Cage Biting

[WinnieandLuna]

Hey guys, I rescued two guinea pigs a couple of months ago. One is very vocal and the other less so and a little shy. She chews on the bars when she hears the food bag rather than wheeking like her sister. The problem is she has started doing it in the middle of the night as a way to ask for food I’m presuming. Before there is questions the hay is fully stocked before I go to bed, I feed them pellets at that time also and the cage is a 2x5 c and c so plenty of space and chew toys in there that she has 0 interest in . I’m really worried she is going to damage her teeth she can go on chewing the bars for a long time and I get up and give her a few pellets or hay to make her stop But even when I stopped getting up to give her food for two weeks she still continues to bite the bars throughout the night.
I would appreciate any advice please ,
Sincerely a guinea pig mom who hasn’t had a full nights sleep in weeks

 

[Siikibam]

You need to learn to ignore the behaviour if it’s not at veg time. So when she chews at night you shouldn’t get up and give her anything. If their hay is fresh enough and topped up before bed then they’re fine. You could also cover the grids with cardboard so she can’t chew on them. Piggies aren’t interested in chew toys. Have a look at the guide I’ve linked below.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[WinnieandLuna]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have ignored it for weeks but she does it regardless, during the day also and I’m mostly worried about her teeth. I replenish the hay three times a day so it’s always fresh. I’m going to try and cover the panels with cardboard. Thank you

 

[Free Ranger]

Does she always chew at the same bit? Just a suggestion, but can she see something she wants to get to on the other side of the bars? For instance, is that the direction you go off in to get veggies or hay? Maybe she's thinking she can go and help herself!

I had a 'nocturnal' drinker - it was the rattle of teeth on the water bottle that used to wake me.