Both Of My Boys Have Started Nipping

Status
Not open for further replies.
LydiaMinx

LydiaMinx

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Messages
884
Reaction score
603
Points
500
Location
South East England
My boys are very tame (normally) and only Badger used to be a bitter, and I think that used to be out of curiosity more then anything else.

However recently anytime I get them out for some cuddles (which is roughly once a day) the both seem to get quite hysterical and will nip and pull my clothes (sometimes getting my belly which HURTS!) until they get put back in, there's been no routine change that would mean that they would start nipping this much, it used to just be when they needed a wee!

Any ideas or tips on how to curb it? I don't want it to progess onto full biting or stop me from having interaction on that level with them :(
 
Have you checked to see if there is any hair loss on their backs? Sometimes mange mites can cause them to be extra sensitive, so maybe rule out a physical cause first? :)
 
I did scour them thoroughly after it started happening and I found nothing unusual, I should have mentioned that initially :P it's very perplexing, some kind of parasite/fungal issue was my first thought too
 
How strange! How old are they? (Don't want to leave you alone on this,; concerned about your tummy) lol :D
 
Mine have had mange mites & the hair loss was quite clear, it's nothing to do with hygiene, it can be brought on by stress unfortunately but mine never bit or showed any signs apart from the hair loss. I got them from boarding after one holiday & obviously the stress of being away from their mum upset them :( But I've read on here how they can cause piggies to bite :) Not sure what else it could be? Have you tried feeding them first before handling them? Mine are very fidgety before food time but more relaxed with a full tummy :tu:
 
It could well be mange mites, but in the early stages where you wouldn't see any hairloss. Can you see any hairs broken half way down the shaft? If not, could they need a wee?
 
I would bet money that it isn't Mange mites as they've been doing it for a while and there's no hair loss or sore skin, absolutely no physical changes! They also don't mind being stroked when not on my lap, they come up to me during floor time and get some strokes and they're not bothered in the slightest, they just seem to have an issue being on my lap! It is possible they could need a wee, it just seems to happen very quickly after being on my lap, especially for Badger who has not once wee'd whilst out! I'm going to try constantly having food with me so they have something else to chew on I think :P
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top