Okay, first of all, hi! I'm a new pig mom but I've been lurking around this forum since before getting my little guy.
So my little guy, Finn, is probably no older than 10 months. Ive had him for about 4 months. Hes not in the biggest cage, but hes got enough space. I will admit that he does not get out of his cage as much as I wanted, but he has plenty of enrichment, playtime, and we "talk" to each other all the time.
My issue is that, he has been a constant nibbler for months now. As soon as my fingers are in or near his cage, he comes up to nibble. At first, he never bit down except for the one or two times that I picked him and didnt support him well. It seemed part thinking I'm food. Then part exploring. But now, he is always nibbling and often biting down. I've tried telling him no, moving fingers away, and blowing lightly on his nose. However he hasnt stopped. Lately when I handle him, he nibbles and bites lightly but bites down whenever i get him out of his cage, but also whenever my hand is in or near his cage.
I believe that we are mostly bonded, because he always, always approaches me when I'm near his cage. He will wheek at me and chat and get exciting (popcorning, playing, etc) whenever I talk to him. He always takes food from my hand now (even if I just startled him). Whereas when I first got him, he spent more time frozen, hiding, or cautious. So, I think were pretty good. When I hold him, hes not always as eager to be held, but he often seems happy. He chills with me, sometimes nibbles or crawls around me. He rarely hides in his little hut, and often watches or just seems to be chilling with me.
Tldr: young guinea pig who generally seems happy with me is constantly nibbling and now biting down more with his constant nibbles. Always approaches when I'm at cage, immediately nibbles fingers and now bites down. The biting down isnt too hard like. Hes never drawn blood, and it seems different from the time he actually really bit hard because I didnt have his back legs supported well. But it does hurt a smidge. It always comes after the regular nibbles, like hes just increasing pressure as he does his thing.
I'm worried that I'm doing something wrong, that he could be aggressive or unhappy, and that it is uncomfortable and starting to hurr.
Thank you! I'm so sorry for the immensely long post. I just wanted to give proper background
So my little guy, Finn, is probably no older than 10 months. Ive had him for about 4 months. Hes not in the biggest cage, but hes got enough space. I will admit that he does not get out of his cage as much as I wanted, but he has plenty of enrichment, playtime, and we "talk" to each other all the time.
My issue is that, he has been a constant nibbler for months now. As soon as my fingers are in or near his cage, he comes up to nibble. At first, he never bit down except for the one or two times that I picked him and didnt support him well. It seemed part thinking I'm food. Then part exploring. But now, he is always nibbling and often biting down. I've tried telling him no, moving fingers away, and blowing lightly on his nose. However he hasnt stopped. Lately when I handle him, he nibbles and bites lightly but bites down whenever i get him out of his cage, but also whenever my hand is in or near his cage.
I believe that we are mostly bonded, because he always, always approaches me when I'm near his cage. He will wheek at me and chat and get exciting (popcorning, playing, etc) whenever I talk to him. He always takes food from my hand now (even if I just startled him). Whereas when I first got him, he spent more time frozen, hiding, or cautious. So, I think were pretty good. When I hold him, hes not always as eager to be held, but he often seems happy. He chills with me, sometimes nibbles or crawls around me. He rarely hides in his little hut, and often watches or just seems to be chilling with me.
Tldr: young guinea pig who generally seems happy with me is constantly nibbling and now biting down more with his constant nibbles. Always approaches when I'm at cage, immediately nibbles fingers and now bites down. The biting down isnt too hard like. Hes never drawn blood, and it seems different from the time he actually really bit hard because I didnt have his back legs supported well. But it does hurt a smidge. It always comes after the regular nibbles, like hes just increasing pressure as he does his thing.
I'm worried that I'm doing something wrong, that he could be aggressive or unhappy, and that it is uncomfortable and starting to hurr.
Thank you! I'm so sorry for the immensely long post. I just wanted to give proper background