Guinea pig biting fur out of other

T

ThePiggyPalace

New Born Pup
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My boys get on well but there's often a few rumblestrutts. One of them bites the others fur out whenever he gets jealous of me showing the other attention. He's done this several times now and he's always very quick to do it, the other doesn't react at all, but I know the others done it as he has a few hairs in his mouth. The other is the dominant pig, although fur biter often contests this (not in a violent way, just rumblestrutting. What can I do?
 
It sounds like your guinea pigs have a bit of a dominance struggle, but since there’s no aggression, it’s likely normal behavior. Rumblestrutting and mild fur-plucking (barbering) can be a way for the less dominant pig to express frustration or jealousy, especially if it's happening when you give attention to the other pig. Since the other pig doesn’t react, it’s probably not causing pain.


You might try giving them equal attention to reduce jealousy, and make sure they have plenty of space, hideouts, and enrichment to prevent boredom. If barbering becomes excessive or leads to bald spots, you could try offering more chew toys or hay to redirect the behavior. Otherwise, as long as they’re getting along well, it’s probably just part of their relationship dynamics!
 
I was just going to add the barbering link that piggies&buns has given you. I have added another guide you may find useful to determine whether he is doing it as a dominance action or if he likes hairdressing. It does sound more like a dominance behaviour with the circumstances you describe.

" Biting" And What You Can Do (Biting, Tweaking, Nibbling and Nipping)
 
Thank you everyone. It doesn't sound anything to worry about then. They get on really well but can be proper lads in the way they act sometimes! They'd be the lads down the pub looking for trouble if they were humans! 🤣
 
Hello, my guinea pig is still doing this to the other. He's biting his fur whenever he thinks the other is getting attention, when he hears the rustle of the food and the other is waiting excitedly to be fed or just if the other is eating hay in a spot he would like to be in. It's only a few hairs each time, but I really feel for the one having his fur bitten, even though he never flinches. In terms of hierarchy, the bitten is the boss of the two, although the biter often contests that with rumblestrutting. Generally, they get on great though and value each other's company. I don't know how to train the biter out of it.
 
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