Angry Guinea Pig

M

masterpo

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I just recently bought a guinea pig. He is always angry and will bite me all the time. He is normally only angry when he pulls all of his hay out of his hay rack and wants me to clean the cage. Now he is constantly angry unless I give him treats that I just bought for him yesterday. I do not give him treats unless I give him floor time, so he is very angry all the time. I have no idea what to do. If it helps, he is around 2 months old.
 
These little prey animals don't get cross like people do - they just worry that they're about to be eaten pretty much all the time! Yours is only a baby and every stroke or fuss might be a fight for his life... until he manages to conquer that fear and learn the daily routine (and it helps to have one) he'll be freaking out. Noises which seem normal to us can be super loud to them so I don't put my radio anywhere near the piggie cage and if my husband plays the piano I shut the door on him!

I don't think your boy pulls all the hay out to make you clean the cage - it might just be that it's keeping him busy. My boar empties his hay-ball onto the floor and eats it from there, even though there is a separate pile on the floor close by anyway. My boar is also alone right now - he lost his cage-mate and we are trying so hard to find him a friend. Your little fellow does need a friend too... if you only recently got him perhaps there are still other ones in the store(?) or rescue(?) wherever you got him from that he might remember. You could ask whether he had a pal that he hung around with as they do like some better than others (just like people!) They suffer when they are alone - my boy would just hide away all day if I let him and this is very different to how he was with other guinea-pigs.

PS you don't need to buy the pet store 'treats'... they love a little bit of fresh vegetable so much! A little piece of bell pepper, cucumber, lettuce - there are lots of guides on this site. They don't all like everything - mine never touch basil or coriander but for some piggies that's a favourite! If you just do tiny pieces from your hand one after the other he will get to associate you with the food ☺
 
Your little boy is scared right now as in really petrified scared. Put yourself in his position. He has been pulled away from the family he's grown up in. He is still a baby desperately needing the guidance of older piggies to teach him how to behave and learn to be a guinea pig (think of it as piggy nursery). He has been put in a strange environment with strange noises and smells. A big smelly (to him) giant (you) might eat him at any time (you know you would never do this but he doesn't). He isn't an angry boy he is just a very very frightened little baby guinea pig.
 
he is just scared of you right now.. guinea pigs are prey animals and very scared when being put in a new environment and around new people. He is very little and is by himself I would recommend just slowly taming him by hand feeding, sitting by the cage and talking, let him sniff you. A friend would be really good for him too, it would give him company and let him feel less alone and scared.
 
You’ve been given very good advise and links above. Just to pick up on one of your points. You say he’s angry when he pulls hay out the rack and wants you to clean the cage. Guinea pigs are clever (more than people think) but they’re not that clever. He’s likely pulling it out because they prefer their hay on the floor where they can eat, relax/lie, poo, snooze and pee in it. I would put a large pile of hay in his cage for him.

When did you get him? It’s always advised you give them time to settle in before you think about handling etc. And bear in mind he may not like it, so go with what he feels rather than how you think he should act.
 
My guinea pigs love spreading their hay around the cage. It might start off in a nice pile in the morning but within 5 mins it’s spread all around the cage so it’s exactly where they want it. This is their way of playing and they get really excited when I take the wet hay out and put the fresh hay in so they can do it all over again. It’s great fun for them and also great fun for me because I love seeing them popcorn around their cage when they know fresh hay is on the way.
 
Are you interpreting squeaking as anger? Looks like you really need to learn his language to hear what he is really saying, you'll probably be surprised.

Here's some info about why we sometimes interpret their early behaviour as aggression or dislike and what they are really trying to say. (Oh and please do try to get him a friend, they're so much happier in same-sex pairs!)

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
 
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