Biting Is there any way to get a piggy to stop biting?

[magoosmom]

I have 2 guineas. Zuri, my black and white, started out pretty shy when I first got her. Now she is the one that comes up to the cage when I come in and puts her paws on it. She's adorable.

BUT she's a biter. Not to the other piggie, but to my fingers, toes, the bars of the cage, you name it. I am constantly having to watch where her mouth is when holding her. God help me if I want to pet her and don't bring a piece of food with me to distract her.

Is there any way to discourage her biting? If it was nibbles, I wouldn't care as much but she bites HARD. She hasn't drawn blood-yet. One funny story: I had read someone saying they like to sit on the floor and let the pigs run and crawl over them so they feel more comfortable. So I tried that. Got comfy, the piggies were sniffing around me. Then...OUCH! Zuri bit me on the TOE. Man, it hurt! LOL

If it makes a difference, she is still a young pig--only about 4-5 months old. And I give her apple wood sticks to chew on. I fill a hay manger up each day and they spend about an hour pulling it all into the cage. Some gets eaten, but most of it is pulled to floor.

Thank you!

 

[magoosmom]

So from the lack of response, I'm guessing the answer is no? LOL Maybe I need to invest in a thick pair of gloves to handle her.

 

[guineapigs2468]

Make sure To wash your hands before you handle her so there is no smell of food on your hands that may make her want to bite. One of my piggies likes to bite and pull on my clothes when she wants to get put back in the cage but its more like nibbles than bites, does your guinea pig bite you as soon as you get her out? It is better to stop the biting at a young age and don't put her back in her cage if she bites you because she may be learning that when she bites you put her back in the cage. The gloves may also help.

 

[bpatters]

The lack of response probably had to do with the time you posted it rather than anyone ignoring you.

I don't know why your toe would smell like food but the suggestion about washing your hands is a good one. Also make sure you don't have on any hand lotion that might smell like food to her.

I'd just say "OW" and move my hand -- she should get the picture eventually. It doesn't sound like she's biting because she has mites.