Behavior My Guinea pig is acting strange, does anyone know why? PLEASE HELP!!!

[smileyface009]

Earlier today I was hand feeding my little cutie a treat today and I reached my hand into the cage to pet her while she was eating like I normally do and she started like arching her back and hopping away from me. I do this almost every time I hand feed her and I don't think she's ever acted like this. Does anyone know why she's acting like this? Is this normal guinea pig behavior? Am I doing something wrong? PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[bpatters]

She may be in heat. Or she may not want to be touched on her back. I wouldn't worry about it unless she starts scratching a lot, in which case I'd treat her for mites.

 

[smileyface009]

Thank You! She kind of does scratch a lot more than her cage mate. So maybe she does have mites. How do you treat her? And also would my other guinea pig get mites too? Thanks again!

 

[HollyLeaf]

Thank You! She kind of does scratch a lot more than her cage mate. So maybe she does have mites. How do you treat her? And also would my other guinea pig get mites too? Thanks again!

I have no experience with mites, but i do believe they are contagious, yes. I would treat both of them just to be sure. Ivermectin is what people typically used to treat it, but i dont know much about the stuff itself.

 

[smileyface009]

Thank You for the help!

 

[SquigglyPigs]

You can buy ivermectin online. Lots of people use this one from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Ivermectin-Pour-On-For-Cattle/dp/B00JAL3AAW
Here are the intructions for dosage. It ends up being only about a drop or two behind the ears, depending on their weight.

 

[stray hares]

When you say "hopping" do you mean normal guinea pig walking/running or actual hopping, kind of like a rabbit?

 

[bpatters]

You always treat all the guinea pigs for mites even if you think just one has them.

 

[smileyface009]

like a rabbit sort of i think

 

[Soecara]

What is her diet like? Is it possible she may have fallen from anywhere and hurt herself?

 

[smileyface009]

No, I don't think she has fallen from anywhere and she just eats her timothy hay from small pet select and her pellets from small pet select and then her bell pepper and cilantro treat.

 

[SquigglyPigs]

I have one guinea pig that HATES having her back pet. She kind of bucks her back legs like a horse to get my hand away from her and makes an annoyed sound. She's been treated with ivermectin twice but we've now come to the conclusion that she just doesn't like us touching her spiky hair on her back. She's totally fine being pet on the head and chin though. Maybe your guinea pig just sassy like mine and doesn't like the way you're petting her lol

 

[smileyface009]

Oh ok thanks!