biting

[WildKingdom]

I have read that Guinea Pigs rarely bite. Do I have the only nippers out there? Porky has bitten me three times (probably because he had mites at the time) and drawn blood twice! Patches nipped me just today while trying to clip his nails.

 

[Emily F.]

Oscar does that too

Hey, sorry to hear about your gp's biting problem. My guinea pig (oscar) bites sometimes...if you put your finger or ANYTHING else by his mouth. He is about a month old, so if anyone has any training tips on how to get him to stop biting?? I hold and play with him noon-stop, about 6 times a day, or more. My family LOVES him....even though my dad says he's ugly. LoL. He just nips, not really a hard bite.


Lots of Love,

Em

P.S. Thanks!

 

[ChadWPB]

I have read that Guinea Pigs rarely bite. Do I have the only nippers out there? Porky has bitten me three times (probably because he had mites at the time) and drawn blood twice! Patches nipped me just today while trying to clip his nails.

Does Porky still bite, even after treatment? He may have been a biter only because of the mites.

Nail clipping can be stressful for a pig. that's why we have two people for the nail clippings here. One to clip and the other to distract the piggie with a veggie treat (carrots work quite well).

Seems like your pigs are only biting when stressed, and that is not really a problem. It's normal.

 

[beccapooka]

I have read that Guinea Pigs rarely bite. Do I have the only nippers out there? Porky has bitten me three times (probably because he had mites at the time) and drawn blood twice! Patches nipped me just today while trying to clip his nails.

Buttercup doesn't bite. She licks us, and she chews on our clothes (something that my husband does not take kindly to.)

Princess only bites when lap time is over. She doesn't like to be picked up, but once I've got her she'll sit on my lap forever. (I call her my lap cat.) When lap time is over and we head back to the cage she gets nippy. She doesn't bite hard, and I have pretty much learned to hold the hand that she tries to bite as flat as possible while still making sure she is secure. She does this even when I know she is ready to go back. I can't figure it out.

Rebecca
Not much help

 

[Treen]

Here's a good page of information on biting https://www.cavyspirit.com/biting.htm - all about the various reasons why they might do it and what you can do to help.

 

[WildKingdom]

Thanks for all the advice! The book I read made it sound like they never bite even when scared or stressed. Out of our 3 pigs, Beans has never bitten and loves to be held (when we can catch him . I guess Porky bit because he had mites when we got him. He is the absolute sweetest thing now and has done a complete personality change. He will still lightly nip when he's had enough cuddle time though. Patches on the other hand is just a little stinker! He races all over his cage and JUMPS on top of his Pigloo all the time. I didn't know GPs could jump like that. He is hilarious. I think he just may be hyper. He's still a baby too maybe he needs to outgrow it.

 

[cavylover]

Me what i've been doing for Tai for about 2 weeks now im sticking my finger in his mouth and letting him lick it and kinda naw on it.HE used to bite pretty hard now its a gentle squeeze.justg a small sugestion which worked

 

[BaysideBandGeek]

I don't think pigs usually intend to hurt us. My 2 boys constantly lick and nibble my hand, arms, feet, neck, and sometimes they nibble a little hard. We've had them about a month and only once have they drawn blood, I think it was unintentional though. If you don't want them to bite/nibble/naw just make sure you keep your fingers away from their mouth. If I hold my hand still for even a second he's licking and nibble away... it tickles

 

[raw810]

Emily same happenion to me

hey i have a 4 months old cavy and he seems to biting and nibblin my finger i dont think is hunger but will he stop when he gerts older??? ty

 

[BaysideBandGeek]

hey i have a 4 months old cavy and he seems to biting and nibblin my finger i dont think is hunger but will he stop when he gerts older??? ty

Probably not. When a pig nibbles and licks, it's usually a good side. He/she is trying to groom you, as if you were another playmate. It's more a sign of affection. If he/she is biting a little hard, just don't keep your fingers near his/her mouth.

 

[raw810]

[ty geek for ur help now i wont be afraid that he is hungry or hes mad at me

 

[LiciaMommycott]

My piggies only bit when they were little. Especially when I was silly and didn't wash my hands after cutting up the peaches I was feeding them. I don't think they knew the difference between my fingers and food. Once they got older, they both grew out of it. I'm still careful though and don't let my fingers linger too close to their mouths.