Severe Biting

[Piggielover333]

I posted a little while back about my Guinea Pig Ziina (18 weeks old) biting me. It was pretty minimal before but now it’s gotten much worse. I cannot find any information on this type of biting so I am hoping someone has some advice for me. First of all she is the least dominant pig in my group of five. She does not care to be dominant and will not fight anyone for it (including my baby who is 6 weeks old and 1/4 her size). While she is in her cage she will let me pet her head and give me piggy kisses and slight nibbles. When she is in the cage with the other girls she also is screaming almost constantly if another pig even comes within a foot of her. I’ve woken up many nights to run out to her murderous screams to find another pig snuggled up next to her and she is throwing a fit (I also spy on them during the day so I know she is not being bullied). When I remove her from her furry sisters she absolutely goes bezerk and bites anything she can get ahold of. She constantly wheeks for them if I take her into another room too. I have tried the towel technique, and every time we sit in a very quiet environment with her in the towel and I speak to her very softly and give her head pets where she prefers. Once and a great while she will relax and just lay there but majority of the time she resorts to biting me enough to break skin time after time. She doesn’t just latch on either, once she has ahold of your skin, clothing, body parts, etc she thrashes her head back and forth violently and will not let go. I do not place her back in her cage until she calms down because I do not want her to think biting gets her back in her home. She had been checked out by my cavy vet and she has no skin problems, teeth problems, illnesses, or anything else wrong from multiple vet exams/visits. I don’t really mind when she bites me because it’s only pain for a couple of minutes and I just want to help her feel better and more secure or find some advice to what could be wrong with her. I am assuming the biting is from being scared, but she is the first pig to run up to me and want pets when I get home or walk past the cage. I absolutely will not give up on my sweet baby and out of the five she is my favorite (shhh don’t tell the others). I would really appreciate any advice anyone has on how I could help her out and get her to stop biting so hard and violently. Punishment is not an option but any other advice is welcomed! Please feel free to ask any more questions if needed.

Living quarters: they all live in 3 combined Midwest habitats with fleece bedding which I switch out daily. All 5 have their own pigglos and I have 3 water bottles, 2 food bowls, and 2 hay feeders. None of the pigs bully her when she tries to eat or drink ever. She is regularly gaining weight because I track them in a binder and weigh them weekly. They also get daily floor time in a space that is about 20’x6’. She runs around like mad during floor time and popcorns like crazy.

Food: unlimited oxbow orchard grass, oxbow young Guinea Pig pellets, veggies (mixture daily), fruit 1x a week, and an oxbow vitamin c tab for each daily.

Other: they all regularly get nail trims and teeth checks from me so I make sure nothing is wrong.

Pic attached: the black girl is my Ziina darling.

 

[PerpLexxity]

Hello,
My Henry occasionally nips pretty hard to let me know i'm doing something he doesn't like, and that even hurts. Can't imagine how it would feel for Ziina to get ahold of you. Anyways, in the beginning it sounded like you have your 3 Midwest Habitats for 4 pigs and a separate cage you use for Ziina on occasion. With you trying to add Ziina on occasion to the other girls for piggy interaction. I have two theories:

*but beware i'm no expert*

She could be squealing at the other pigs because she thinks the 3 combined cages are to small and she needs more space from the other piggies. So it could be her way of saying to the other pigs 'this is my space leave me alone' you know? I happen to have the same cage as you and even with 3 Midwest Habitats combined its hard to imagine 5 pigs, with pigloos, and their necessities with proper floor space. But then again I don't know your set up and how much floor space they have with all their items in the cage.

My other theory is that she is attached to her sisters and when you take her away it gives her anxiety, making her bite you so you put her back. She bites because its the only thing she feels she can do. This sounds like more of a personality issue than illness.

It doesn't sound like she hates you, just wanting to be with her sisters but with her own space/ more space.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help.

**Btw I hope I didn't come off as rude with the whole space thing, shes a beautiful piggy**

 

[Pigwhisperer]

It sounds like severe anxiety and she is only trying to communicate with you, so I would put her back the minute she does it a) to show her you understand and b) to decrease her anxiety. If you can pet her inside their space, I'd do that, as it sounds like separation from the others is what's freaking her out. Otherwise I'd be as close as possible so she can still see them. (I've got one pig who is as laid-back as can be and one with anxiety issues; currently trying to train her not to bite me when I clip her claws!)

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Please use our guinea pig whispering tips to tell her that you love her. Make her feel comfy in her own space and get her to trust you without lap time first; she is biting in defence. Whenever you take her out do so in company of one of her calm older mates that relaxed about handling. Try to think about everything you do from the perspective of a frightened prey animal and avoid predatory behaviours as much as you can.

Please take the time to read these guides here; they will hopefully help you with all our various tips:
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

 

[Piggielover333]

Hello,
My Henry occasionally nips pretty hard to let me know i'm doing something he doesn't like, and that even hurts. Can't imagine how it would feel for Ziina to get ahold of you. Anyways, in the beginning it sounded like you have your 3 Midwest Habitats for 4 pigs and a separate cage you use for Ziina on occasion. With you trying to add Ziina on occasion to the other girls for piggy interaction. I have two theories:

*but beware i'm no expert*

She could be squealing at the other pigs because she thinks the 3 combined cages are to small and she needs more space from the other piggies. So it could be her way of saying to the other pigs 'this is my space leave me alone' you know? I happen to have the same cage as you and even with 3 Midwest Habitats combined its hard to imagine 5 pigs, with pigloos, and their necessities with proper floor space. But then again I don't know your set up and how much floor space they have with all their items in the cage.

My other theory is that she is attached to her sisters and when you take her away it gives her anxiety, making her bite you so you put her back. She bites because its the only thing she feels she can do. This sounds like more of a personality issue than illness.

It doesn't sound like she hates you, just wanting to be with her sisters but with her own space/ more space.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help.

**Btw I hope I didn't come off as rude with the whole space thing, shes a beautiful piggy**

You did not come off as rude at all! I completely understand. Thank you so much for your reply!

 

[Piggielover333]

Hi! Please use our guinea pig whispering tips to tell her that you love her. Make her feel comfy in her own space and get her to trust you without lap time first; she is biting in defence. Whenever you take her out do so in company of one of her calm older mates that relaxed about handling. Try to think about everything you do from the perspective of a frightened prey animal and avoid predatory behaviours as much as you can.

Please take the time to read these guides here; they will hopefully help you with all our various tips:
" Biting" And What You Can Do
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

Thank you so much for your reply! I will read these again and see what I can do!

 

[flowerfairy]

Mistletoe is the under pig and does not like being handled at all. She is calmer if I hold her sister Jingle as well. Perhaps your girl is afraid and would be more confident with a friend?

Good luck. Hooe you get it sorted for both your sakes.

 

[Betsy]

My Meg has separation anxiety. If I take her out of the hutch first or put her back last she squeals and calls for them. I have learnt to get her out 2nd or 3rd so she is never alone without a friend. She has always been the same since she was a baby. I guess some piggies just don't like being alone even for a few minutes.

 

[Piggielover333]

Mistletoe is the under pig and does not like being handled at all. She is calmer if I hold her sister Jingle as well. Perhaps your girl is afraid and would be more confident with a friend?

Good luck. Hooe you get it sorted for both your sakes.

I just told my boyfriend last night I was going to try taking her out with a friend today. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Piggielover333]

My Meg has separation anxiety. If I take her out of the hutch first or put her back last she squeals and calls for them. I have learnt to get her out 2nd or 3rd so she is never alone without a friend. She has always been the same since she was a baby. I guess some piggies just don't like being alone even for a few minutes.

Thank you! This is much appreciated.