Defensive spot cleaning

[Ethan3wilson]

Does anyone else have a piggy that doesn’t like when you spot clean their enclosure? I feel like this is just them saying, “hey! What are you doing to my home?” I’m just curious if anyone else has experienced the same thing or what it means. She usually comes up and bites my hand or tries to stand where I’m cleaning. (Other than that she really is a great piggy and loves to be pet and played with)

 

[Eva121]

Mine usually a sniff around and are curious about what I am doing while I spot clean. Does your piggy have a friend?

 

[tatals]

When you say 'bite', do you mean she hurts you? Or is it just nibbling?

Her behavior sounds normal to me. One of my pigs does that, but he is playing. He keeps running around my hands and sniffing and nibbling them while I'm cleaning. He's always popcorning and chutting, so that gives away his happy state. Is it possible she's just trying to bond with you? What's her body language like?

 

[DMS260820]

Does anyone else have a piggy that doesn’t like when you spot clean their enclosure? I feel like this is just them saying, “hey! What are you doing to my home?” I’m just curious if anyone else has experienced the same thing or what it means. She usually comes up and bites my hand or tries to stand where I’m cleaning. (Other than that she really is a great piggy and loves to be pet and played with)

My sow does the same. She thinks shes in charge of me and her husboar Bernie

 

[Wiebke]

Does anyone else have a piggy that doesn’t like when you spot clean their enclosure? I feel like this is just them saying, “hey! What are you doing to my home?” I’m just curious if anyone else has experienced the same thing or what it means. She usually comes up and bites my hand or tries to stand where I’m cleaning. (Other than that she really is a great piggy and loves to be pet and played with)

Hi!

Try these piggy whispering tips to assert your authority and establish a piggy hierarchy with you at the top. Make sure that you invite your sow into your herd and tell her you love her before you tell her off and always end with a gesture of love.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Is she a single piggy? In that case you are at the receiving end of her trying to establish a hierarchy with her at the top due to the power vacuum as she doesn't have company of her own kind to socialise with. Guinea pigs are group animals that live in a strictly hierarchical society with round the clock interaction and company and they continue to think in that frame work like you continue to think as a human of your own social and cultural background.
If you want to replace what she doesn't have, you have to think like a guinea pig, but if at all possible, please find her a same sex mate of her own kind. That is the best and most loving gift you can ever make her.
Companionship

 

[Ethan3wilson]

When you say 'bite', do you mean she hurts you? Or is it just nibbling?

Her behavior sounds normal to me. One of my pigs does that, but he is playing. He keeps running around my hands and sniffing and nibbling them while I'm cleaning. He's always popcorning and chutting, so that gives away his happy state. Is it possible she's just trying to bond with you? What's her body language like?

Her body language is very confrontational, she’ll even rumble or growl at me. After reading the other comments I’ve realize that since she is alone I’m probably just receiving extra moodiness from her as I’m her only outlet. That being said I have plans to pick her up a friend within this week!

 

[Ethan3wilson]

My sow does the same. She thinks shes in charge of me and her husboar Bernie

I’m getting her a friend of the same sex in hopes that she won’t bottle up her emotions or behavior. Hopefully they will interact with each other and blow off some steam as far as curiosity and active-ness goes

 

[Ethan3wilson]

Hi!

Try these piggy whispering tips to assert your authority and establish a piggy hierarchy with you at the top. Make sure that you invite your sow into your herd and tell her you love her before you tell her off and always end with a gesture of love.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Is she a single piggy? In that case you are at the receiving end of her trying to establish a hierarchy with her at the top due to the power vacuum as she doesn't have company of her own kind to socialise with. Guinea pigs are group animals that live in a strictly hierarchical society with round the clock interaction and company and they continue to think in that frame work like you continue to think as a human of your own social and cultural background.
If you want to replace what she doesn't have, you have to think like a guinea pig, but if at all possible, please find her a same sex mate of her own kind. That is the best and most loving gift you can ever make her.
Companionship

Thank you! I actually have plans to get her a friend this week from a very reputable location because I’ve considered what you said about the lack of another guinea pig outlet for her energy. Last night I witnessed her rumble strut in front of me for the first time while she was eating hay. She’s only 6 months old and I’ve heard of other sows of the same age rumblestrutting their humans as well so I’m just assuming that she’s moody not only because she’s a teenage piggy but also because she’s alone and has no other outlet. (I spend time with her and handle her so no one needs to worry that she’s kept strictly in isolation, but yes I am getting a companion very soon!)

 

[Ethan3wilson]

Mine usually a sniff around and are curious about what I am doing while I spot clean. Does your piggy have a friend?

No she doesn’t yet, I actually have plans to get one within this week though. That’s a very good point thank you!

 

[DMS260820]

I’m getting her a friend of the same sex in hopes that she won’t bottle up her emotions or behavior. Hopefully they will interact with each other and blow off some steam as far as curiosity and active-ness goes

Its honestly is the best thing ive done for my guinea pigs when i put them together. I went for a boar friend for my sow. But then i had to get him neutered and wait the 6 weeks. But well worth it. Good luck .

My sow went from sleeping loads and looking bored and not eating enough hay to now being very very active, always excited and wheeking, eating loads of hay with her boar

 

[Merab]

Glad to hear your piggy will have a friend soon.
Have a read of the bonding threads on the forum before you start - I found it saved my sanity when I bonded piggies last year.
Please can we see pictures

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! I actually have plans to get her a friend this week from a very reputable location because I’ve considered what you said about the lack of another guinea pig outlet for her energy. Last night I witnessed her rumble strut in front of me for the first time while she was eating hay. She’s only 6 months old and I’ve heard of other sows of the same age rumblestrutting their humans as well so I’m just assuming that she’s moody not only because she’s a teenage piggy but also because she’s alone and has no other outlet. (I spend time with her and handle her so no one needs to worry that she’s kept strictly in isolation, but yes I am getting a companion very soon!)

She is behaving very much like a hormonal teenager that is coming into season! If you can find a neutered boar, that would be best as at her age it is very rare to not work out.

If you want to see what a full blown season at that age looks like, have a look at this thread here. It is not for the faint-hearted!
When Sows Experience A Strong Season (videos)
Sow Behaviour

 

[Ethan3wilson]

Glad to hear your piggy will have a friend soon.
Have a read of the bonding threads on the forum before you start - I found it saved my sanity when I bonded piggies last year.
Please can we see pictures

 

[tatals]

Omg, so adorable!

 

[Seven7]

Super cute piggies.

 

[Merab]

So cute