What does snorting / sneezing mean?

[Gruffalo]

Now we've had our two guinea pigs since late April/early May and they still can't be handled easily as they bite.

We now carry them in the pigloo and have them in the cozy when our our laps (which isn't often now) and have to be very careful of our fingers.

I am commited to them and have vowed to look after them the best I can. They have a huge hutch and run and are cleaned out twice a week with fresh bedding. Fresh hay and dry and fresh food and water each day.

But to be honest they are not what I hoped they would be and if I could turn back time wouldn't have had them.

Also, they keep sneezing, snorting whenever I go near them. What does this mean?

 

[Doeylicious]

Guineas very rarely bit out of aggression towards us. It is normally they are scared or, in the case of my Bumble, want the toilet and we didn't pick up on the fidgeting, so need to be told more forcefully to put them down please.

Do you or your family use any scented soap or strong chemicals or creams on your hands? The reason I ask is guineas have sensitive little noses and can easily pick up the scent of things that may irritate them, such as those ridiculous lavendar shavings shops sell - we might like it, they won't bless them.

How much human contact do they get? For example, do you just sit out with them while in the hutch, or is it all handling? I have found letting a guinea just be there with you helps a lot.

Does anyone ever feed them through their cage bars? This is the easiest way to get a nippy pig and is strictly forbidden in my house, I have had several families bring their guineas and moan they nip and I when I ask if the kids feed them through the bars, the answer is usually 'all the time'.

Another reason for nipping can be hand rearing - JoJo was hand reared and as he learnt from day one (his mother died) that hands/fingers came with milk/food, he liked to eat them. He has now thankfully stopped this habit but it has taken almost a year.

Punishing guineas as you would a horse for example (my horse would get a hefty smack if she ever bit anyone) won't work as such - you need to replicate their language. If a herd member bites another, the bitten one will run off if lower in the herd - which is what you have been doing. Obviously if higher in the herd a full scale war will erupt, which you don't want to be beating your guinea pigs obviously! But you can't back down or put them back, you have to perservere. I can't say if it definitely worked but I used to say 'oi!' in a gruff voice to JoJo, a sound he didn't like, and he didn't get any veggies at all or any treats while being handled for a long time too to break the association 'cuddles mean nomming'.

It will take a lot of time to break this habit as it sounds quite well established unfortunately. If you really regret having them, it may be best to find them a new home if you really feel that way. You being unhappy is not good for them as they will pick up on this, and cause everyone extra stress.

I am NOT meaning to imply you are a bad owner at all as you are clearly trying to solve the problem, but just want you to know there are people who will help you if you're struggling xx

 

[Gruffalo]

Thank you for your reply. Yes we do feed them through the bars, but only started doing this after they started nipping as thought it was a safe way for the children to feed them without getting bitten.

To be quite honest, the bites I have had have been nips but when holding them with my coat on (to protect my arms) one of them bit a hole through it as I was carrying him so neither have had the chance to give a bloody nasty bite.

I do regret having them but wouldn't give them away as the childen say they love them, though they don't give them much attention, they do talk about them and occasionaly hold them in their cozy. I would rather work hard at making them better pets.

If I stroke them anyway their heads turn towards my hand and I pull it away quick, very worried they will bite me.

I sit and talk to them every day, they are handled most days.

I would love for an expert to come over and give me their opinion!

 

[flintstones]

Where are you?

Could it be that they are picking up on your fear. I know my Milo nibbles - but he would never draw blood. I wonder if your pigs aren't actually so bad and it's more a case of not feeling secure.

 

[Gruffalo]

I am on the Herts/Essex border.

Yes to be fair to them they haven't actually attacked me or the kids as such but are very flightly and certainly nip my clothes and anything that comes near them.

Having said that, if I go to their hutch and call their names they come running to the front and squeak at me, so in that way they are friendly.

 

[sars]

Guineapigs are the most inoffensive, non aggressive creatures - if they are biting a human, it's for a reason. They would rather bite themselves than a person!
They would bite c/o pain - have you treated them for mites? Perhaps a Vet visit is in order xx If their skin is uncomfy, they would let you know by the behaviour they are displaying..

There are some wonderful, natural, products available. Neem is Fab - GorgeousGuineas (google!) have lovely baths and melts to improve and help skin condition. Itchy skin can make a guinea VERY bad tempered.

I've taken in very badly treated and neglected piggies. The only time they have nipped us (handlers) is when they are in pain/uncomfy - and that is usually down to a skin condition/itchyness.
3 girls arived here - terribly underweight and fitting due to mites ( which can be carried in straw) - they bit because they were beside themselves with the constant itching.
Once treated and settled, they wouldn't dream of nipping..

 

[Gruffalo]

Thanks, have just ordered the lice and easy shampoo.

Have checked their fur and skin and there is no sign of mites or any skin conditon and I've not seen them scratch.

They appear to be in good health apart from the constant sneezing.