Guinea pig chatter

[Jane_G]

Does anyone's guinea pig chatter and nip when you are cleaning out the cage? I keep Cookie in her cage when I do the daily pick up or when I change the litter in her kitchen. She always chatters at me. At first I thought she just didn't like me interrupting her day, but this afternoon when I was cleaning up, she actually came up to me and nipped my hand! It didn't hurt, but it sure surprised me.

Any advice on this?

[Butterscotch2]

Well, I don't know what to stay. Maybe because Cookie likes her terrioty the way it is. Butterscotch comes up to me, squeaks, and then licks my hand.

[Pumpkin_RIP]

She is possible territorial. I know I pig that gets mad when you try to clean up their food bowl. Next time she tries to nip, just tell her "No" firmly with a different voice, and put your hand up to block her. Or you could just take her out of the cage.

[SerpentineSylph]

Well, I mean it is a big foreign thing inside her cage moving things around, and taking away her scent from her turf. So, if you think of it that way, you can understand a little more. Don't yell at her or anything (it'll just scare her), or meet her territorial behavior with your own and push back or something. I would consider maybe using a ladle to scoop out the poops in her cage. She'll be just as feisty about the ladle moving the poops, but then there's no reaction to her aggression so perhaps in time she'll stop.

Good luck!