Chewing on cage bars

squeaksandcarrots

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 19, 2018
Messages
1,906
Reaction score
1,687
Points
755
Location
United States
Cocoa always chews on her cage bars at night. Sometimes it annoys me so much that I have to sleep on the couch! I've tried putting some extra fleece over the bars, but she just goes to another one. Is there anything else I can do prevent her from chewing on them?
 
Cocoa always chews on her cage bars at night. Sometimes it annoys me so much that I have to sleep on the couch! I've tried putting some extra fleece over the bars, but she just goes to another one. Is there anything else I can do prevent her from chewing on them?

Is she an only piggy? In that case, the best thing would be a same sex mate to give her the round the clock stimulation and companionship that she needs. Guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to live on their own, to be taken out and played with for just a short time and when it suits you - they yearn for somebody to be there at all times.

Attention seeking behaviours like hers is a clear sign that she is starved for company and doing her best to get your interaction - anything that gets a reaction from you, even a grumpy one. As long as you react to her cage biting, she is achieving her aim, as far as she is concerned. The best way to stop it is simply by not reacting at all, even though it is going to take some sleepless nights for you. Piggies are not stupid to continue for long with something that is no longer working, but you will have to brace yourself for her working out another way to catch your attention as her need won't disappear. You may be able to speed up the process by asserting your dominance when she misbehaves, but you always need to combine that with piggy gestures that make sure that you love her and want her to be part of your group before and after any telling off. Otherwise she will feel even more rejected.
Companionship
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Sadly Switzerland is still the only country where it is illegal to keep, sell or rehome any group animal species as singles. Pet shops in all other countries are still far too to money orientated to care for the welfare and needs of the animals they sell. A customer gets what they want, even if it is all wrong - from single piggies (and bunnies) to far too small cages, unhealthy treats, dangerous cage accessories, spine-breaking leads and ineffective low dosed or potentially dangerous anti-parasite brands. :(
 
I have another piggy, but when I tried bonding them Cocoa was bullying Penny. I was just so scared that Cocoa was going to seriously injure Penny. They are currently cage neighbors.
 
I have another piggy, but when I tried bonding them Cocoa was bullying Penny. I was just so scared that Cocoa was going to seriously injure Penny. They are currently cage neighbors.

OK, thank you!

Please try the piggy whispering tips to tell him that he is misbehaving but that he is remaining a treasure part of the group you are leading. ;)
 
OK, thank you!

Please try the piggy whispering tips to tell him that he is misbehaving but that he is remaining a treasure part of the group you are leading. ;)
I'll try that! And is it satisfying enough for them to be cage neighbors? They sniff each other through the bars and talk to each other. I just don't want to relive that horrible bonding experience. I also talk to both of them and try to interact with them daily.
 
The cage biting might be because they are side by side and want to interact with each other and are frustrated they can't. I've done through the bars intros, and they bite the bars out of frustration then as well (both parties and even all my pups will do it if on opposing sides of the bars). I've also seen stressed gp bite bars (like shortly after bringing home a new gp and it's by itself) or bored gp do it (if they have hay and places to go or hide in, they should be eating it or messing around or hiding and NOT bored biting bars). I thought I had several boy pups initially, and between week 2-3, (after full intros in neutral territory over a couple of days w/o issue) had been letting a pup go into my boar's cage with him. He'd rumble and chase half-heartedly then lay down or rest. They'd be on the bars constantly eventually. Granted they weren't weened yet and it was strictly a "get to know you" session, but they really wanted back in their cage with mom.

My fear with the bar biting is breaking/chipping a tooth. If they refuse to stop, try separating their cages for a couple days and leave a ton of timothy hay in each. If they stop biting the bars, you'll know why. I've also found that every gp I have LOVE hammocks. Try putting one in if you don't already; I made a small mini wooden rectangular table and use a ferret hammock, and attach each end over the top of the wooden "table" so it hangs evenly and is low enough they can get in it but high enough it's off the bedding. Even my newest gp was stressed and rather unhappy after bringing him home, eventually settled into the hammock I'd made for older boar Scottie. Between that and the tunnels, he's either in it or under it or in a tunnel hiding or running around.
 
(Sorry for late reply!) I think Cocoa was definitely trying to get my attention, like Wiebke said. Yesterday I gave her more attention and even had some bonding time at night with her on my lap. She didn't chew on the bars at all last night :)
 
Mine stopped biting bars when they had stuff to do or they weren't in close proximity to each other (when I only had two that had been separated to individual cages; have 7 now so everyone has someone to interact with). During my sow's pregnancy, the boar's cage was right up next to hers (at one time situated directly above hers but she'd stand on end and nibble at his cage then fall over due to the weight and poor leg balance so I put the cages about 2 feet apart) and they'd nibble then too but it stopped once there was enough of a gap between them.

I handle all of mine a handful of times a day, each, so that's not an issue for me. The girls just wheek loudly (sometimes in an off-key unison) when they want something ;) The guys, well they are pretty quiet. I consider the wheeking out to me a sign of intelligence on their part, so it doesn't get discouraged.
 
Back
Top