Difficult Guinea Pig

[Mshannon93]

Hey all!

I got my first guinea pig last year. When i first got her she was super sweet and didn’t seem to have a problem (she was also just itty bitty). Now moving more closer to her 1st birthday she can’t stand to be handled.. bites (where blood is drawn) and just overall hates me or my mother. I work shift work so on my week away my mother takes care of her but does not take her out as she’s too squirmy and my mother is older . I try to handle her everyday when I’m home but not so much anymore because of her change in behaviour. I’ve tried gaining her trust all over again by sitting by her home and chilling with her. Giving her treats from my hand but still anytime I even try to take her out to deep clean or change her bedding she freaks out.... This is kind of my last resort before having to rehome her... about 3 months ago I found out I’m either extremely allergic to her, or the bedding (which I’ve changed to fleece blankets after the first ordeal) but I still break out in hives and have a hard time breathing. I’ve been living on reactin for months now lol

Can anyone help??

 

[Incredipigs]

You could take her to the vets to make sure she's not ill or in pain, that could make her feisty.
My piggie, Darcy is a very feisty pig, She hates being touched or held so maybe it's just your pigs personality.

 

[Incredipigs]

And Welcome to the forum

 

[Mshannon93]

You could take her to the vets to make sure she's not ill or in pain, that could make her feisty.
My piggie, Darcy is a very feisty pig, She hates being touched or held so maybe it's just your pigs personality.

I recently just took her to the vet for a full checkup and everything was great they said other than her being a little chunky monkey lol I’m just worried that if no matter what I try to do with her she’ll just be aggressive. I miss my dorky sweet little piggy lol

 

[YvonneBlue]

Have you read the advice here on the forum regarding picking up your piggy. Maybe try using a fleece cozy to pick her up in then she will feel safer.
Also, piggies are happier if they have a friend so maybe she is a little unhappy being on her own.

 

[Mshannon93]

Have you read the advice here on the forum regarding picking up your piggy. Maybe try using a fleece cozy to pick her up in then she will feel safer.
Also, piggies are happier if they have a friend so maybe she is a little unhappy being on her own.

I have another named Lucy and they get along great! I’ll definitely try the blanket again but she bites that too and it’s a run around even just trying to pick her up

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum


Sorry to hear you are having problems with one of your piggies.
They can be complicated sometimes and it sounds like she is hitting the teenage years with all of the associated hormones that come with it!

If medical problems have been ruled out (and it sounds like they have) then I would be tempted to take it right back to basics with her again.

There are some excellent guides here on settling 'new piggies (or resettling older ones) and piggy whispering behavior that can really help your bond.
Settling In And Making Friends With Guinea Pigs - A Guide