Biting Piggy

[Harvey]

hi, New Guinea pig owner Well we have had rocko a couple of months he's about 4 months. Thing is he's started biting I have read a few posts for advice and tried putting my hand in sideways etc he's doing it when we're going to clap him he's lifting his head and trying to tilt it so he can get to us....he's actually doing it quite a bit and my 10 year old is getting wary of him x

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Well wht instances is he doing this? Is it all the time or when he's had or belives he is having food? I know it can be frustrating and scany because they have suitable big teeth but there has to be a reason behind his biting. Could it be he is scared? Is it possible to get a friend that may build his confidence and do you approach slowly or just bam your hand in suddenly? I would also consider something wrong with his teeth or he may be in pain?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi, is it when you touch him or before you do. I've had piggies that will come over and nibble often as they think everything is food though they have never bitten me and Daisy used to go for me quite often (or appear to) when we had an outbreak of lice which was then because she was in discomfort

 

[Harvey]

Okay we sit down at his cage and go in from the side let him smell he nibbles I proceed to pet him and he tries to turn his head around to get your hand...he's eating plenty is he greedy as in looking for more x

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I think piggies are always looking for more haha! My piggy Mo is a nibbler and it feels weird but he never draws blood. Other times he puts his head up as though to bite and then licks me. It may just be that your piggy is showing affection because nibbling isn't usually associated with aggression.

 

[Harvey]

U think...he's definetly biting tho lol as my boy took a sore one x

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It could be that he's scared, or sometimes piggies will nip if you're touching a painful place or simply don't like to be touched in a certain way. My naughty pig has given me a nip when I was touching a wound (it was painful/irritating) and when touched her belly once, they also don't normally like their bums touched.

Piggies often nip each other when they do something that they don't like, so they would do the same with us.

Either way, it would be worth learning what he does and doesn't like. He would probably calm down once he has a friend too, piggies without a companion are often very stressed and fearful.

Good luck