piggies nipping?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jaclyn23
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jaclyn23

Well my new piggy hasn't nipped me (well yet and hopefully not ever lol).... but I am always worried she will... I mean after all I've never really had a chance to pick her up or pet her yet since she's still kinda scared of me. Do they bite much? Oh and I've heard people talking about wheeking... what is that? And do they have a language? Like different noises mean different things? can anyone post/tell me on what all the sounds mean and what all of them are?


As you can see I'm very new to piggy care :-\
 
I've never know my piggies to nip. I suppose its like any animal really, if you act confident when you pick them up and handle them, they will become less nervous themselves and will be less like to act in defence. They will be scared ar first, and will runa round all over the shop to avoid being picked up. Just chat to them while you're doing it, so they get used to the sound of you...it'll take time, but they will get used to you....

As for sounds, there is a whole catalogue of them! Someone sent me a link to a really good website on guinea noises...can't find it now but someone on here might be able to point you in the right direction! I must say tho, mine are very quiet piggies and the only sound i've heard them make so far is a cooing/dove type sound. Which is one of contentment apparently! Wheeking can be either because the piggie is scared or startled, or once they know you, they often use this sound to beg for food!

Piggies are quite intelligent creatures!
 
mine has nipped me in the past but i think it was accidental and its like a little pinch, he doesnt now but he is a grumpy little sod! he rumbled at me as he didnt want to come out of his run ! if youre nervous wear a sweater until you both learn to trust eachother, if you type in guinealynx I'm sure that s the right name , it gives you tips re nipping etc and plenty more too.

i think if youre nervous they do sense it ! good luck O0
 
AHH HELP

I bet they do sense it =/. I just get nervous when I try to handle her, and it makes me feel sooo bad =/. She wheeks and squeals it's so sad, I tried picking her up today... but she ran all over and I tried to go slow, but everytime I tried to touch her she'd run really fast. Infact she was so scared of me trying to pick her up she tried to dig for safety! I don't remember how long I "chased" her around but it was a while... I gave up since she seemed tired, really frightened and sad (idk if they can cry but her eyes where wet looking)... Oh my god it made me feel terrible, I'm not giving up but for today I'm done bothering her. Now she's just laying there all stretched out on her bedding. I don't know what to do! Everytime I tried to pick her up she'd run, or I wouldn't feel comfortable squeezing or officially grabbing her. I hope this hasn't affected her happiness, of comfortableness with her home, or me. I want her to trust me but did this day of "chasing" her just make it harder for both of us? URGH I need help =/. I hope I didn't make her depressed or anything.. any one have opinions if she's okay... or how to grab her the right way. she's still afraid of me touching her altogether HELP
 
One of my piggies , Spice has only nipped me once and it was a bit of a shock but it didnt draw blood or anything. Guinea pigs rarely bite. Wheeking is the guinea pig noise! It's quite a high pitched squeaking!
 
Jaclyn, try not to worry :) all piggies do this when they move to a new home with new people, try to imagine being a tiny being with these scary big noisy things trying to grab at you. I have a piggie who was mishandled before he came to us and he's so much better, but if he's feeling skittish he can still give the odd squeal when we try to pick him up - other times he will come quite willingly.

Just be patient and gentle. You are right, the last thing you want to do is squeeze them as it can hurt them. We despaired with our first piggies as it felt we were constantly harassing them! But with time and care, they learn to trust you, but it can take a while, so please try not to freak out. They will pick up on your nerves :) Piggies may nip if they feel unsafe, so just make sure you hold them correctly and they will be fine. Regarding piggie sounds try this site, it may help a bit :)

http://www.mgpr.org/MGPR/Guinea Pig Sounds.htm
 
thanks that was reassuring lol.... Ahh it always makes me feel bad, I'll eventually pick her up I guess, but I hope if I have to keep chasing her she will eventually get used to me .
 
Dont feel bad, its natural for them to run away when youre trying to pick them up, dont give up, offer treats and give her stroke s behind the ears or under the chin then gradually build it up to picking her up. Mines 2yrs old and he stills runs from me at times ::)
 
I recently got 2 new piggies and one of mine nips a lot - but it doesn't hurt. Its just a bit frightened that a big giant hand has went in and grabbed it. She's fine once she's sitting in my lap. She always cries for the other one as well if I only take one out a time. ;)
 
Mine has nipped ,, but I think it is because I didnt have a gnawing stick ,, now that I have one he doesnt nip anymore ,, Try that technique :laugh:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top