally forbidden to sell and keep group animals as singles, including expressly guinea pigs, as one of the five animal freedoms to ensure basic welfare. In all other countries where shops and for sale breeders cannot be prosecuted for breaking the law, animal welfare and basic knowledge of the needs of the species they are selling in their shops are taking a very bad second, third or fourth behind making money and selling single animals in too small cages in order to gain repeat custom for food and bedding from customers who want a cheap pet, not knowing that the only cheap thing about their pet is the sales price.

Please take the time to read the links below; they are all part of our new owner information collection, which you will find very helpful and interesting. Guinea pigs are so much more than just an instant cuddly pet with a short life span. They are a fascination species of their own with great personalities - but that also comes with responsibilities both in terms of companionship, plenty of space, a good diet and the need to save up for vet care right from the start because that is going to be any pet's biggest life long budget post. And as small animals, guinea pigs cannot wait for days, they need to been there and then in an emergency or severe illness or for a life-saving operation.

But please do your research first and make sure that you consider the long term implications before you make any knee-jerk decisions.

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
" Biting" And What You Can Do

Companionship
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

He currently doesn’t have a companion but mostly because when he was a baby at the shop we got him at he was kept alone due to his territorial tendencies. He would bully all the other babies so he’s always been pretty sassy. I’m working on moving out soon so when I do I’ll try to get him a companion but I’m afriad to do so at the moment because I don’t have space for another c & c cage if he decides he doesn’t like his new friend

 

[Wiebke]

He currently doesn’t have a companion but mostly because when he was a baby at the shop we got him at he was kept alone due to his territorial tendencies. He would bully all the other babies so he’s always been pretty sassy. I’m working on moving out soon so when I do I’ll try to get him a companion but I’m afriad to do so at the moment because I don’t have space for another c & c cage if he decides he doesn’t like his new friend

Thank you!

Sounds like he is a dominant boy. Perhaps you can find another single as a next door companion once you have the space?

Right now, try the piggy whispering tips to invite him into the herd you are leading, to ensure that you love him but then you also tell him which behaviours are not tolerated in your group. Your boy has likely hit the teenage months and is pushing the boundaries with you as you haven't cleared the hierarchy; keep in mind that guinea pigs belong to a group, which is strictly hierarchical. If you put your relationship and any issues in aframe that he can immediately understand, then you can generally solve them without much ado.
As other forum members can attest, piggy whispering is surprisingly effective because you tackle things in piggy lingo and are not expecting your piggy learn human first.