what to do with a grumpy guinea pig

[roadybar]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice regarding one of my guineas. I have two male guinea pigs both one and half years old (Tufti and Bobbie). Both have been handled exactly the same since I got them at 8 weeks (I handle them everyday) - one of them is lovely but the other one always tries to scratch and sometimes bite me when I handle him. Cutting his claws is almost impossible and he won't tolerate me brushing him. When I am holding him he constantly nips at my clothes and if I don't have enough layers on he nips my skin. I have two young children who can't handle him as he tries to bite them. He has always been like that so don't think it's an age thing. The lovely one (Tufti) was neutered six months ago as they both fought really badly (so as to draw blood) when they were about 1 year old. This has been successful in stopping the fighting.

So what I'm wondering is whether to try and re-home the nibbly guinea pig as a more experienced owner might be able to handle him better and I don't get much pleasure from having him to be perfectly honest. However, I wouldn't want to leave one on their own so would get a new one for a companion (possibly a female this time?). Is this wise? Can new guinea pigs successfully be introduced to a neutered boar?

Does anyone have any advice? I have kept guinea pigs before but have never had a problem like this as they have always been very good natured.

Please help!

 

[piggyfan]

Neutering does not change boar behaviour but having one neutered and not the other will cause problems. I would have Bobbie neutered too so he is not trying to dominate so much. I hope that helps the hierarchy and you can keep him. Usually once blood is drawn guinea pigs can no longer live together so I amazed they stopped fighting.

 

[teadragon]

It doesn't make sense to say that neutering doesn't change a boars behaviour but that having one neutered and one not will not work. If we were discussing rabbits or any other animal I would completely agree with you but not with pigs (I do agree that it's unlikely the neuter changed the behaviour I'm only commenting on your second comment about having to neuter both). The reason neutering doesn't affect a boars behaviour is because it does not lower their testosterone levels enough to stop their boarish behaviours, it only guarantees disabling the swimmers. It's more likely that the reason the boys began to get on is because the fighting caused one or the other to stop being a jerk to the other.

roadybar - I am not really sure what to recommend with Bobbie as I'm not sure whether you are only planning on rehoming him or if you're willing to try and work with Bobbie to keep him. Most of the guinea pigs I have met who have been nippy have been hurt - often not intentionally - by their previous owner or are simply trying to communicate with their owner that they don't like something... no, they really don't like something and when their owner still doesn't listen they make their owner listen with a nip which works. It could be that Bobbie just isn't a lap pig, it could be that he isn't happy with his environment, and it could simply be that he doesn't like being held how he's being held and he feels uncomfortable and unsafe and just wants back in the cage with his friend please.

You could try having your children only do lap-time-with veggies with Bobbie and use this to teach them that pig personalities and likes or dislikes are there to be respected (Bobbie only likes getting his dinner but doesn't like cuddles, but Tufti loves getting cuddles and his dinner!)

You can attempt to introduce a sow or another boar to Tufti and it's likely that you will be successful.

My boar, Scribble, is quite opinionated about having his long fur trimmed, washed and his nails clipped. I whip out a towel and make sure he has his face in lettuce and sing over his protests.

 

[piggyfan]

It doesn't make sense to say that neutering doesn't change a boars behaviour but that having one neutered and one not will not work. .

I thought a unneutered boar would be more dominant then a neutered boar?

 

[teadragon]

I thought a unneutered boar would be more dominant then a neutered boar?

Not in guinea pigs, no. Neutering a guinea pig won't affect aggression, dominance or sexual behaviour in guinea pigs. The only non-medical reason to neuter a boar is that you want him to live with sows. You are right that in other animals a neutered male or female animal is likely to become less dominant/hormone driven.

http://www.cavyspirit.com/neutering.htm
http://www.guineapigwelfare.org.uk/guinea-pig-care/health/neutering-spaying-and-castrating/

 

[piggyfan]

Wow I never knew a neutered and unneutered boar could live together.

 

[roadybar]

I also read that neutering wouldn't change behaviour but it really did! They instantly stopped fighting (and they were really really going for it at the time) but as soon as operation was done they were friends. Bobbie still tries to annoy Tufti at times but Tufti is very mature about it and ignores it!

Thanks for info re: introducing new guinea pig might be ok, I feel bad to have to get one rehomed but it might actually be in his best interests if he doesn't like the environment/company etc. Funnily enough he seems the most clingy (if Tufti isn't there e.g. in run he gets quite anxious) whereas Tufti seems to take him of leave him! Will have to think some more!