Extreme Biting

[WinterAddams]

Every time I pick my guinea pig Bubbles up she'll bite me anywhere she can find skin. My neck is red as I'm writting this.
She has been a biter since the beginning but now its been getting worse. She'll make little squeaks whenever I'm having lap time with her and bite me all the time.
She doesn't have any health issues that I know of or any signs of mites.
When she is in her cage she'll let me pet her without issue. Its only when she's on my lap that she'll do this.
Any idea of what I could do? Does she just hate being on my lap?

 

[Niikkeii]

It really must be just trust issues, the only reason she let's you pet her in the cage because Bubbles feels safe and well... Unlikely to get hurt.
Or there really must be something in your house/apartment that she is scared of.

 

[WinterAddams]

It really must be just trust issues, the only reason she let's you pet her in the cage because Bubbles feels safe and well... Unlikely to get hurt.
Or there really must be something in your house/apartment that she is scared of.

Anything I can do? Maybe wrap her in some kind of cuddly fabric? My piggies seem to enjoy that very much.

 

[Betsy]

Anything I can do? Maybe wrap her in some kind of cuddly fabric? My piggies seem to enjoy that very much.

How long have you had bubbles? Have you tried hand feeding her some of her favourite veg while she is still in her cage? You have to let her know that you are not a predator about to eat her as she doesn't know that. You have to take it at a piggies pace. Sometimes this can take a long time.

If you have any hideys try to encourage her in there and then gently take her out in the hidey pop her on your lap for a short period of time and put her back again. @sport_billy is the best at explaining properly.

Also have a read of these threads they will be able to help even if you have had guinea pigs before it won't hurt to refresh your memory!

www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/new-owners-online-starter-booklet-for-really-helpful-advice.129375/

www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-pick-up-and-weigh-your-guinea-pig.126359/

www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-understand-guinea-pig-instincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/

www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/biting-and-what-you-can-do.133919/

 

[Wiebke]

Every time I pick my guinea pig Bubbles up she'll bite me anywhere she can find skin. My neck is red as I'm writting this.
She has been a biter since the beginning but now its been getting worse. She'll make little squeaks whenever I'm having lap time with her and bite me all the time.
She doesn't have any health issues that I know of or any signs of mites.
When she is in her cage she'll let me pet her without issue. Its only when she's on my lap that she'll do this.
Any idea of what I could do? Does she just hate being on my lap?

Hi! Please read the tips in our biting guide and use our piggy whispering advice to tell your girl in her own language that you are the top pig, that you love her but that you do not accept her tweaking.
I have adopted a fair number of piggies that have come with a warning "she bites". Within three days with me, they always stop. I do not need to use force, just show them love in piggy terms and establish my dominance in a friendly way. It is very effective without being drastic.
" Biting" And What You Can Do
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language

 

[Niikkeii]

It really must be just trust issues, the only reason she let's you pet her in the cage because Bubbles feels safe and well... Unlikely to get hurt.
Or there really must be something in your house/apartment that she is scared of.

Anything I can do? Maybe wrap her in some kind of cuddly fabric? My piggies seem to enjoy that very much.

Yes, whatever makes them feel safe is the best option.

 

[sport_billy]

She i scared, one of our previous piggies Vimto was a biter becasue she felt unsafe on laps she would nip really hard but allow me to interact with her in the cage. Food is the best way to bribe, use food when you get round to lap times also. Start lap time for a short amount of time at first and build up. We started off we laptimes for 1 minute with then pop them back - do this for around two weeks, slowly increasing the time in 30 second increments after two weeks each week . They will soon associate you with food and good things but at first it takes a while to gain their trust. Plus the short times will make them realise they are going back to their safe place. You can also have them in in a cosy so they will feel more secure

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig shows you a stress free way to pick up your piggy