Ok, I'm new here and I've only had my first guinea pig(Klaus) for a week. In the time that I've had him we have already bonded. He is not scared of me anymore and he wheeks for me to get him out,feed him, ect. He's a little nippy but I think it's because he's a baby and he's testing his limits. I'm using the air blowing method and it seems to work very well. Here's my question. Sometimes when he's out playing with me, he gets really really excited,wheeks loudly,popcorns, but also bites me? What does this mean? Is he asking for me to do something? Does anyone know whether this is normal or is it negative? He does all the positive happy gestures but he also bites so I'm super confused. Please help!
New to guinea pigs :/ please help!
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Guinea pigs as a rule don't usually bite (although there are always exceptions)
If he's biting, it will probably be because he is trying to tell you something:
I don't like that, don't do that.
I'm feeling scared
I've had enough, I want to go back into my cage
That hurts, please stop
I don't feel safe.
I'm in pain, I need to go to the vet.
If you have ruled out pain as a factor and know he is healthy (vet check) then see below for some tips.
If you can try to learn his warning signs before hand or figure out when it is that he bites you, you can figure out what it is that's causing the problem and learn to avoid it.
Does he make a certain noise before he bites, back away, make a certain movement with his body?
Is it when you do something specific - stroke his head, stroke his bum, offer him a treat.
Is it at certain times (e.g when around children, other pets, loud music etc)
Is it possible that you are mistaking happy noises for angry warning noises? (Very easy to do and a lot of their noises do sound similar)
Is it after he has been out for a while and is trying to tell you he has had enough?
You can try to stop him biting by only getting him out for 5 minutes at a time, giving him some treats (green peppers, kale, parsley etc) and putting him back into his cage before he bites you - this way, he will learn to associate you with good things and will hopefully learn not to bite.
Also ensuring that you don't put him straight back into the cage / put him down if he bites - or he will learn that if he wants to get down or wants to go home, all he needs to do is bite.
Sorry for the long post, got carried away, might all be rubbish, but I hope some of it helps
If he's biting, it will probably be because he is trying to tell you something:
I don't like that, don't do that.
I'm feeling scared
I've had enough, I want to go back into my cage
That hurts, please stop
I don't feel safe.
I'm in pain, I need to go to the vet.
If you have ruled out pain as a factor and know he is healthy (vet check) then see below for some tips.
If you can try to learn his warning signs before hand or figure out when it is that he bites you, you can figure out what it is that's causing the problem and learn to avoid it.
Does he make a certain noise before he bites, back away, make a certain movement with his body?
Is it when you do something specific - stroke his head, stroke his bum, offer him a treat.
Is it at certain times (e.g when around children, other pets, loud music etc)
Is it possible that you are mistaking happy noises for angry warning noises? (Very easy to do and a lot of their noises do sound similar)
Is it after he has been out for a while and is trying to tell you he has had enough?
You can try to stop him biting by only getting him out for 5 minutes at a time, giving him some treats (green peppers, kale, parsley etc) and putting him back into his cage before he bites you - this way, he will learn to associate you with good things and will hopefully learn not to bite.
Also ensuring that you don't put him straight back into the cage / put him down if he bites - or he will learn that if he wants to get down or wants to go home, all he needs to do is bite.
Sorry for the long post, got carried away, might all be rubbish, but I hope some of it helps
I'm new to guinea pigs too and have only had my boys for about a week, but they've never bit me. I only hold them each for about a minute or two at a time right now, though, and I make sure to cradle them close to my chest and speak softly to them. At first they're afraid but once they're being cradled, they start to calm down and relax.
Well he's a healthy piggy and he's been checked. I think I've had him out for too long. Honestly he spends a lot of time out of the cage because I'm afraid to undercare for him since he's an only piggy. He's a happy little guy and I'd like to get him a buddy but for the time being can't sell my fiancé on another. I'm home all day for now and my fiancé says we might possibly get another when I start working next month. I also have one more question though. He likes to kick his food out of his ceramic bowl then eat it. Is there a way I can prevent that as I'm worried he'll pee on his food and get sick. Thank you!
Sounds like you've found the answer, after only a week, he will still be getting used to you and a lot of time out of the cage will be a lot for him to handle.
(Not suggesting you leave him in the cage constantly of course, but perhaps try shorter periods out and then spend time next to the cage talking to him and letting him get used to you without him feeling any pressure)
A second piggy is definitely a good idea, piggys need piggy company, they like having a friend to talk to and cuddle with, especially if you will be going out to work.
Could you show your fiance this forum and some research and sell the idea of a friend for Klaus that way?
Guinea pigs have minds of their own, as long as you have a thick layer of bedding down and clean it often, there is no reason to worry if he is kicking his food out of the bowl. What type of food do you feed, is it muesli or pellets?
If it is muesli, it could be that he is digging around trying to find the tasty bits to eat and knocking it out in the process. This is why most people prefer pellets, it all tastes the same so you know that they will be getting all the good nutrition as well as the fatty treats.
(Not suggesting you leave him in the cage constantly of course, but perhaps try shorter periods out and then spend time next to the cage talking to him and letting him get used to you without him feeling any pressure)
A second piggy is definitely a good idea, piggys need piggy company, they like having a friend to talk to and cuddle with, especially if you will be going out to work.
Could you show your fiance this forum and some research and sell the idea of a friend for Klaus that way?
Guinea pigs have minds of their own, as long as you have a thick layer of bedding down and clean it often, there is no reason to worry if he is kicking his food out of the bowl. What type of food do you feed, is it muesli or pellets?
If it is muesli, it could be that he is digging around trying to find the tasty bits to eat and knocking it out in the process. This is why most people prefer pellets, it all tastes the same so you know that they will be getting all the good nutrition as well as the fatty treats.
Sounds like you've found the answer, after only a week, he will still be getting used to you and a lot of time out of the cage will be a lot for him to handle.
(Not suggesting you leave him in the cage constantly of course, but perhaps try shorter periods out and then spend time next to the cage talking to him and letting him get used to you without him feeling any pressure)
A second piggy is definitely a good idea, piggys need piggy company, they like having a friend to talk to and cuddle with, especially if you will be going out to work.
Could you show your fiance this forum and some research and sell the idea of a friend for Klaus that way?
Guinea pigs have minds of their own, as long as you have a thick layer of bedding down and clean it often, there is no reason to worry if he is kicking his food out of the bowl. What type of food do you feed, is it muesli or pellets?
If it is muesli, it could be that he is digging around trying to find the tasty bits to eat and knocking it out in the process. This is why most people prefer pellets, it all tastes the same so you know that they will be getting all the good nutrition as well as the fatty treats.
(Not suggesting you leave him in the cage constantly of course, but perhaps try shorter periods out and then spend time next to the cage talking to him and letting him get used to you without him feeling any pressure)
A second piggy is definitely a good idea, piggys need piggy company, they like having a friend to talk to and cuddle with, especially if you will be going out to work.
Could you show your fiance this forum and some research and sell the idea of a friend for Klaus that way?
Guinea pigs have minds of their own, as long as you have a thick layer of bedding down and clean it often, there is no reason to worry if he is kicking his food out of the bowl. What type of food do you feed, is it muesli or pellets?
If it is muesli, it could be that he is digging around trying to find the tasty bits to eat and knocking it out in the process. This is why most people prefer pellets, it all tastes the same so you know that they will be getting all the good nutrition as well as the fatty treats.
Lil-Ninnibig
Teenage Guinea Pig
Is it a hard painful bite or gentle? Ditto sometimes really gently nibbles my arm and then licks it then nips again with very little pressure it causes no pain and its not agressive i like to think its his way of comfort and affection
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he could be telling you he needs a wee! most guinea pigs dont like to wee on humans mine lets me know by squeaking! x
Freela
Senior Guinea Pig
Is it a hard bite, or a nibble? One of my pigs is a nibbler... she will lick and then lightly nibble on our hands. She's not being aggressive, I think she is just trying to figure out if we are edible! We do generally move our hand or otherwise discourage her just because I don't want the nibbling to get any more aggressive, but she is 2.5 years and has never delivered an actual painful bite.
Julesie
Senior Guinea Pig
It can mean a few things.
Testing their limits as he's young like you said.
He could need a wee. Guinea pigs will nibble or tug, bite your clothes or you if they need a wee sometimes.
You might have accidentally hurt him by pulling a bit or fur if he's a longer haired piggie. I've done that and got a nip in return.
Do your fingers smell of food? He might be nibbling tasting your fingers mistaking it for food.
Or you may have a piggie who doesn't realise its a bad thing and likes to nibble. It's rare but occasionally you can get biters.
Testing their limits as he's young like you said.
He could need a wee. Guinea pigs will nibble or tug, bite your clothes or you if they need a wee sometimes.
You might have accidentally hurt him by pulling a bit or fur if he's a longer haired piggie. I've done that and got a nip in return.
Do your fingers smell of food? He might be nibbling tasting your fingers mistaking it for food.
Or you may have a piggie who doesn't realise its a bad thing and likes to nibble. It's rare but occasionally you can get biters.
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