Female piggie biting a lot when picked up...

[JayneG]

Hello everyone. I haven't been on for ages, sorry!

I wanted to ask advice on my friends piggy. She has two girls who share and get on well. The piggy I am asking about is around 6 months old. She lets people pet her head, but really hates being picked up and bites (hard) every time.

My friend took her to her local vet as she wondered if this may be a sign that she was in discomfort for some reason, but the vet could find nothing wrong.

I guess it could just be that she hates being picked up and needs more time to get used to it, but does anyone have any advice. Hopefully it's nothing untoward. I do wonder whether she could possibly be in pain and biting because of this?

Thank you! Jayne

 

[bubble&squeak4ever]

She probably just doesn't like being picked up! Suggest to your friend that it might be better to pick her up in a tube, cozy or house.

 

[JayneG]

Thanks. Yes that's a good idea and hopefully eventually the biting will stop. She draws blood so I think it's putting my friend off picking her up which of course is worse as she'll never get used to it then!

 

[Stewybus]

She probably needs a little lap time when your friend can maybe try feeding her treats or just a little fresh grass or dandelions. Once she realises that hands bring nice things she may be less likely to bite them in future. Maybe your friend should wear gardening gloves until she stops biting.

 

[teadragon]

This might seem a strange question but how is your friend picking her up? Is she properly supporting her piggie and holding her close to her chest?

It may also be an idea to invite your friend to give the little girl a round of fungal treatment by using the gorgeous guineas shampoo: http://gorgeousguineas.com/microneem.html in case the reason she's biting is that she's in discomfort. Her vet might have been looking for lice and not specifically for a fungal infection or mites.

 

[Mother Hubbard]

This is what I love about this forum, great advice!

Tell your friend, it's going to take time and lots of patience, she'll get there. But the rewards are worth it.

 

[Guinea-pigGaga]

Regrettably, some animals simply do not like being held! However, your friend need not fear interacting with the sow in question!

Nevertheless, it is quite possible that your friend's sow will never be truly tame - Regardless of the amount of effort, energy, or time your friend invests in attempting to address this behaviour! A common misconception is that if one persists in attempting to handle such an animal, the animal will eventually surrender, and begin to enjoy being handled - In reality, if one persists in attempting to handle such an animal, the individual can make the animal's behaviour worse!

However, one must learn to understand the animal's behaviour, and respect the animal's personal space! And one must continually handle with confidence!

I have a sow that was/is very much like your friend's sow - I cannot handle her as much as I handle my other guinea pigs, and, when I do handle her, I can only handle her for a short period of time before she becomes irritable, and will attempt to nip/bite! In the first month of keeping this sow, I was bitten at least a dozen times, and, while she did not draw blood, she most definitely meant to cause damage - Evidently, this sow will never be a docile guinea pig. . . I have been told by another individual that I would do right to 'get rid' of this sow! However, I can now tell when this sow has had enough of being handled, and will return her to her hutch before her behaviour becomes unmanageable - I am happy to report that, by learning when this sow has had enough of being handled, and reacting before her behaviour becomes unmanageable, I have not been nipped/bitten in a while!

Lastly, I would recommend that only your friend handles the sow in question - Your friend should not allow someone who is inexperienced, unknowledgeable, or anxious/fearful to handle their sow! For example, children!

Personally, while I would attempt to tame the sow in question, I would very much accept that the sow may never be truly tame, and would love the sow for who she is! Likewise, while my sow may be challenging, I admire her spirit, and can assure you that my sow will not be going anywhere - I will not be 'getting rid' of her!