teeth chattering

[ginatrue]

teeth chattering

What does it mean when piggy starts chattering his teeth? He did it when I was holding him today, after a pleasant time of hand feeding him some veggies. Then he seemed to want to move around and after a little squeaking I heard his teeth chattering, so I put him back in his cage. I looked it up in a book I have and it said chattering is a signal of aggression and a warning to it's enemy! True? Thanks again. G.

 

[tggdan3b]

chattering

Teeth chattering usually means the little guy is issueing a warning, or is ticked off. My Gizmo is really friendly, and he'll even climb into your hands when you reach into his cage. But when you try to pick him up after floor time, sometimes he chatters, because he wants to explore more. Sometimes they'll also chatter if they smell other Male guinea pigs on you, or restrain them too much.

-Dan III

 

[michaelince]

Re: teeth chattering

Yes teeth chattering is a sign of aggression / warning.

It could be somthing scared or riled him, he didn't like the way you were handling him, or even that he wanted to be put down (perhaps he needed the toilet).

It may be he has an injury that's painful to touch and may need attention, if he's chattering when you touch or rub particular areas it could be a sign he has mites...

As Dan III implied it doesn't mean he doesn't like you - just that somthing's upsetting him.

 

[ginatrue]

thanks

Thanks both of you for responding. Dan III, how long had you had Mr. Gizmo when he started climbing into your hand; I hope we get to that! Thanks again. G.

 

[tggdan3b]

Gizmo

Let's see, we've had Gizmo since late september/early october. He was our first piggie, so we've played with him the most, of course, and he got the most attention for a while.

He was climbing up in our hands at least by february, and we've even got him streching up to kiss us when we put our face down by the cage in march.

He only really likes to get picked up to be taken out of his cage though- not to be put back in, we have to chase him and catch him to end floor time.

-Dan III