Piggy turning aggressive

[kay_xx]

The snuggly piggy who always fell asleep on my lap.

Has now turned really aggressive. It literally took me about half an hour to get him out the run and into his hutch yesterday. He was teeth chattering and biting me anytime I tried to get him. I had to leave him to calm down then it started raining. As soon as I have him out he turns and bites my hands, not broken the skin yet. I know boars of his age can be a little aggressive but not this bad. He is nearly 4 months old. Already on his own as he bit my other piggy causing his face to swell. My old piggy was never like this and I had up until he was 8 months old, he was always so sweet and never bit me.

I don't get how an animal that was so sweet and soppy can become like this. So frustrating, I want the friendly little pig back!

 

[Shellza]

Is there any chance he could have mites or something similar? I know pigs can get snappy if they have sore skin from mites or fungal infections. May be something to consider if he's not his normal self. Other than that I don't really know what to suggest.

 

[Sarah-sore]

Bump.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, sorry to hear your piggy is behaving this way.

more times than not aggression in guinea pigs is based in fear. it is possible that something has frightened him while out in his run, such as cat, unfamiliar noises or even the wind blowing in the bushes. when in his run does he have tubes or hidey houses he can run to when spooked? it is very important that piggies have access to "bolt holes" at all times, as being prey animals they have evolved to run first and think later. if there is no where safe to run to it can be very stressful even for confident pigs.

unfortunately, if he is already feeling scared when you try to catch him, part of his brain will be telling him that you are a preditor and he will try very hard to escape. his teeth chattering is a warning to you and he may bite in self defence as he is feeling threatened.

the best way to catch him is to herd (not chase) him into a tube or pigloo, etc and pick that up with him inside and put it in his hutch so he can then walk out on his own. give him some time to chill and when he is feeling more calm try to reasure him with a little cuddle and some of his favourite veg. when you pick him up use two hands to scoop him up rather than bringing a hand down from above as this is bit like a preditors jaws or claws coming down and can be frightening. if he runs away never snatch at him, as again this is preditor like.

i am sure with a little time and patience he will become more relaxed and trusting again

 

[MishImpossible]

Hi Kay,
My boys got uncharacteristically grumpy when they had a fungal infection. As the other posters have mentioned, it could be a skin condition.
Just think about when we're ill, we get grumpy and snappy too!