Guinea pig biting

[Eva121]

I have a 2 month old sow named Igby. She super sweet, she lets me pet her, and she sleeps on my lap. But she bites me. A lot. Not when I pet her or anything, just randomly. Today while they were running around on my bed, I sat next to them as I always do. They ran around and climbed on my lap and so forth. I was sitting normally and Igby started climbing around my arm and then stopped at my hand. She started scratching my hand and biting my knuckles, and it really hurt. It left a small red scratch, no big deal. I just am wondering why she bites me so much, and why she was scratching my hand? And she bites my fingers a lot! So maybe shes just a biter and cant help it, but let me know what you think!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Best to keep your fingers away from her mouth. Maybe she thinks you have food in them?

 

[Wiebke]

I have a 2 month old sow named Igby. She super sweet, she lets me pet her, and she sleeps on my lap. But she bites me. A lot. Not when I pet her or anything, just randomly. Today while they were running around on my bed, I sat next to them as I always do. They ran around and climbed on my lap and so forth. I was sitting normally and Igby started climbing around my arm and then stopped at my hand. She started scratching my hand and biting my knuckles, and it really hurt. It left a small red scratch, no big deal. I just am wondering why she bites me so much, and why she was scratching my hand? And she bites my fingers a lot! So maybe shes just a biter and cant help it, but let me know what you think!

Hi!

Guinea pigs are group animals; they live in a strictly hierarchical society and see everything in those terms. You have never taken leadership; she has taken over the vacuum.

Please welcome Igby into the group you are leading (ear stroking asserts that you are in charge), tell her that you love her (stroke around the eyes), assert your authority when she tweaks (gently but firmly forcing her chin up when you tell her off) but then tell her you love her again.
This sounds a bit mad, but this is exactly the way an experienced piggy is integrating a fractious newbie gently but firmly into the group. You will find that our 'piggy whispering' trick is surprisingly effective and that your relationship with Igby will become a lot more affectionate as a result.
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

As stated above, guinea pigs are group animals that should not be kept alone. Igby is still a sub-teenager at an age when she is really desperate for round the clock company and guidance from her own kind. Company can also help boost overall health and a longer life.
Sadly so far Switzerland is still the only country with an animal protection law that forbids keeping any group species on their own, which includes specifically guinea pigs. The best and most loving gift you can make her in all her life is to not keep her alone!
Companionship

You may also find our new owners collection interesting and helpful. We are covering a wide range of topics we get the most questions and worries about from new owners. The above mentioned links are all part of it, but there is so much more truly helpful stuff!
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

 

[Eva121]

Hi!

Guinea pigs are group animals; they live in a strictly hierarchical society and see everything in those terms. You have never taken leadership; she has taken over the vacuum.

Please welcome Igby into the group you are leading (ear stroking asserts that you are in charge), tell her that you love her (stroke around the eyes), assert your authority when she tweaks (gently but firmly forcing her chin up when you tell her off) but then tell her you love her again.
This sounds a bit mad, but this is exactly the way an experienced piggy is integrating a fractious newbie gently but firmly into the group. You will find that our 'piggy whispering' trick is surprisingly effective and that your relationship with Igby will become a lot more affectionate as a result.
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

As stated above, guinea pigs are group animals that should not be kept alone. Igby is still a sub-teenager at an age when she is really desperate for round the clock company and guidance from her own kind. Company can also help boost overall health and a longer life.
Sadly so far Switzerland is still the only country with an animal protection law that forbids keeping any group species on their own, which includes specifically guinea pigs. The best and most loving gift you can make her in all her life is to not keep her alone!
Companionship

You may also find our new owners collection interesting and helpful. We are covering a wide range of topics we get the most questions and worries about from new owners. The above mentioned links are all part of it, but there is so much more truly helpful stuff!
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Thanks for the info! I will definitely try and establish my leadership. Don't worry, Igby does have a friend named Petunia. They get along quiet well. I just didn't mention Petunia since she barely bites.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the info! I will definitely try and establish my leadership. Don't worry, Igby does have a friend named Petunia. They get along quiet well. I just didn't mention Petunia since she barely bites.

All the best! Thank you for clearing that up! We see a fair number of single piggies from new owners on here.

 

[Armando]

Hello we got a couple weeks ago a guinea pig. Is the first we have ever owned and we dont know much about them. We have done research and we are trying our best. Matu (our guinea pig) is 2 month old and we adopted him cause his parents apparently bite him and didnt like him. We love matu but we dont understand him very well. At first he made noises and we thought he was happy but now we are reading that those might be angry noises. When we pad him he stays very still and when we try to grab him from his cage he tries to hide. Is that normal? We have red that to other people their guinea pigs run to encounter them, so we dont know and we feel very sad that he could be scared of us (he has been here over a month with us). We dont have much space for anotherone unfortunately but I'm trying to convince my wife. Is it estrictly necessary that they have a companion? And if so, which would be the best a baby biy guinea pig or an old male guinea pig. We are concern that if we end up getting another they dont like eachother as we have red they can bite each other very badly. We would hate for Matu to go theough that again (as his parents didnt like him) but we also read all the time they cant live alone. We always talk to him, pad him and be around him but we both work so he spend around 8 that I leave until 1 that i come for lunch alone, some days until 3pm until my wife comes back if i cant have lunch at home. How bad is this situation for Matu really? We are even considering giving him in adoption if that is a better option but what guarantees he will be better in another place? Id like to know 4 things:
1-how do i know if he is enjoying my cuddles/padding
2-can Matu live alone or he necessarily needs a friend?
3-whats the best option a baby male or a old male guinea pig?
4-what can i do if the potential new one and Matu dont get alone? I even considered bringing Matu to pet shop for him to have some play and him to select his friend but i dont know if that is allowed or a good idea?
If someone could give me any advise id much appreciate it. Me and Matu hope someone reads this message.
Thanks!

 

[Piggies&buns]

@Armando. It is best if you start a new thread.
In answer to your questions @Armando
Running away and hiding is very normal. They are prey animals and it can take weeks/months or in some cases years before they become tame. They aren’t cuddly creatures though and most don’t like being picked up.
Yes, it is very important that they live with another guinea pig. It is detrimental to them to be alone, they can become depressed. Whether you get him a baby or adult friend is mostly irrelevant - it is character compatibility which counts. Getting a friend for him from a rescue centre, if possible, is best because they can help ensure compatibility and be sure that they will get on and won’t fight. If you go out and buy a new pig then you have no way of knowing whether the bond will work. They may get on, but they may not and if they don’t they will need to be separated and you will then have two separate pigs in separate cages needing their own new friend to live with. Two male guinea pigs need a large cage (about 5-6 feet in length /150-180cm) as lack of space can cause two boys to fight.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum @Armando
You have been given good advice by @Piggies&buns and there is also good advice on the forum threads for new owners.
Many guinea pigs will never like being picked up and cuddled. I have 3 sows who are happy to be stroked in their cage but who do not like cuddles.
It takes time and patience to win their trust. You are doing well, asking questions is the sign of a caring owner.
Please let us see pictures of Matu

 

[Armando]

Hi guys (@Merab’s Slave and Piggies & buns). Ill follow up your advice. Ill attach some pictures of Matu

 

[Merab]

What a lovely piggy

 

[Sophie B]

I really think you should make your own thread, great advice already above