I have a question. So my Guinea pig likes to nibble onto my hand (not hard to the point it bleed) and pulls my hand towards him? Is that him just biting or is that his way of asking for something? Because I’ll pull my hand away and scratch his head and he’ll be fine.
Guinea Pig Pulling Hand
- Thread starter BuffyG
- Start date
Hi and welcome!
He is just interacting with you. Tweaking can have a dominance aspect (apart from exploring) which you can easily sort out with a spot of piggy whispering, giving him the correct response for any unwanted behaviours in his own socially interactive language the way he would be dealt with by an elder of his own species.
Is your boy a single or does he have a companion? That additionally will shape the way he interacts with you. A single guinea pig will transfer their own social species needs of round the clock interaction and stimulation in a hierarchical society fully onto you; including all the boundaries pushing and dominance stuff.
You may find these links here very helpful in understanding what is going on and being able to deal with your boy in his social framing without having to wait for him to figure out humans.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You?
A - Z of Guinea Pig Behaviours
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Hello, thank you for your response! Unfortunately he’s just a single as my parents won’t let me get a second Guinea pig for him to be with. I make sure to interact with him as much as possible when I get home from work and school. He seems excited when I come back so I’m doing something right, lol. I’ll definitely check out those links you provided, thanks again!
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
I’m afraid no amount of interaction with him can replace the company of another piggy. One of their welfare rights is actually providing them with company of their own kind. When you brought him home, that responsibility fell on your parents. Could you perhaps show them the last thread and speak to them about getting him a friend (through a rescue)?
If they still won’t budge, then I’m afraid you have to consider what is best for your boy.
If they still won’t budge, then I’m afraid you have to consider what is best for your boy.
I agree with the piggie whispering links above (specifically the 'Who's the Boss?') one for managing problem behaviors, including pigs who like to nip or yank on people's skin. Our youngish pig, Tomie, definitely thinks she is the boss of the humans. Pushing up her nose but still reassuring her that she is loved member of the group has helped her, at least a little bit, come to terms with the fact that she is not, in fact, the boss of us. It's been a two steps forward, one step back, kind of process (her basic personality seems to be assertive, curious, active, and generally kind of hyper) but we no longer have to really watch our fingers around her.
Dindypig
Adult Guinea Pig
Our Holly used to pull at my skin when she wanted to go back to her pen for a wee.