Guinea pig nips me when I take things out of his cage?

Madoka

Madoka

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Hello!

First thread on this site. I'm from the US, and I thought this would be the best place to ask since I can't find an answer and this was the most active guinea pig forum.

I have a just turned one year old boy guinea pig, and in the mornings when I take out his food bowls to clean them, fill them etc., he tries to go after me and nips me if I'm not fast enough or he's close enough to do so. (He doesn't sink his teeth into my skin or anything, so it is a nip and not a full on bite) I will say that when I first got him when he was three months, he did not do that at all..I would say it was recently in the last few months (2-3 months?) that he started doing that.

Now he's normally a very well behaved pig; he doesn't nip unless if he's very upset about something such as a vet exam or nail trimming. So I'm a bit confused on why the aggression about his food bowls, because I've never had a guinea pig do that before.

Would anyone know the reason for this, and is there any way to get him to encourage him to not do that?
 
Hello, welcome to the forum, lovely to have you here :)

That is unusual to say the least! We have a biting guide here

Is it only with food bowls? of any other items you try and remove, if it is only with the food bowl I would think he is mistaking it for food...
 
Madoka said:
Hello!

First thread on this site. I'm from the US, and I thought this would be the best place to ask since I can't find an answer and this was the most active guinea pig forum.

I have a just turned one year old boy guinea pig, and in the mornings when I take out his food bowls to clean them, fill them etc., he tries to go after me and nips me if I'm not fast enough or he's close enough to do so. (He doesn't sink his teeth into my skin or anything, so it is a nip and not a full on bite) I will say that when I first got him when he was three months, he did not do that at all..I would say it was recently in the last few months (2-3 months?) that he started doing that.

Now he's normally a very well behaved pig; he doesn't nip unless if he's very upset about something such as a vet exam or nail trimming. So I'm a bit confused on why the aggression about his food bowls, because I've never had a guinea pig do that before.

Would anyone know the reason for this, and is there any way to get him to encourage him to not do that?
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

Your boy is now a teenager and much more territorial; you need to assert your dominance (and love) in the hierarchy that - for him - is obviously not clear in your relationship, and it will stop.
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

It would be good if you considered getting your boy a same sex friend in the longer term. Guinea pig are group animals that live in a strictly hierarchical society with round the clock company and interaction. He is clearly missing that - and he is going to miss out every single time you don't have the time to interact with him for hours every day for the 5-7 years that are the normal average life span of a healthy guinea pig.
Companionship
 
sport_billy said:
Hello, welcome to the forum, lovely to have you here :)

That is unusual to say the least! We have a biting guide here

Is it only with food bowls? of any other items you try and remove, if it is only with the food bowl I would think he is mistaking it for food...
Click to expand...


Thank you!

Very much so! I can only think of him doing that with his food bowls. Now come to think of it, he will, if he's in an extra grumpy mood that morning, chatter his teeth as well while he's waiting for me to give him food.

What a moody boy about his bowls!
 
Madoka said:
Thank you!

Very much so! I can only think of him doing that with his food bowls. Now come to think of it, he will, if he's in an extra grumpy mood that morning, chatter his teeth as well while he's waiting for me to give him food.

What a moody boy about his bowls!
Click to expand...

Ours girls teeth chatter before food also... :)) I may start doing it at tea times when I want my dinner too!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

Your boy is now a teenager and much more territorial; you need to assert your dominance (and love) in the hierarchy that - for him - is obviously not clear in your relationship, and it will stop.
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Boars: A guide to successful companionship.

It would be good if you considered getting your boy a same sex friend in the longer term. Guinea pig are group animals that live in a strictly hierarchical society with round the clock company and interaction. He is clearly missing that - and he is going to miss out every single time you don't have the time to interact with him for hours every day for the 5-7 years that are the normal average life span of a healthy guinea pig.
Companionship
Click to expand...

Ah, that's useful to know! I will have to try that tomorrow morning when he attempts to do it again. Thank you! :)
 
sport_billy said:
Ours girls teeth chatter before food also... :)) I may start doing it at tea times when I want my dinner too!
Click to expand...

Haha he only does it when he's feeling grumpy for some reason! Otherwise, it's just him wheeking loudly for his food as soon as he hears me! :D
 
1 of my boys does this. He is 14 months old. He does it when I'm cleaning out his cage. Going in to feed him, tickle him and remove food bowls are quite acceptable but removing soiled substrate or hay is not appreciated. He is much better than he used to be and never hurts me at all. He doesn't really nip but kind of tooth buts me if that makes sense. He very quickly runs away afterwards. I know I shouldn't but I can't help finding it amusing.
 
There isnt much more to add compared to all the other advice that's on here. If he knows his food comes from the bowl he might think you are trying to take his food.
Welcome to the forum! x :nod:
 
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