Biting Guinea pigs

[DianaG]

Hey, I'm still learning to care for guinea pigs I love them to death but they gotten to where they would nibble me but sometimes its too hard they draw blood not bad but only happened once, any other time it was hard nibbles, and one always snaps at the other a few times when holding them. I'm just wondering if I should be worried or it was about them wanting something

 

[Chaz]

They could be telling you they need the toilet. Could mistake your finger for food.
Do you always cuddle both at the same time?

 

[DianaG]

Ah ok, thank you

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
You can refer to these guides:
" Biting" And What You Can Do
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
Are they young piggies? I have always found that youngsters have stronger biting tendencies than older guinea pigs.
Are you doing anything in particular that may be causing this reaction (holding them, picking them up, etc.)?
We have to remember that guinea pigs are prey animals, and no matter how loving we are towards them, we are still considered to be "predators".
I hope that this helps!

 

[DianaG]

Yes they're young, and I try to hold them at least a few minutes a day, the youngest of the two is the one who tends to bite more, the other whose a tad older doesn't bite as much, she sits and relaxes while the youngest one fusses at me and can't keep still

 

[Chaz]

Yes they're young, and I try to hold them at least a few minutes a day, the youngest of the two is the one who tends to bite more, the other whose a tad older doesn't bite as much, she sits and relaxes while the youngest one fusses at me and can't keep still

When Luna was young, she used to bite all the time. She used to draw blood all the time. When she matured, she stopped and I only get licks now. Occasionally she bites to tell me she needs a wee or because I've annoyed her, but other than that I get licks.
I get nibbles from the others. Meggy hates it if I don't let her on my shoulder and I get hard nibbles then, and that's showing me she's annoyed at me and wants something.

 

[DianaG]

Ah i gotcha, my Dottie the youngest loves sitting on my shoulder, thank you

 

[Chaz]

Ah i gotcha, my Dottie the youngest loves sitting on my shoulder, thank you

I usually let Nutmeg, but if I'm at the computer, there's nothing to stop her falling on the floor.

 

[Siikibam]

Yes they're young, and I try to hold them at least a few minutes a day, the youngest of the two is the one who tends to bite more, the other whose a tad older doesn't bite as much, she sits and relaxes while the youngest one fusses at me and can't keep still

Just bear in mind the younger one may prefer to be on the floor doing her own thing rather than being held.