Suddenly biting

[Guineasoftx]

I have a male and spayed female that have been together for over a year and half,
My male seems to keep biting at the female when they’re snuggled in their house together. It’s been a recent development over the last about 2 weeks. It’s not something he’ll do everyday , but on bad days he’ll do it like 3-5 times and you can hear the female scream

it’s never blood drawn and the female never seems bothered besides when it happens, I just wasn’t sure if this is normal or something to worry for. He’s always been a sweet pig. No obvious signs of illness or discomfort and is very active otherwise.

 

[Wiebke]

I have a male and spayed female that have been together for over a year and half,
My male seems to keep biting at the female when they’re snuggled in their house together. It’s been a recent development over the last about 2 weeks. It’s not something he’ll do everyday , but on bad days he’ll do it like 3-5 times and you can hear the female scream

it’s never blood drawn and the female never seems bothered besides when it happens, I just wasn’t sure if this is normal or something to worry for. He’s always been a sweet pig. No obvious signs of illness or discomfort and is very active otherwise.

Hi!

Nipping is a mild dominance behaviour. It is a gesture of power that only lets the under-piggy feel the teeth but doesn't hurt or harm. The correct response by the under-piggy is submission screaming (which is NOT from pain).

However, if this behaviour is new, then it would be worth to have your piggies checked for a potential health issue. Has your house got two exits so your sow can remove herself easily if she is willing to? Some piggies prefer to rather scream the house down than move just a jot further away. My (neutered) Alan and his wife Brathlys are like that; she is emotionally very dependent on him and he does push her around a bit every now and then.

Please take the time to read up on dominance behaviours; you should find it interesting and helpful in understanding what is going on. Here are some links that deal with key social behaviours:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
" Biting" And What You Can Do (Biting, Tweaking, Nibbling and Nipping)

 

[Guineasoftx]

Hi!

Nipping is a mild dominance behaviour. It is a gesture of power that only lets the under-piggy feel the teeth but doesn't hurt or harm. The correct response by the under-piggy is submission screaming (which is NOT from pain).

However, if this behaviour is new, then it would be worth to have your piggies checked for a potential health issue. Has your house got two exits so your sow can remove herself easily if she is willing to? Some piggies prefer to rather scream the house down than move just a jot further away. My (neutered) Alan and his wife Brathlys are like that; she is emotionally very dependent on him and he does push her around a bit every now and then.

Please take the time to read up on dominance behaviours; you should find it interesting and helpful in understanding what is going on. Here are some links that deal with key social behaviours:
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
" Biting" And What You Can Do (Biting, Tweaking, Nibbling and Nipping)

No they’re single entrances, and I’m not sure what’s going on when he does it besides them being laying against each other in their house. Which they typically do just fine. But lately he’s been very nippy when they’re laying together and has been chasing her a lot more and even trying to hump. That’s when it all started, him trying to hump her constantly one day.

 

[Wiebke]

No they’re single entrances, and I’m not sure what’s going on when he does it besides them being laying against each other in their house. Which they typically do just fine. But lately he’s been very nippy when they’re laying together and has been chasing her a lot more and even trying to hump. That’s when it all started, him trying to hump her constantly one day.

How old is he? And how long since the hormone spike?

 

[Guineasoftx]

He’s about 2 years old. And it’s been about 2ish weeks he’s been this way. But it’s not constant. He can go days without doing anything to her. And then have days where he just won’t stop being a butthead.

 

[Wiebke]

He’s about 2 years old. And it’s been about 2ish weeks he’s been this way. But it’s not constant. He can go days without doing anything to her. And then have days where he just won’t stop being a butthead.

Young adults boars can still have the odd massive hormone spike. Obviously his hormones haven't completely died down. What he wants is obviously a bit more space now that he is in the prime of his life but being snuggled up together in a cosy it is not possible.

I would look recommend to ensure that at least one cosy has two exits but as long as it is just him throwing his weight around a little in a mild way (which nipping is as long as it is not incessant and persistent over a long period together with more obvious dominance behaviours that could potentially amount to bullying), then there is nothing much you can do.
Group dynamic change over the course of a lifetime. Your boy is currently in the prime of his life and he is the leader - and is a bit more insisting on getting the space he feels he is due.

 

[Guineasoftx]

Young adults boars can still have the odd massive hormone spike. Obviously his hormones haven't completely died down. What he wants is obviously a bit more space now that he is in the prime of his life but being snuggled up together in a cosy it is not possible.

I would look recommend to ensure that at least one cosy has two exits but as long as it is just him throwing his weight around a little in a mild way (which nipping is as long as it is not incessant and persistent over a long period together with more obvious dominance behaviours that could potentially amount to bullying), then there is nothing much you can do.
Group dynamic change over the course of a lifetime. Your boy is currently in the prime of his life and he is the leader - and is a bit more insisting on getting the space he feels he is due.

Thank you. I just wanted to make sure I’m not looking at more mood swings due to health. He’s other wise maintaining a weight(besides the normal 10-15g difference) no sneezing and is active. They’re in a 2x4 c&c with multiple houses but always seem to want to snuggle.
I’ll be ordering hides with two entrances soon. So I suppose I’ll keep an eye in him. Thank you !

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. I just wanted to make sure I’m not looking at more mood swings due to health. He’s other wise maintaining a weight(besides the normal 10-15g difference) no sneezing and is active. They’re in a 2x4 c&c with multiple houses but always seem to want to snuggle.
I’ll be ordering hides with two entrances soon. So I suppose I’ll keep an eye in him. Thank you !

If your girl is a 'screamer' rather than a 'mover', then at least you have given her the choice and can have peace of mind.