Any Other Reasons A Pig Could Be Biting?

[Emz1999]

Hi all,

I've owned piggies for the last ten years (actually it's the majority of my life) and had 9 of them in that time, with 4 with me now so I think I'm fairly well versed in piggie language. For those who have read my recent threads will know the recent two joined a few months ago.

I know piggies tend to be more inclined to nip early on as they settle down, then this turns into gentle nibbles and sometimes licks as they get to know the owner. This has happened for all pigs except Daisy. Rosie, who she came with, always comes up tongue first if I'm reaching in to pick up something and is always keen to greet with a sniff and a lick. But Daisy hasn't progressed onto this stage. She won't even sniff or give a 'testing the water' nibble to give an indication the next stage will be a nip. She goes straight into a bite.

It doesn't bother me, but it has got me and everyone else curious as to why she just seems so nippy. Perhaps she doesn't realise that she's actually biting and not just nibbling? She doesn't draw blood, it just hurts.

She can be a bit nippy at cuddle time too, but this only appears to be if I go anywhere near her face and I've got this message and no longer put my hands near there. But it doesn't explain why she does it in the enclosure as I'm not going near her, and she comes up to me to do it. I'm thinking now it's perhaps a territorial thing, but she doesn't appear to be a very dominant piggie.

Does anyone else have any ideas as to why she nips? Regardless, she is staying for life and even if she nips till the end then so be it. She won't be interacting with children so it's not a problem.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

I've owned piggies for the last ten years (actually it's the majority of my life) and had 9 of them in that time, with 4 with me now so I think I'm fairly well versed in piggie language. For those who have read my recent threads will know the recent two joined a few months ago.

I know piggies tend to be more inclined to nip early on as they settle down, then this turns into gentle nibbles and sometimes licks as they get to know the owner. This has happened for all pigs except Daisy. Rosie, who she came with, always comes up tongue first if I'm reaching in to pick up something and is always keen to greet with a sniff and a lick. But Daisy hasn't progressed onto this stage. She won't even sniff or give a 'testing the water' nibble to give an indication the next stage will be a nip. She goes straight into a bite.

It doesn't bother me, but it has got me and everyone else curious as to why she just seems so nippy. Perhaps she doesn't realise that she's actually biting and not just nibbling? She doesn't draw blood, it just hurts.

She can be a bit nippy at cuddle time too, but this only appears to be if I go anywhere near her face and I've got this message and no longer put my hands near there. But it doesn't explain why she does it in the enclosure as I'm not going near her, and she comes up to me to do it. I'm thinking now it's perhaps a territorial thing, but she doesn't appear to be a very dominant piggie.

Does anyone else have any ideas as to why she nips? Regardless, she is staying for life and even if she nips till the end then so be it. She won't be interacting with children so it's not a problem.

Hi!

You may find the chapter on dominance tweaks in our biting guide interesting and helpful. We recommend to put the issue into a framework that a guinea pig understands (welcome/love and dominance) and to use guinea pig body language or (if you want) a spot of 'piggy whispering' to sort the issue.
I have copied this behaviour from watching how socially adept piggies establish their dominance in a friendly way and nip any unwanted behaviours from a new mate in the bud. It is surprisingly effective. Always start with friendly dominance and love before you assert your dominance in the behaviours you do not want to see more directly, followed again by a reassurance that your piggy is welcomed and loved. You basically take the role of a superpig or supermum.
" Biting" And What You Can Do

 

[Emz1999]

Hi!

You may find the chapter on dominance tweaks in our biting guide interesting and helpful. We recommend to put the issue into a framework that a guinea pig understands (welcome/love and dominance) and to use guinea pig body language or (if you want) a spot of 'piggy whispering' to sort the issue.
I have copied this behaviour from watching how socially adept piggies establish their dominance in a friendly way and nip any unwanted behaviours from a new mate in the bud. It is surprisingly effective. Always start with friendly dominance and love before you assert your dominance in the behaviours you do not want to see more directly, followed again by a reassurance that your piggy is welcomed and loved. You basically take the role of a superpig or supermum.
" Biting" And What You Can Do

I'm a bit delayed in getting back to you and sharing my experience for anyone who was interested in following this thread.

I followed the instructions and it worked. She still can be a bit bitey in the cage but on my lap she is so affectionate now. She now leads from her tongue and my hands get smothered in piggie saliva. I had my doubts but it worked. Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the update! Glad that my piggy whispering tips have worked for you!