Licking/nibbling near other guinea pig's eye

[OkiDoki]

All my guinea pigs often lick or nibble near my Swiss Teddy's left eye. Even the 8-week-old baby that I adopted 3 weeks ago has started doing that. They don't do that with the other eye or to any of the other piggies. Has anyone got an idea what kind of behaviour this is or what it could mean?

 

[DMS260820]

I know ear nibbling is dominance, but i dont know about eyes, maybe the same. I'm sure someone can answer this soon ☺

 

[Wiebke]

All my guinea pigs often lick or nibble near my Swiss Teddy's left eye. Even the 8-week-old baby that I adopted 3 weeks ago has started doing that. They don't do that with the other eye or to any of the other piggies. Has anyone got an idea what kind of behaviour this is or what it could mean?

Hi and welcome!

What you are seeing are piggy kisses; they are a sign of affection and a reaffirmation of a bond.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

 

[Swissgreys]

Lucy does this often to Harry - particularly when they have been separated for lap time or nail clipping.
She then often uses it as a sneaky chance to nip in and barber his whiskers

 

[Merab]

I often see mine licking each other’s eyes - it’s so sweet to see them showing affection to each other.

 

[OkiDoki]

Thank you, and thanks for the links. It's interesting that she's the only piggy they do that to.

According to the rescue where I got my castrated boar (and where my girls went on a date with him), she's the dominant sow. We had been making fun of her being indifferent and imperturbable about everything Her behaviour with new, younger girls is exactly as described in the part about establishing a hierarchy when leadership is not in question, so interesting. With the last introduction it seemed like she hadn't even noticed there was a new piggy.

So maybe they only show her affection because she's the dominant sow?

 

[YvonneBlue]

It might be worth mentioning to your vet next time you visit them. Our piggy Mavis has a blocked tear duct and the other piggies all lick this eye. The vet said it can occasionally be a sign of teeth issues (in this case it wasn't).

 

[JenniferG]

I saw this for the first time yesterday...Rusty nibbled underneath Clove's right eye. I thought she'd bitten her at first as it was very quick, but Clove didn't seem to mind and I remembered that they show affection in that area.