Random Biting

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Annie Robbins

Annie Robbins

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Hi,
So I have a 4 month old guinea pig. She lives by herself because I do not have the room for two sadly. I handler her a lot and she has a lot of toys to keep her occupied. She lives a spoiled life. She has now started to bite me (not breaking skin, but more than nibbles). She swings her head back randomly and bites me when I am petting her (put she is chutting at the same time). And when I go to move/pick her off of my lap properly, she bites me. What am I doing wrong? Will she grow out of this? What does this mean? Is she not bonding to me?
 
Biting is usually happening out of either fear or pain. Are you just suddenly putting your hands on her to pick her up? Or doing it slowly so she knows what is happening. If she's only just started doing it then it could be down to pain and a vet visit would be advised. Obviously having 2 would be better and perhaps if it is fear calm her down a bit. I myself only have Mo at the minute- had three friends coming but the first time Mo came down with a suspected URI that turned out to be a hay allergy (better safe then sorry I suppose),the next piggy sadly passed away and the third is a no because I found out the rest of the pigs they keep came down with something and many died- still searching though lol.
 
Hi and welcome :)

I agree with Jesse. It sounds like she is 'tweaking' at you to get her own way. The chutting may be a sign of annoyance too and she is telling you she want to be put back. Guinea pig sounds can be a little hard to interpret at times, so it's best to go on body language. Head-butting is another sign that she wants you to stop.
Not all piggies are lap-piggies, and out of those who are, sometimes it can take months before they properly relax.
I agree also that a friend would be the best option for her, they are naturally herd animals. May I ask how large your age is? I don't want to sound intrusive.

Here is a link on biting and tweaking: " Biting" And What You Can Do The tweaking part is in the third post down.
 
Yep possibly a fear reaction, or you're doing something she really doesn't like (even moving too fast etc).

Obviously she would be much happier with a friend, just a 4 foot by 2 foot cage would be needed for two which isn't a lot.

I personally think a 4 month old piggy being on her own for potentially another 5-8 years will be quite lonely for her. One more doesn't take up much space or time :) Definitely worth considering.
 
Annie Robbins said:
Hi,
So I have a 4 month old guinea pig. She lives by herself because I do not have the room for two sadly. I handler her a lot and she has a lot of toys to keep her occupied. She lives a spoiled life. She has now started to bite me (not breaking skin, but more than nibbles). She swings her head back randomly and bites me when I am petting her (put she is chutting at the same time). And when I go to move/pick her off of my lap properly, she bites me. What am I doing wrong? Will she grow out of this? What does this mean? Is she not bonding to me?
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Your girl is unfortunately showing the classic problems of a single piggy that lacks interaction with its own kind; guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to be on their own. Single guinea pigs often develop unpleasant habits as either an attention seeking measure or as a way to express their unhappiness and test their standing in the relationship they have with a human. :(

Please consider seriously getting her a companion of the same gender and you will find that a lot of the issues will go away on their own. You in turn get to enjoy to watch the lively vocal interaction that makes guinea pigs so unique.
Two guinea pigs need as much minimal ground space as a single piggy, a 2x4 ft cage. Guinea pigs are ground roaming animals that need space to move and run around. They will walk a mile to get to their current grazing grounds in the mornings and evening from a safe resting place.
As much as you pamper your girl, you are withholding the one thing that is really going to make her happy from her. It is sadly a widespread and perpetuated myth and misconception that guinea pigs are natural cuddlers and that a single guinea pig will inevitably turn into the perfect breathing cuddly toy.
And it is sadly very upsetting that pet shops are still allowed to get away selling unsuitable hamster cages for guinea pigs as "starter/single cages" in order to get people's repeat custom whereas buyers would think twice about getting a pet that is denied some basic needs if they had to pay more and find the space for a larger appropriate cage and companionship! I really wish that Switzerland wasn't the only country in the world to make it illegal selling single guinea pigs! :( :( :(

If you do it right, you can eventually bond and cuddle just as well with two guinea pigs than with a single one, but know that you are at the same giving them what THEY really need; especially for all the many hours you are not there with them during the day as well as during the night, as you have another life - she has only got you and what little time you can spare out of 24 hours in a day.
Your little girl is now a teenager and trusting you enough to tell you her dislikes and also try to push the boundaries.;)
Companionship
Cage Size Guide

Please take the time to carefully read these guides. They scratch only the very surface of the amazingly differentiated social behaviour that guinea pigs practise; it has surprised recent researchers just how complex it is!
But they can hopefully help you to understand your girl better and communicate with her in ways that she instinctively understands.
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
" Biting" And What You Can Do
 
Thank you everyone for answering my questions! I am looking into getting another one, but on the chance that I can't.... how should I handle her teenage attitude? I know to not punish her, and I know to keep petting her to reinforce good behavior. What else should I do when she pushes boundaries? I do not want this behavior to become a habit.
 
Annie Robbins said:
Thank you everyone for answering my questions! I am looking into getting another one, but on the chance that I can't.... how should I handle her teenage attitude? I know to not punish her, and I know to keep petting her to reinforce good behavior. What else should I do when she pushes boundaries? I do not want this behavior to become a habit.
Click to expand...

Please read through the guides on piggy whispering, social behaviours and biting that I have given you in my last post. They have all the tips on how you can deal with your girl by using social guinea pig behaviour to establish dominance, tell her off in guinea pig language but also tell her that you love her the way guinea pigs do. As the interaction happens in her language and in ways that she is wired to understand, it is surprisingly effective as a number of forum members can confirm! ;)
 
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