Guinea pig nipping

[Cookie123]

Hi everyone, I have two baby guinea pigs who are both girls . I have had them for 3 weeks and they are both doing well, eating lots and seem happy. One of my girls has started to nip me when I am holding her. She doesn’t nip hard or draw blood. My other girl hasn’t done this at all so I just wondering whether this is normal behaviour or is there something I can do to stop this . These are my first guinea pigs. Thanks here’s some pics of my girls .

 

[Bill & Ted]

She may be trying to tell you she want a pee?

 

[dannif_piggies]

Congratulations on your new bundle of joys! They're both adorable! In terms of the nipping. Some piggies just don't take to being handled as well as others, or it could be your piggy is mistaking your finger for food. Biting/nipping is rarely an aggressive behaviour when it comes to piggies. It can indicate annoyance. For example my girl Willow, will nip my finger if I'm holding her a way which she doesn't like. I've worked out that she's only comfortable being held completely on my lap/on my chest when laying flat. If I'm holding her in my arms, supporting with both hands, she's not a fan, hence why she nips me when it's claw cut time as I hold her upright against my stomach. It's all about getting to know what works for you and your piggy. Make sure your hands don't smell of any food before handling to eliminate your piggy confusing your finger for food.

I'm not totall clued up on piggy behaviours but I hope this gives you some advice and guidance until a more experienced member of staff comes along

 

[sport_billy]

Good post above by @dannif_piggies

Piggies will gently nip for various reasons, Vimto used to nibble me to let me know she wanted to go hone during laptime... Normally for a wee or sometimes she just wanted to go back and it is right to respect their wishes, others are testign to see if you are foo

Gorgeous piggies by the way!

 

[Nassala]

One of my piggies used to do this - it settled down after a while and he stopped. I put it down to slight panic or nervousness when I held him, since it only happened when I was carrying him, not when I had him on my lap. Some pigs may feel more secure if you use a blanket or towel when you carry them, just wrap the blanket around them. If you have a cuddle cup that might work too.
Good luck!

 

[lexi468]

She may be trying to tell you she want a pee?

Mine used to do that!

 

[PiggieNPooh]

my two seem to nip at things they haven’t seen before or are curious about . like when i get a new toy or hideys for them, they’ll always give it “the nip check” and not do it again . they also do it to me sometimes especially when they first see me like in the morning or after school but they only do one . so it might only be mine but i just put nipping down to curiosity

 

[piggieminder]

" Biting" And What You Can Do

You may find the above guide useful, I did!