Teeth Chattering

[Celliott215]

I have two lovely pigs. One of them seems to chatter her teeth quite often. I understand it's usually a warning sign or a sign of anger, but she does it when she climbs on me or is just in the cage minding her own business. If she does it when I'm around I try to back away from her, but she loves to come and climb on me. Is there another meaning to teeth chattering?

 

[Stewybus]

As well as a warning it's a sign of being scared & you just need to build a trusting bond between you and your piggies. If any of mine did it I'd just tickle them between their ears or the back of the neck. Mine also sometimes do a form of teeth chattering when they're expecting a little treat.

 

[PiggieLove]

Teeth chattering is a sign of an unhappy or upset piggie.

One of mine chatters quite a lot - she's a grumpy old sod! She has definitely improved as I've gained her trust over they years, but some guinea pigs (usually the more dominant ones) will chatter more than others for all different reasons.

Females will get more chattery and grumpy than normal when they come into season - like us humans I suppose. They may also chatter if they feel threatened (eg. if you are petting her). If you hear her chattering whilst in her cage, she is probably just being moody and bossy towards your other guinea pig.

You are doing the right thing - just back off and let her be if she chatters. Don't worry, you're not doing anything wrong