Eating hair!

[Nadsgirl75]

Hi, my two boys are quite young, 12 weeks or so and are displaying quite a bit of what I think is normal dominance behaviour from what I can gather looking at the great guides that I’ve found in this forum. However, this weekend , my beautiful Mickey, who has the most gorgeous hair has been severely cropped on the top of his head. No injuries, no marks no noise, but when he appeared out of his hidy he has drastically reduced the amount of hair on top of his head! I’m guessing Donald ate it! Is this normal, will it harm him? Is it dominance or just grooming gone crazy!

 

[Claire W]

It's just grooming gone crazy. Nothing to worry about

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, my two boys are quite young, 12 weeks or so and are displaying quite a bit of what I think is normal dominance behaviour from what I can gather looking at the great guides that I’ve found in this forum. However, this weekend , my beautiful Mickey, who has the most gorgeous hair has been severely cropped on the top of his head. No injuries, no marks no noise, but when he appeared out of his hidy he has drastically reduced the amount of hair on top of his head! I’m guessing Donald ate it! Is this normal, will it harm him? Is it dominance or just grooming gone crazy!

Barbering is not harmful to guinea pigs; it is not at all uncommon for especially new young companions to give a long-haired adult a short haircut within a week. It is usually growing back and mostly nibbled awaya gain to the same extent.
More information on barbering: Barbering ( Eating Hair)

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Ah that’s great... I’ve been quite nervous about them getting along. Never had guinea pigs before and really hoping these little guys get on ok! All good signs so far nothing out of the normal and even some grooming and ear licking which I think is quite a positive thing. They also have 2 of everything to cut down the opportunities for fights!

 

[Wiebke]

Ah that’s great... I’ve been quite nervous about them getting along. Never had guinea pigs before and really hoping these little guys get on ok! All good signs so far nothing out of the normal and even some grooming and ear licking which I think is quite a positive thing. They also have 2 of everything to cut down the opportunities for fights!

Here is our bonding guide with lots of social behaviours. You may find both guides helpful and informative.
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Thanks. Does this also apply to piggies eating human hair? Donald is in my shoulder any chance he gets, grooming me!

 

[Claire W]

Yes, the same applies to eating human hair